Winter Vegetable Lentil Soup

Featured in: One-Pot Comfort Dishes

This comforting blend features tender lentils simmered with a medley of winter vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and kale. Aromatic spices such as thyme, cumin, and smoked paprika enrich the broth, creating a warm and satisfying flavor. Easily prepared in an hour, it suits vegan and gluten-free diets, offering a wholesome, protein-rich meal that brings warmth on chilly days.

Updated on Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:16:00 GMT
Winter vegetable and lentil soup: a warm, steaming bowl filled with colorful vegetables and savory lentils. Save
Winter vegetable and lentil soup: a warm, steaming bowl filled with colorful vegetables and savory lentils. | sizzlebloom.com

A hearty, nourishing soup packed with seasonal winter vegetables and protein-rich lentils, perfect for warming up on cold days.

This soup has become my go-to comfort meal during chilly weather. The blend of root vegetables and lentils creates a wholesome, satisfying bowl every time.

Ingredients

  • Olive oil: 2 tbsp
  • Onion: 1 large, diced
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
  • Carrots: 2 medium, peeled and diced
  • Parsnips: 2, peeled and diced
  • Celery: 2 stalks, diced
  • Turnip: 1 small, peeled and cubed
  • Sweet potato: 1 small, peeled and cubed
  • Kale or Swiss chard: 1 cup, chopped, stems removed
  • Lentils: 1 cup dried brown or green, rinsed
  • Vegetable broth: 6 cups
  • Diced tomatoes: 1 can (14 oz / 400 g), with juice
  • Bay leaf: 1
  • Dried thyme: 1 tsp
  • Ground cumin: 1 tsp
  • Smoked paprika: ½ tsp
  • Ground black pepper: ½ tsp
  • Salt: 1 tsp, or to taste
  • Fresh parsley: 2 tbsp chopped (optional)
  • Lemon juice: Juice of ½ lemon (optional)

Instructions

Sauté Aromatics:
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
Add Vegetables:
Add garlic, carrots, parsnips, celery, turnip, and sweet potato. Sauté for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Combine Lentils and Liquids:
Stir in lentils, diced tomatoes (with juice), vegetable broth, bay leaf, thyme, cumin, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.
Simmer:
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25–30 minutes, or until lentils and vegetables are tender.
Add Greens:
Stir in kale or Swiss chard and simmer for 5 more minutes until wilted.
Finish and Serve:
Remove bay leaf. Adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if using.
This beautiful winter vegetable and lentil soup shows a healthy, comforting meal served with fresh parsley garnish. Save
This beautiful winter vegetable and lentil soup shows a healthy, comforting meal served with fresh parsley garnish. | sizzlebloom.com

This recipe always reminds me of cozy winter evenings enjoyed with family. Sharing a steaming bowl and fresh bread brings everyone together around the table.

Required Tools

Large soup pot, cutting board and knife, wooden spoon, ladle

Allergen Information

Contains no common allergens. Always check packaged ingredients for traces if needed.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 210 calories, 4 g total fat, 36 g carbohydrates, 10 g protein

A close-up of steaming winter vegetable and lentil soup, highlighting the tender vegetables and brown lentils. Save
A close-up of steaming winter vegetable and lentil soup, highlighting the tender vegetables and brown lentils. | sizzlebloom.com

This nourishing soup is sure to warm you up inside and out. Enjoy it with family or friends for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Winter Vegetable Lentil Soup

Hearty stew with winter vegetables and lentils, perfect for warming meals.

Setup Duration
20 min
Heat Duration
40 min
Complete Duration
60 min
Created by Emily Dawson

Classification One-Pot Comfort Dishes

Skill Level Easy

Heritage International

Output 6 Portions

Nutrition Labels Plant-Based, No Dairy, No Gluten

Components

Vegetables

01 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 1 large onion, diced
03 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
05 2 parsnips, peeled and diced
06 2 celery stalks, diced
07 1 small turnip, peeled and cubed
08 1 small sweet potato, peeled and cubed
09 1 cup chopped kale or Swiss chard (stems removed)

Legumes & Grains

01 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed

Liquids

01 6 cups vegetable broth
02 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice

Spices & Seasonings

01 1 bay leaf
02 1 teaspoon dried thyme
03 1 teaspoon ground cumin
04 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
05 ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
06 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Finishing

01 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
02 Juice of ½ lemon (optional)

Method Steps

Phase 01

Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.

Phase 02

Add and Cook Vegetables: Incorporate minced garlic, carrots, parsnips, celery, turnip, and sweet potato. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Phase 03

Combine Lentils and Seasonings: Stir in rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes with juice, vegetable broth, bay leaf, thyme, cumin, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.

Phase 04

Simmer Soup: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until lentils and vegetables are tender.

Phase 05

Add Greens: Stir in chopped kale or Swiss chard and continue to simmer for 5 minutes until greens are wilted.

Phase 06

Finalize and Season: Remove bay leaf. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired.

Phase 07

Serve: Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if using. Serve hot.

Kitchen Tools

  • Large soup pot
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Wooden spoon
  • Ladle

Dietary Alerts

Always review ingredients individually for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance when uncertain.
  • No common allergens present; verify broth and tomato labels for gluten or allergen traces if sensitive.

Dietary Information (per portion)

Values shown are estimates and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Energy Value: 210
  • Fats: 4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Proteins: 10 g