Instant Pot Lentil Soup
The ultimate comfort food, this Instant Pot Lentil Soup is hearty, nutritious, and quick to prepare. Packed with flavor and perfect for chilly evenings, it’s an easy weeknight dinner that you’ll crave time and time again!
Equipment
- Chef's Knife
- Cutting Board
- Instant Pot
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 cup onion, chopped (~1 small onion)
- 1 cup carrots, sliced (~2 carrots)
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup dried brown lentils
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt plus more to taste
- chopped parsley optional garnish
Instructions
- Start by turning your Instant Pot to “sauté” mode. Add in the cooking oil, followed by the onion, carrots, and bell pepper. Cook them for about 3 to 5 minutes until they soften and the onions become translucent. This step is crucial as it builds the flavor base for your soup.
- Next, add in the remaining ingredients: brown lentils, cumin, garlic powder, fresh thyme, low sodium chicken broth, and salt. Stir everything well to combine all the ingredients.
- Now, secure the lid on your Instant Pot and move the pressure valve to the “sealing” position. This is important for building pressure and cooking the lentils properly.
- Set the Instant Pot to “Beans/Chili” mode and adjust the timer to 25 minutes. It will take a few minutes for the pot to come to pressure, so be patient.
- Once the timer goes off, let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for about 10 minutes before carefully moving the valve to release any remaining pressure. This helps to keep the lentils tender.
- After removing the lid, give the soup a taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Feel free to add more salt or pepper to suit your palate.
- If desired, garnish your soup with chopped parsley before serving. This adds a vibrant touch and a hint of freshness!
- Serve the soup warm, possibly with some crusty bread or a light salad on the side to complete your meal.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for future meals.
- Enjoy the comforting and hearty flavors of your homemade Instant Pot Lentil Soup!
Notes
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freezing: This soup freezes wonderfully! Make sure to cool it completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers for up to six months.
- Pairing: This soup goes well with crusty bread or a fresh salad, making it a complete meal.
- Adjusting Consistency: If you prefer a thicker soup, feel free to mash some of the lentils against the side of the pot.
- Experiment: Don’t hesitate to experiment with different spices or vegetables based on your personal preferences.