This spicy lentil kale soup is hearty, delicious and pretty budget friendly. Made in one pot for easy cleanup, it’s like a little bowl of goodness for your tummy!
This soup was made for Monday. Monday gets a bad rap sometimes. But, think about it. If there wasn’t a Monday, then Friday wouldn’t be so special. Monday is taking one for the team. And if Monday wasn’t a thing, would Tuesday be the new Monday? This is too much for today.
This spicy lentil soup is totally on the healthier side so it helps wipe away any weekend indulgences … that’s what I tell myself at least.
Totally ate too much this past weekend. Fries? Yes, please! Bacon and eggs? Sure! You had that extra glass of wine. Why not?
You had a busy week. You don’t even want to look at those skinny jeans Monday morning; it’s not gonna happen. No worries, fill yourself with this goodness, and get yourself set for an awesome week!
In my opinion, it’s all about balance. If you can’t indulge every once it a while (especially on the weekend), then that’s no fun at all. A little indulgence here, a little healthier there. Nothing complicated, just like this lentil and kale soup.
Why We Love Spicy Lentil Kale Soup
- It tastes delicious!
- This soup is loaded with veggies, like kale, which adds flavour and heartiness.
- It’s pretty budget friendly with simple pantry staples, like red lentils.
- Uses ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
- It’s made in one pot for easy cleanup.
What To Serve with Soup
- Grilled cheese sandwich
- Simple green salad
- Crusty bread for dunking
- Croutons (delicious over top of the soup)
I don’t know about you, but I could eat soup all year long, even in the summer. And it’s weird because I like to say I run hot. Like, I’m usually always warm. But, offered a bowl of comforting soup and I’m all in. Hope you love this lentil soup as much as we do! It’s great on a cold day!
More Yummy Veggie Soups
If you make this spicy lentil soup recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!
This lentil kale soup was originally published in July 2015 but has been updated.
Spicy Lentil Kale Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, peeled and diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 to 2 red Thai chili peppers, minced (or to taste)
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced about ¼-inch thick
- 2 ribs celery, sliced about ¼-inch thick
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 8 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, blend tomatoes with an immersion blender or roughly mash with a potato masher to break up before using
- ½ cup dried red lentils, picked over (remove and discard any rocks, foreign objects and imperfect lentils), rinsed and drained
- 6 cups chopped kale (bite-size pieces, leaves only, no stems)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, or apple cider vinegar
- Grated Parmesan cheese, garnish to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. (I used an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven.)
- Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and chili peppers and cook for about 1 minute until garlic is fragrant.
- Add carrots, celery, thyme, oregano, salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.
- Add vegetable broth, tomatoes and lentils. Stir.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat (to about medium-low heat) to a simmer. Cook, covered, for 5 minutes. Next, stir in kale and cook for about 5 to 8 minutes until it's wilted.
- Stir in balsamic vinegar.
- Serve and garnish with Parmesan cheese (if using). Enjoy!
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen
I like both lentils and kale, but I don’t think I’ve ever combined them in one dish. I’ve never tried kale soup either. This is something that I absolutely need to try!
Girl Heart Food
So good, Ben! Nice and hearty for sure 🙂
Dana Sandonato
This looks so wonderful and hearty! I love throwing a big batch of kale into soup. It just makes it THAT much more wholesome and feelgood.
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Dana! Kale really adds a lovely heartiness, doesn’t it?
Pam Greer
I was just reading in Prevention magazine that lentils have more fiber than any other pulses! I love this soup and like you I can eat soup all year round!
Girl Heart Food
Yay for lots of fibre! Thanks Pam! Hope you get a chance to try this one out 🙂
Jill
Looks like a really delicious soup. We’re still getting snow here in April so I’m still all about soups to warm me up!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Jill! Snow here too! Where is spring? 😉
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
This is totally the perfect soup for a Monday! I love that it’s one pot and uses pantry staples! And I’m with you Dawn. I could totally eat soup year round! Especially one that is light but hearty like this one! Happy Monday!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Leanne! It’s so cold and windy out all I wanna do is curl up with a big bowl of hot soup. C’mon spring already 😉
Britt | Sweet Tea and Thyme
I saw this on Instagram! It looks so delicious and filling. And I got those chilies in the fridge right now, what a good use for them!
Girl Heart Food
It sure is 🙂 Thanks so much, Britt! The chili really adds a nice little heat 😉
Sharon
When it comes to soup I am under the ‘the simpler the better’ frame of mind. This soup has everything i’m looking for vegetables, a nice broth and also good for me.
Girl Heart Food
Me too, Sharon! Happy you like this one 🙂 Thank you!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Such a perfect soup! I love soups like this that are so tasty, but so full of goodness. You can feel that with every spoonful!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks a bunch, Jennifer!! Appreciate that 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
I think I’ll need a bowl of this when I get home from Florida Dawn! Sounds like the perfect warm up for the chilly weather! Pinned!
Girl Heart Food
That sounds like a plan!! Thanks so much, Mary Ann! Hope you have a lovely week 🙂
Shashi at SavorySpin
Hahaha – I’ve gotta agree with you, Dawn – Monday sure does get a bad rap – but (like you said) if there wasn’t a Monday, Friday wouldn’t be special at all! So yes to Monday is taking one for the team … and I don’t wanna think of Tuesday being the new Monday – I’d rather drown in a big bowl of THIS soup! Going through your ingredients, this sounds so delicious and so comforting (lentils were comfort food for me growing up) – a bowl of this and some chunky bread and I’m a happy camper!
Hoping you are doing well and your week is off to a wonderful start! XOXO
Girl Heart Food
Definitely 😉 Yes! Chunky bread and this would be total comfort food! Have a wonderful week, my friend! XOXO
Milena
I dig lentils anything, so this soup is happening, We are having issues with the weather, it is all confused as to what to do…right now seems like not wanting to let winter go away so your soup, especially with the heat element:) sounds perfect! I am the opposite of you, I always run cold, lol.
Girl Heart Food
Woo hoo! Happy to hear that! And I hear ya about the weather – super cold and windy here today and absolutely no sign of spring. A good bowl of soup is in order 😉 Thanks Milena!
David @ Spiced
It’s still quite chilly here, so a good bowl of soup sounds amazing right now! Love the flavors you’ve got going on here, Dawn…I really should use lentils more often. And I hear ya about Mondays. You’re right that we shouldn’t look down on them too much though. After all, they serve the purpose of making Fridays amazing! We’ve gone back to counting calories lately (to get the extra Christmas cookies off before we head on vacation..haha), so a meal like this would make my calorie app very happy! I’m all about big flavor in my soups, too. Yum! Happy Monday, my friend!
Girl Heart Food
Chilly here too and so windy today!! Thanks David! Hope you get a chance to try this one out (and I hear ya about the Christmas cookies). Have a great week!
[email protected]
I love everything about this! Especially for a Monday after a weekend of indulgences! It’s like you knew! 😉 I love the addition of the Thai chilies! This is happening!! Have a great week, my friend! XOXO
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Annie!! I did know 😉 Let me know if you try this one out! Have a wonderful week! XOXO
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
You’re speaking my language here, girlie! I’m all about lentils! And soup. And kale too! Oh yeah, and one pot meals. Basically, this hits all the points I need to love something. Have a great week, Dawn!
Girl Heart Food
Haha – me too 😉 Thanks Kelsie! Have an awesome week too!
karrie @ Tasty Ever After
This soup looks perfect! Love the addition of Thai chilies too. Spicy is always better in my book. Will definitely make this soon 🙂
Girl Heart Food
I love love love spicy things too!! I always have chili peppers in the fridge. Let me know how you like 🙂