Herbed Golden Lentil Soup with Greens (Vegan)

golden lentils

🥗Healthier: green lentils

💰Cheaper: brown lentils

Green lentils offer similar nutrition, while brown lentils are often less expensive.

vegetable broth

🥗Healthier: water

💰Cheaper: homemade broth

Using water reduces sodium content, while homemade broth can be more cost-effective.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while canola oil is typically cheaper.

fresh parsley

🥗Healthier: spinach

💰Cheaper: dried parsley

Spinach adds nutrition, while dried parsley is less expensive.

Heat about 1/4 cup of vegetable broth in a soup pot over medium-high heat until it begins to simmer.

Add diced red onions and stir occasionally for about 5 minutes until softened.

Stir in minced garlic and grated fresh ginger until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.

Add more vegetable broth and cubed butternut squash if using.

Once the aromatics and squash have sautéed, add the remaining broth and 6 cups of water, bringing the soup to a boil.

Add brown basmati rice to the boiling broth, cover the pot, and reduce heat to a simmer, setting a timer for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, add rinsed split red lentils and petite golden lentils, stirring them in and turning up the heat to return to a boil.

Add spices: 1 tbsp curry powder, 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, stirring to combine.

Optional spices: add fermented black garlic granules, 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, and 1 tsp dulse granules, stirring in.

Simmer for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, and check texture of rice, lentils, and squash.

When cooked, stir in chopped kale and baby bok choy, allowing them to wilt without cooking.

Add fresh chopped parsley and sliced green onions, stirring to combine.

Turn off the heat and taste the soup, adjusting seasoning as needed with more spices.

Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with more parsley, green onions, and optional coconut milk or plant-based yogurt.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary