This Carrot and Lentil Soup is made with a rich blend of warm spices and creamy coconut milk. You are going to love the satisfying velvety texture and comforting flavor in each bite! This is a perfect choice for a cozy meal.
About the Recipe
This simple carrot soup recipe is perfect to make on a cool fall day or anytime you are in need of a comforting and delicious meal. This soup is made with carrots, a variety of flavorful spices, hearty red lentils, tomato puree, and rich coconut milk. It will not only warm you up, but it will fill you up too!
Serve this warm bowl of soup as a comforting weeknight dinner, a hearty lunch, or even as an appetizer for a special occasion. It's perfect year round, but particularly cozy on chilly days.
It's full of plant-based protein that your family will love. This recipe is also great for meal prep!
If you are looking for more soup recipes, check out our: Chicken Tortellini Soup, Chickpea Soup, Roasted Red Pepper and Gouda Soup, or Spicy Everything-In-The-Kitchen Noodle Soup.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Flavorful - The natural sweetness of the carrots combined with the medley of spices and rich coconut milk creates a delicious balance of flavors.
Creamy - The coconut milk gives the soup a luxurious, creamy texture that is hard to resist. The lentils not only provide heartiness to each bite, but they also cook down and help to contribute to that silky texture.
Simple - This recipe is incredibly simple to make and it doesn't require a ton of ingredients or time in the kitchen. It’s perfect for home cooks at any skill level who are looking for a quick but impressive dish to make.
Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients you will need for this carrot and lentil soup recipe:
- Olive oil: Use a good quality olive oil for the best flavor.
- Carrots: You will need one pound of washed and peeled carrots.
- Garlic
- Ground Cumin
- Chili powder
- Red pepper flakes: You can substitute with cayenne pepper.
- Salt & black pepper
- Red lentils
- Tomato puree
- Vegetable stock
- Coconut milk
- Parsley: Use fresh parsley as a garnish.
How to Make Carrot and Lentil Soup
Let's make this hearty soup together!
Step 1: In a large soup pot or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the carrots and sauté for 10 minutes, or until softened.
Step 2: Add the garlic, cumin, chili powder, red chili flakes, salt, black pepper, and lentils. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant.
Step 3: Add the tomato puree and stock. Bring to a boil, reduce to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until softened.
Step 4: Use an immersion blender (stick blender) or regular high speed blender to blend the soup.
Step 5: Stir in the coconut milk. Top with parsley and serve.
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this carrot lentil soup:
Leftovers - Use leftover soup to help you prepare for the rest of the week’s meals. Portion it out and store in individual containers to make it even easier!
Complete the meal - This soup would be great with a loaf of crusty bread, a nice green salad or a grilled cheese sandwich for a satisfying and complete meal.
Use a blender - If using a regular blender, allow the soup to cool slightly before blending to avoid hot liquid splattering. Blend in batches if needed, and be cautious not to overfill the blender.
Garnish creatively - Don't hesitate to get creative with garnishes. Aside from parsley, you can add a drizzle of coconut milk, a sprinkle of toasted seeds (like pumpkin or sunflower seeds), or a dash of paprika for extra visual appeal and flavor.
Adjust the consistency - After blending the soup, if you find it too thick, you can add a bit more vegetable stock to reach your desired consistency. On the other hand, if it's too thin, you can simmer it a bit longer to reduce it.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this easy carrot soup. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
Soup pot - A good quality large soup pot is a must for soup season! This one is great quality and a great option for any soup recipe.
Soup bowls - These are some of my favorite soup bowls of all time. They are the perfect size and keep the soup nice and warm.
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this easy recipe.
Spices - Experiment with different spices and herbs. For a twist, consider adding ground coriander, fresh ginger, garam masala, or curry powder to infuse unique flavors into your soup. Adjust the spiciness to your liking by increasing or decreasing the amount of chili powder and red pepper flakes.
Coconut milk - If you don't have coconut milk on hand or prefer an alternative, you can use heavy cream or plain Greek yogurt for a creamy finish.
Parsley - Experiment with different herbs like fresh cilantro, basil, or chives for a unique herbal twist.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside this filling soup:
Bolognese Sandwich - This Bolognese Sandwich is the most delicious and easy sandwich you'll ever make! The sandwich is made from bolognese sauce, thick Italian slices of bread, and cheese. This bolognese grilled cheese sandwich is packed with flavor!
Margherita Flatbread - This Margherita Flatbread is made with slices of fresh tomatoes, flavorful basil, gooey mozzarella cheese, and dollops of pesto all on top of a crispy flatbread crust.
Italian Chopped Salad - This Italian chopped salad is a hearty salad filled with fresh vegetables, salami, mozzarella, and kalamata olives. It is topped with a delicious homemade Italian vinaigrette that is made with red wine vinegar, dijon mustard and Italian seasoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
While red lentils are recommended for their quicker cooking time and smoother texture, you can use brown or green lentils, but they may require longer cooking.
Yes, this soup reheats beautifully. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge and gently reheat it on the stove or in the microwave when you're ready to enjoy it.
While carrots are the star of this soup, you can also incorporate other vegetables like sweet potatoes, butternut squash, or pumpkin for added depth of flavor and nutrients.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this creamy carrot soup:
Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.
Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.
Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this recipe is to heat in a saucepan over low heat until warm.
Other Recipes to Try
Carrot and Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb carrots washed, peeled and sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ cup red lentils
- ½ cup tomato puree
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- 1 can coconut milk
- Parsley for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add carrots and sauté for 10 minutes, until softened.
- Add garlic, cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and red lentils. Stir, then sauté for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add tomato pure and vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until softened.
- Use an immersion blender or regular blender to blend the soup. Add coconut milk and stir. Top with parsley and serve.
Allie says
This carrot soup has been on repeat in our house! The ultimate veggie-packed soup for wfh lunch.
Christina Musgrave says
It's so great for lunch!