Mediterranean Lentil Soup
A hearty, budget-friendly lentil soup with carrots, celery, cumin, and a squeeze of lemon. Naturally vegan and freezer-friendly.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Serves
- 6
Instructions
- 1
Warm the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 8 minutes.
- 2
Stir in the garlic and cumin and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- 3
Add the lentils, diced tomatoes, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- 4
Cook uncovered until the lentils are tender, 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 5
Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Finish with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
- 6
Serve hot. The soup thickens as it sits — loosen with a splash of broth or water when reheating.
Equipment
- Large soup pot
Our editorial team develops, cooks, and tests every recipe in a home kitchen using ingredients you can find at a regular U.S. grocery store. We follow widely published dietary guidance and cite our sources. We are not medical professionals, and our content is educational — it is not a substitute for personalized advice from a qualified healthcare provider.
This content is educational and is not medical advice. Nutrition information, where shown, is an approximate estimate.
Get the free 7-day meal plan
A full week of simple Mediterranean meals plus a shopping list — free download.
Download free →Browse meal plans
Full multi-day Mediterranean plans with consolidated grocery lists and prep notes.
See meal plans →Related recipes
Sheet-Pan Mediterranean Chicken
Chicken thighs roasted on one pan with bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and olives — a hands-off, high-protein dinner that's great for meal prep.
Chickpea and Cucumber Salad
A fresh, protein-packed salad of chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, and parsley in a lemon dressing — ready in 15 minutes and even better the next day.
Classic Greek Salad with Feta
Crisp cucumber, ripe tomatoes, red onion, and Kalamata olives with a block of feta and a simple olive-oil dressing — the Mediterranean on a plate.