Smoky Red Lentil and Tomato (Printable Version)

Warming red lentil soup with fire-roasted tomatoes and smoky paprika. Ready in under an hour.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fresh Produce

01 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Legumes & Canned Goods

06 - 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
07 - 1 can (14 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
08 - 4 cups vegetable broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
10 - 1 tsp ground cumin
11 - ½ tsp dried thyme
12 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
13 - 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
14 - 1 bay leaf

→ Finishing Touches

15 - 2 tbsp olive oil
16 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
17 - Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

# How To Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Add garlic and red bell pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
03 - Stir in smoked paprika, cumin, thyme, black pepper, and salt. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add red lentils, diced tomatoes with juices, vegetable broth, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender and soup is thickened.
06 - Remove bay leaf. Stir in lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The fire-roasted tomatoes bring this incredible depth that tastes like you cooked it all day even though it comes together in under an hour
  • Red lentils practically melt into the soup creating this naturally creamy texture without any dairy
  • That smoky paprika hit makes people ask whats your secret ingredient every single time
02 -
  • The soup will continue to thicken as it sits so if you're making it ahead thin it with a little extra broth when reheating
  • Fire-roasted tomatoes can vary in smokiness between brands so start with less paprika if you're sensitive to smoke flavor
  • Lemon juice might seem optional but it completely transforms the final flavor profile so don't skip it
03 -
  • Rinse your lentils thoroughly until the water runs completely clear or your soup will turn out cloudy and unappetizing
  • Let the soup rest for 10 minutes off the heat before serving because the flavors really deepen and settle during this time

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