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Home » Course » Dinner » Instant Pot Lentil Soup Recipe

Published: Sep 5, 2020 · Modified: Aug 16, 2021 by Veronika's Kitchen * This post may contain affiliate links

Instant Pot Lentil Soup Recipe

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This delicious Lentil Soup made in an Instant Pot is a perfect comfort dinner recipe that is healthy and easy to make! You can make this one pot vegan soup in just 30 minutes!

A white bowl with lentil soup, topped with grated larmesan cheese, parsley, and bread.

If you are craving a warm comforting meal but want to keep it healthy, you need to try this amazing Lentil Soup that you can make in your pressure cooker in just 30 minutes! It’s packed with vegetables and legumes, with a beautiful aroma from dried oregano and thyme.

Pressure cookers are perfect for making soups. You’re not only making everything in one pot, but also reducing the cooking time. You can check my Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup, Instant Pot Minestrone, Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup, Instant Pot Taco Soup, and Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup. And if you like make them on a stove top, check out White Bean Soup Recipe, Pasta e Fagioli Soup, and Beef Borscht.

Why you will love it

  1. Healthy. This is a great vegan meal that is packed with vegetables and legumes.
  2. Easy to make. It takes only 30 minutes from start to finish and you cook everything in one pot!
  3. Delicious. This dish is full of flavor, thanks to sautéing the veggies and using dried herbs.
  4. Meal prep friendly. Soup always tastes better the next day, making it perfect for meal prepping.
Ingredients for Lentil Soup.

How to make Lentil Soup in Pressure Cooker

Sauté the vegetables.

Press the “Sauté” button and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Add chopped onions and sauté them for about 5-7 minutes or until they are soft and translucent. (Photos 1-3)

Add minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds. Then add the carrots and stir again. Now we can turn off the “Sauté” function. (Photos 4-6)

Process Photos of how to make Instant Pot Lentil Soup.

Add the rest of the Ingredients.

Add rinsed lentils, crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, water, dried oregano, and dried thyme and give it a stir. (Photos 7-12)

Process Photos of how to make Instant Pot Lentil Soup.

Cook.

Close the lid and make sure that the venting knob is set to “Seal”.

Cook on manual high pressure for 10 minutes. When done, you can naturally release the pressure for about 10 minutes, then do a quick release.

Open the lid and stir. You can add some salt if needed.

Stirring lentil soup in Instant Pot.

How to make Lentil Soup on the stove

If you don’t have a Pressure Cooker, you can also make this delicious soup on a stove top. It will take a bit more time, but the results will be the same.

For this recipe, I prefer to use a pot with a thick bottom (like a 6 Qt Dutch Oven), because we need to sauté the vegetables.

Preheat the pot with olive oil over medium/high heat, then add the chopped onions. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, then add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until it releases the aroma.

Add the carrots, and cook for couple of more minutes.

Add rinsed lentils, crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, water, dried oregano, and dried thyme and give it a stir.

Bring it to boil, then reduce the heat to low. Put the lid on and simmer for about 35-40 minutes, occasionally stirring.

A white bowl with lentil soup, topped with grated larmesan cheese and parsley.

What else can I add to this soup?

This recipe is good on its own, but if you have any vegetables that need to be used, you can easily add them to this meal. Here are a few ideas:

  • Sweet potatoes or regular potatoes. Just chop them in ½-inch cubes and add together with the lentils.
  • Parsnips. Also chop it in ½-inch cubes.
  • Diced tomatoes (used in place of the crushed tomatoes).
  • Spinach. You can add it after the soup is cooked. Press the “Sauté” button, add spinach, and cook for a few minutes until it’s wilted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What lentils are better to use?

I prefer to use green lentils, but you also can use brown, red or yellow variety. But don’t use French lentils because they keep their shape and fail to make the soup creamy.

How to serve?

I like to serve it with some freshly grated Parmigano Reggiano on top and warm bread (like my Sandwich Bread Recipe and Easy Dinner Rolls).

How to store?

After it’s cooled off, transfer to an air-tight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.

How to freeze?

This soup freezes really well. Keep it in an air-tight container or a zip-locked bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, put it in the fridge overnight, then reheat.

A white bowl with lentil soup, topped with grated larmesan cheese, parsley, and bread.
A white bowl with lentil soup, topped with grated larmesan cheese, parsley, and bread.
Print Recipe
4.80 from 10 votes

Instant Pot Lentil Soup Recipe

This delicious Lentil Soup made in an Instant Pot is a perfect comfort dinner recipe that is healthy and easy to make! You can make this one pot vegan soup in just 30 minutes!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time30 mins
Course: Dinner, lunch, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 443kcal
Author: Veronika’s Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 carrots chopped
  • 2 cups dried green lentils rinsed
  • 15 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 4 cups vegetable broth low sodium
  • 2 cups water
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions

  • Press the “Sauté” button and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Add 1 finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5-7 minutes or until it's soft and translucent.
  • Add minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds. Then add 2 chopped carrots and stir again. Now we can turn off the “Sauté” function.
  • Add 2 cups rinsed lentils, 15 oz crushed tomatoes, 4 cups vegetable broth, 2 cups water, ½ tsp dried oregano, and ½ tsp dried thyme and give it a stir.
  • Close the lid and make sure that the venting knob is set to “Seal”.
  • Cook on manual high pressure for 10 minutes. When done, you can naturally release the pressure for about 10 minutes, then do a quick pressure release.
  • Open the lid and stir. You can add some salt if needed.

Video

Notes

What lentils are better to use? I prefer to use green lentils, but you also can use brown, red or yellow variety. But don’t use French lentils because they keep their shape and fail to make the soup creamy.
How to serve? I like to serve it with some freshly grated Parmigano Reggiano on top and warm crusty bread.
How to store? After it’s cooled off, transfer to an air-tight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.
How to freeze? This soup freezes really well. Keep it in an air-tight container or a zip-locked bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, put it in the fridge overnight, then reheat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 443kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1115mg | Potassium: 1375mg | Fiber: 33g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 5862IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 9mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review below. Or snap a photo and share it on Instagram; be sure to tag me @veronikaskitchen.

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Reader Interactions

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Gary says

    October 27, 2020 at 3:29 pm

    4 stars
    Made this last night. Upped the spices as I thought it a little bland to start out.

    Reply
  2. Caroline Horizny says

    September 21, 2020 at 1:17 pm

    4 stars
    very good!! I just made this. I used chicken broth instead of vegetable and I really liked it. 4/5 because I don’t feel like the carrot fit in – maybe I’m just not a carrot person. but everything else was awesome, I plan to make it again.

    Reply
  3. Tammy says

    September 13, 2020 at 7:28 pm

    5 stars
    This soup is right up my alley! Truly so hearty and comforting…I’d love a big bowl of this right now. Fantastic photos ^_^

    Reply
  4. Moop Brown says

    September 13, 2020 at 4:05 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe looks so delicious and easy to make. Perfect as a tasty weeknight meal! Thanks

    Reply
  5. Karyl says

    September 13, 2020 at 12:29 pm

    5 stars
    I never buy lentils cause I’m never sure what to do with them. This soup looks absolutely perfect, especially with this cooler weather. I don’t have an instant pot, so I appreciate the stovetop instructions

    Reply
  6. Aditi Bahl says

    September 13, 2020 at 12:05 pm

    5 stars
    Loved the recipe. Tried the recipe and the flavors were just bang on. It was wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  7. Alex says

    September 13, 2020 at 10:29 am

    I’ll take mine with those easy dinner rolls! What a delicious and healthy meal this is. I love the tip about adding sweet potatoes! That sounds awesome.

    Reply
  8. Paula Montenegro says

    September 13, 2020 at 7:37 am

    5 stars
    I was looking for a recipe like this one, with lentils and tomatoes but simple to make. My go to recipe was a much more complicated lentil stew so I’m happy to say that we love this recipe a lot! Very flavorful and perfect to keep frozen.

    Reply
  9. Erin says

    September 13, 2020 at 6:59 am

    I love that that is made in the IP! It sounds so flavorful and perfect for these cool days we’ve been having.

    Reply
  10. Ramona says

    September 13, 2020 at 6:51 am

    5 stars
    This lentil soup looks so amazing and super flavoursome! all i can think about is soup and anything to do with that as the weather hasn’t been so great. This recipe is perfect as it is quick, easy and worth it! thank you for sharing this recipe.

    Reply
  11. Kathryn Donangelo says

    September 08, 2020 at 11:36 am

    5 stars
    This lentil soup is perfection! Cooking the lentils in a slow cooker makes a huge difference and makes all the flavors come together so perfectly. Amazing recipe!

    Reply
  12. Bernice Hill says

    September 07, 2020 at 10:57 pm

    5 stars
    YUM! The weather has suddenly turned cool and all I can think of is nourishing soups and stews. I love how quick and easy this recipe is. It’s going on the ‘to make’ list for sure!

    Reply

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