Description
Savory, Smoky & Soul-Warming Hearty Lentil and Bacon Soup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ cups dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice (optional, for finishing)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 5–7 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add lentils, broth, bay leaf, thyme, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover slightly and simmer for 30–35 minutes, until lentils are tender.
- Stir in most of the cooked bacon. Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add vinegar or lemon juice if using.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with remaining bacon and fresh parsley.
Notes
- This soup tastes better the next day.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze portions for later use.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 15g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Hearty Lentil Bacon Soup, Lentil Soup, Bacon Soup, Comfort Food