Smoky lentil and leek soup gets its smoke from an unexpected place — smoked almonds, chopped and simmered right into a 30-minute pot of brown lentils, leeks, and cumin-toasted carrots. A cool dollop of Greek yogurt on top balances every spoonful.
When the craving for something deeply comforting, yet incredibly quick, strikes, this Smoky Lentil & Leek Soup is the answer. Forget hours of simmering; this one-bowl wonder delivers rich, savory flavor in under 30 minutes. We’re talking earthy brown lentils, sweet sautéed leeks, and a fragrant cumin-sesame base, all brought together with a surprising, crunchy topping of smoked almonds and a cool swirl of Greek yogurt. It’s the kind of wholesome, satisfying meal that makes weeknight cooking feel like a treat, not a chore.
Ingredients
• 2½ tsp / 12.5 ml (0.4 fl oz) toasted sesame oil
• 2½ tsp / 8 g (0.28 oz) whole cumin seeds
• ⅓ cup / 45 g (1.59 oz) chopped medium carrot
• ¼ cup / 25 g (0.88 oz) chopped celery rib
• 1 medium leek, white and light green parts, trimmed and chopped
• 3 cups / 720 ml low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 cup / 200 g (7.1 oz) brown lentils, rinsed and drained
• 1 Tbs. / 15 g (0.53 oz) minced garlic, about 3 cloves
• ⅓ cup / 45 g (1.59 oz) smoked almonds, coarsely chopped
• ½ cup / 125 g (4.4 oz) plain nonfat Greek yogurt
Instructions
1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the toasted sesame oil over low heat. Add the cumin seeds and toast for 1 minute until fragrant. Increase the heat to medium-high, stir in the carrot, celery, and leek, and sauté for 3 minutes until slightly softened.2. Pour in the vegetable broth and rinsed lentils. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 5 more minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.4. Ladle the lentil soup into four bowls. Garnish each with a generous sprinkle of chopped smoked almonds and a cool dollop of plain Greek yogurt.
Nutritional Information
• Nutrition Information
• Per serving
• Calories: 309
• Protein: 18 g
• Total Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Sodium: 187 mg
• Fiber: 14 g
• Sugar: 7 g
Pro Tips
• This soup tastes even better the next day! Make a double batch and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days for easy lunches.
• For a vegan version, simply swap the Greek yogurt for a dairy-free plain yogurt, a drizzle of tahini, or a dollop of cashew cream.
• Add ¼ teaspoon of smoked paprika along with the cumin seeds for an even deeper, smokier flavor. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving will also brighten everything up.
• For a creamier consistency, use an immersion blender to briefly pulse the soup a few times before serving, leaving some lentils whole for texture.
FAQ
Q: Is this lentil and leek soup a good source of plant-based protein
A: Absolutely. This soup is packed with 18 grams (0.63 oz / 17.9 g) of protein per serving, primarily from the hearty brown lentils. The optional Greek yogurt topping also adds an extra protein boost, making it a very satisfying and nutritionally complete vegetarian meal.
Q: How can I make this smoky lentil soup vegan
A: To make this recipe completely vegan, simply replace the nonfat Greek yogurt garnish. Excellent dairy-free alternatives include a dollop of plain plant-based yogurt (like soy or coconut), a rich drizzle of tahini, or a spoonful of creamy cashew cream.
Q: Can I use different lentils for this recipe
A: Yes, you can substitute other lentils, but it will affect the cooking time and texture. Green or Puy lentils are a great substitute as they hold their shape well, similar to brown lentils. Red or yellow lentils cook much faster and will break down, creating a creamier, thicker soup, so you may need to reduce the cooking time slightly.
Q: How long does this vegetarian lentil soup last in the fridge
A: This soup is perfect for meal prep and tastes even better the next day. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The smoked almonds should be stored separately and added just before serving to maintain their crunch.
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Smoky Lentil & Leek Soup
Ingredients
Method
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the toasted sesame oil over low heat.
- Add the cumin seeds and toast for 1 minute until fragrant. Increase the heat to medium-high, stir in the carrot, celery, and leek, and sauté for 3 minutes until slightly softened. 2.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and rinsed lentils.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. 3.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 5 more minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Season with salt and pepper, if desired. 4. Ladle the lentil soup into four bowls.
- Garnish each with a generous sprinkle of chopped smoked almonds and a cool dollop of plain Greek yogurt.
- Add ¼ teaspoon of smoked paprika along with the cumin seeds for an even deeper, smokier flavor. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving will also brighten everything up.
