Hearty Mediterranean Lentil Soup

Name: Hearty Mediterranean Lentil Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 yellow onion, diced; 2 carrots, peeled and chopped; 2 stalks celery, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed; 4 cups vegetable broth; 1 can diced tomatoes, with juices; 2 cups chopped fresh spinach; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; Salt and black pepper to taste

A cozy and bright bowl of soup that is packed with veggies and healthy lentils.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 Mediterranean· July 19, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

10 minutes

Cook

40 minutes

Total

50 minutes

Serves

There is nothing quite like a big pot of lentil soup bubbling away on the stove. This version is one of my absolute favorites because it feels light yet filling, and the splash of fresh lemon juice at the end really brings all the flavors to life.

My secret tip for this soup is to make sure you rinse your lentils well under cold water before starting. It helps keep the broth clear and clean, and it makes the final texture much nicer when you are ready to serve.

🧺 Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
4 cups vegetable broth
1 can diced tomatoes, with juices
2 cups chopped fresh spinach
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and black pepper to taste

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2
Add the onion, carrots, and celery, then cook until they start to soften, which takes about 5 minutes.
3
Stir in the garlic, cumin, and oregano, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4
Pour in the lentils, vegetable broth, and the can of diced tomatoes.
5
Bring the soup to a boil, then turn the heat down to low and cover the pot.
6
Simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
7
Stir in the fresh spinach and cook just until it wilts, then remove from the heat.
8
Stir in the lemon juice and add salt and pepper to taste before serving.

💡 Tips

Serve this soup with a slice of crusty bread or a sprinkle of feta cheese on top. It stays fresh in the fridge for up to four days and actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to blend together.

#Soup #Vegetarian #Healthy #Vegan #Easy Dinner

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