• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Free Dinner Ebook! Get your copy!

Join the Little Sunny Kitchen email family!

Get our FREE dinners ebook!

  • Meet Diana
  • Favorite Products
  • Videos
  • Learn to Cook

Little Sunny Kitchen

Delicious Recipes for Real Life

  • All Recipes
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Sides
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Pasta
    • Soups & Chilis
    • Desserts
    • Sauces & Dressings
    • Beverages
  • Holiday
    • Christmas
    • Valentine’s
    • Easter
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Thanksgiving
    • Halloween
  • Method
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
    • Slow Cooker
    • Oven
    • Stovetop
    • Grill
  • Easy Meals
  • Appetizers
  • Drinks
  • Slow Cooker
  • Air Fryer
  • Restaurant Copycats
  • Summer Faves
Home Recipes By Type Soups & Chilis

Instant Pot Lentil Soup

5
/5 –
Rate Recipe 31 Comments
Jump to Recipe
  • Share
By: Diana Posted: 3/12/20 Updated: 10/6/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Instant Pot Lentil Soup pinnable image with overlay text "Instant Pot lentil soup"

This Instant Pot lentil soup is so comforting, hearty, healthy, and filling! Don’t settle for bland tasteless lentil soup, and try this amazing recipe. All it takes is a few herb flavorings, bay leaves, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

It’s a dump and start recipe that’s so easy to throw together, and everyone will ask for seconds and thirds!

Lentil soup in a white bowl with a soup spoon

The humble lentils are really good for you. They’re packed with plant-based protein, minerals, nutrients, and fiber. And I get it, lentil soup probably doesn’t sound very exciting to you, but trust me on this, a properly seasoned and well-made lentil soup will make you want to polish off more than just one bowl!

What you will love about the soup is not just the flavor, but also the texture. This soup is perfect for any night of the week, but I find it much more satisfying when it’s really cold outside and I’m all cozy with a warm bowl of this lentil soup.

In short, this soup is filling, satisfying and great for freezing.

The Ingredients

  • Lentils – you can either use dried brown, green, or red lentils to make this soup. I don’t recommend Puy lentils as they don’t soften just like the other varieties do. Note: if you end up using red lentils, you will get a slightly different taste, a more of yellow color and a creamier texture.
  • Vegetable stock – for the liquid I used my own homemade vegetable stock that I make in the Instant Pot. It’s much healthier, and cheaper, and I make it using kitchen scraps to reduce our food waste. You can use chicken stock if that’s what you have available and you’re not concerned about the soup being vegetarian.
  • Mirepoix – the humble beginnings, or the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery combo that is used for the base for flavor.
  • Herbs and spices – I used a combination of thyme, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
  • Tomato – Use a can of diced tomatoes.
  • Spinach leaves – While spinach leaves are totally optional in this recipe, I highly recommend that you add them due to their added nutritional value. They add a very mild taste to the soup, but adding greens is always good.
A close up of the lentil soup

How to Make Lentil Soup in the Instant Pot?

Now I will be honest, sauteeing the mirepoix ingredients (onion, garlic, carrot, and celery) on low-medium heat will result in a better-tasting soup. However, making this soup as a dump-and-start recipe is also very delicious! I mean, using the Instant Pot is all about convenience so I skip sauteeing and throw my ingredients in the pot.

  • So, first, you need to prep the ingredients. Chop up the veggies, wash the lentils (no need to soak them first), collect the herbs and spices, and open the tomato can.
  • Dump everything (except for the spinach leaves) in the Instant Pot, and give it a stir.
  • Secure the lid and set the vent to SEALING. Select the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL setting and set the cooking time for 20 minutes at high pressure. The Instant Pot will take around 10 minutes to come to pressure and start cooking. When the cooking program ends, allow the steam to be naturally released.
  • Carefully remove the lid, and add the spinach leaves. Mix, and cover with the lid again so that the spinach wilts.
  • Serve warm with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice (not optional!).
How to make lentil soup in the Instant Pot

Storing Tips

  • Fridge – Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make sure that the soup has completely cooled down before it goes into the fridge.
  • Freezer – Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat – Either reheat in the microwave, or in a pot over the stovetop on medium heat.
Close up of a ladle scooping up lentil soup from the instant pot

What Goes Well With This Lentil Soup?

  • My favorite way to enjoy this soup is with a piece of freshly baked crusty bread, soft dinner rolls, or this easy garlic bread.
  • You can also serve it with a vegetable side such as garlic green beans, roasted cauliflower salad, steamed broccoli, or smothered potatoes.
Close up of a spoon scooping up a spoonful of lentil soup to eat

More Great Lentil Recipes

  • Mint lentil salad
  • Lentil and mushroom shepherd’s pie
  • Lentil and rice mujaddara
  • Vegan lentil wraps
  • Instant pot lentil and pumpkin curry

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe
5 from 31 votes
(Click stars to rate!)

Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
IP to come to pressure + NPR: 25 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Author: Diana
Print Rate Recipe Email Recipe
This Instant Pot lentil soup is so comforting, hearty, healthy, and filling! Don’t settle for bland tasteless lentil soup, and try this amazing recipe. All it takes is a few herb flavorings, bay leaves, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
4 servings
This Instant Pot lentil soup is so comforting, hearty, healthy, and filling! Don’t settle for bland tasteless lentil soup, and try this amazing recipe. All it takes is a few herb flavorings, bay leaves, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Ingredients

  • 10 oz (300 grams) green or brown lentils about 1.5 cups, rinsed, no need to presoak
  • 4 cups (1 litre) vegetable stock or broth/low sodium
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced or crushed
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • 1 (14.5oz-400g) can diced tomatoes
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup baby spinach leaves optional

For serving:

  • 1 juice of lemon
  • crusty bread optional

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Instructions

  • To the Instant Pot, add all of the ingredients except for the spinach leaves. Give them a quick stir.
  • Secure the lid and set the vent to SEALING. Select the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL setting and set the cooking time for 20 minutes at high pressure. The Instant Pot will take around 10 minutes to come to pressure and start cooking. When the cooking program ends, allow the steam to be naturally released (this will take an additional 10-15 minutes)
  • Carefully remove the lid, and add the spinach leaves. Mix, and cover with the lid again so that the spinach leaves wilt. Have a taste and adjust seasonings to your preference.
  • Serve warm with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and crusty bread on the side.

Notes:

  • Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make sure that the soup has completely cooled down before it goes into the fridge.
  • Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
  • Either reheat in the microwave, or in a pot over the stove top on medium heat.
  • This recipe results in a quite thick soup, so if you prefer a thinner consistency then add an additional cup of vegetable stock or broth.
  • I don’t recommend using canned lentils in this recipe.

Video

Nutrition Information

Calories: 323kcal, Carbohydrates: 59g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1293mg, Potassium: 1161mg, Fiber: 25g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 6874IU, Vitamin C: 21mg, Calcium: 142mg, Iron: 8mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Little Sunny Kitchen

Did You Make This?I love to see what you made! Tag me @LittleSunnyKitchen and hashtag #LittleSunnyKitchen
Pin Recipe Tag on Insta Leave Review

You may also like...

  • Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup
  • Sweet and Spicy Instant Pot Cauliflower
  • Instant Pot Garlic Green Beans
  • Jerusalem Artichoke Soup
Previous Post
Chocolate Hummus
Next Post
Cauliflower Leek Soup

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review! Cancel reply

Have a question or just want to say how much you loved the recipe? Leave a rating below, save for later on Pinterest, and share on Facebook. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe!




  1. Stephanie says

    Posted on 12/19/21 at 22:00

    Can this be made in a slow cooker? How long would you cook it for?

    Reply
  2. Cheryl Gallagher says

    Posted on 12/12/21 at 15:59

    What is the serving size for this soup? Looks delicious!!

    Reply
Older Comments 1 … 3 4 5

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Meet Diana

Welcome to Little Sunny Kitchen! I'm Diana and I’m here to teach you how to make easy meals that are quick, family-friendly, and delicious!

Read More
Follow on Pinterest for more ideas!
Free ebook!

Download My Free Dinner eBook!


Get my copy!

Free eBook

Download My Free Dinner eBook!

Dinner Tonight

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry in a skillet

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders

Holding a Chick-Fil-A homemade Sandwich, and waffle fries

Homemade Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Most Popular

Chocolate Macarons

Penne Arrabbiata

French Fry Seasoning

Alfredo Sauce Recipe

Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders

Chicken Caesar Wrap

Instant Pot Air Fryer Crockpot Easy Dinners Salads Grilling
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

As Featured On:

Dinner tonight
Free ebook!

Download My Free Dinner eBook!

Join us and receive new recipes every week! Download our FREE eBook with quick and easy dinner recipes that are family-friendly and delicious.

Back to Top

explore

Recipe Index

Videos

Shop

Cooking Guides

Follow Along on Social:

Join My Free Instant Pot & Air Fryer Facebook Group
Back to Top

About

Contact

Privacy Policy

Accessibility

© 2022 Little Sunny Kitchen
|
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled