This is gluten free and vegan. Weight Watchers points included. It is life-changing in that it will change the way you look at lentils and you’ll want to make 354676 times this year alone. Even meat-eaters and those who typically turn their noses up at lentils will find themselves unable to resist the smell and taste of this Instant Pot lentils recipe This nourishing Pressure Cooker Lentil Soup is bursting with Mexican flavors and is super versatile. Perfect for quick weeknight suppers, a comforting lunch on the move, cold fall and winter feasts, great for meal prep and freezer friendly too.
Why Make This Recipe
quick and easy – you’ll need minimal prep and a little over 40 minutes.pantry-friendly – made with pantry items like lentils, canned tomato, spices, onion, and peppers.great for meal prep – enjoy leftovers or save as a freezer Instant Pot meal.diet- friendly – this recipe is vegan, gluten-free and has no added sugar
Ingredient Notes
1 tbsp olive oil▢2 onion peeled and finely chopped▢2 peppers descended and finely chopped▢3 carrots peeled and finely cubed▢1 bay leaf optional▢1 tsp garlic puree▢1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika▢1 1/2 tsp ground cumin▢Chilli to taste▢300 g 1.5 cups green lentils picked thru and rinsedBroth – use vegetable broth. If Tomatoes – 2 X 400g (14 oz) finely chopped tomatoes▢Salt▢6 tbsp chopped coriander leaves (cilantro)
So let’s get started so you can have this recipe ready to serve in under 40 minutes. Gather your ingredients and let me show you……
How to Make Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Step 1. Switch the Instant Pot on to the sauté setting. Add the oil to the Instant Pot insert and sauté the onions, peppers, carrots and bay leaf (if using – not so much a Mexican flavour, but I like what it adds to the dish) for 4-5 minutes until the onion is soft.Step 2. Switch off the heat and stir in the garlic, paprika, cumin and red pepper flakes.Step 3. Mix in the lentils, vegetable stock, tomatoes, and salt.Step 4. Cover your Instant Pot, set the vent to ‘sealing,’ select the pressure cook or manual button (dependent upon IP model), select high pressure and set the timer to 7 minutes.Step 5. When done allow the pot to NPR for 15 minutes before releasing the rest of the steam using quick release.Step 6. Stir in the cilantro (coriander), adjust seasoning and serve.
Chef’s Tip: Be sure to pick through your lentils to check for small debris that may be present. Remove these and then rinse the lentils thoroughly before using.
Expert Recipe Tips
If you wish, you can add meat to this lentil soup instant pot. Beef mince is an easy addition – add it to Step 1 and brown it alongside the veggies. (You will add it to the Instant Pot in Step 3.)You can garnish with parmesan cheese if not vegan.
Delicious Variations
Vary the spices – You can also make this dish using Creole Seasoning or Italian seasoning or curry powder.Vary the vegetables – You can add other chopped up vegetables to your taste like potatoes and celery.Add greens – Greens like baby spinach, kale, mustard greens and swiss chard are awesome. Add extra heat – feel free to add chipotle or red pepper flakes to your taste.Add zing – a squeeze of lemon juice or lime juice will add the perfect zing.
Storage
Refrigerate – Store cooled leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.Freeze – Let the soup cool down then transfer into these very handy Ziploc freezer bags. Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags. Label the bags and then lay them flat in the freezer. Store the soup in the freezer for up to 3 months.Thaw – Remove the soup from the freezer the night before needed and let it thaw in the fridge. For a faster thaw, you can add the bagged soup into a microwave and thaw according to the microwave’s instructions.
Meal Prep Ideas
This is a perfect meal prep recipe. Whip up a big batch at the beginning of the week and eat it throughout the week. I personally believe the taste is at its peak several days after making it.
Serve this in Lentil Tacos.Make a lentil bowl and serve with some Grilled Broccoli or Cauliflower.
FAQs
Related Easy Recipes
If you like this, you’ll want to try these ones too:
Instant Pot Tomato Soup.Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup.Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup.Instant Pot Potato Soup.Instant Pot Corn Chowder.Instant Pot Greek Lamb Stew.Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup.Instant Pot Mexican Rice.And for more lentil recipes, try my Lentil Tacos.
Serving Suggestions
Instant Pot Lentil Soup is a hearty meal on its own, but you might want to serve it with:
On top: sliced avocado, sour cream (if not vegan), cheese (or a cheese substitute if vegan) some Instant pot Brown Rice, A crusty baguette, Homemade corn tortillas or Instant Pot White Rice or a simple Spinach Salad.
Weight Watchers Points
If you replace the 1 tbsp olive oil with a calorie-controlled cooking spray, there are: 0 Blue Plan points per serving (yeap, zero!!) Thank you for reading my Instant Pot lentils recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, Crockpot Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.
