Hearty Instant Pot Lentil Soup Ready in a Flash

By Sarah Chen-MartinezAugust 4, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a hug in a bowl? This instant pot lentil soup is just the ticket. Honestly, it's like your grandma's cooking, but quicker.

This soup is packed with flavour and it is so warming.

Brief Overview

Lentil soup is a proper peasant dish, warming hearts for centuries. This quick lentil soup recipe is dead easy. It takes about 45 minutes. This recipe makes around 6 servings.

Main Benefits

This healthy instant pot soup is a nutritional powerhouse. It's full of fibre and protein. Perfect for a chilly evening or a easy weeknight lentil soup.

What makes this instant pot lentil soup vegetarian so great? It's quick, tasty, and good for you!

Craving a Bowl of Comfort?

Are you looking for a soup that warms you from the inside out? Something that's both healthy and satisfying? Then you've landed in the right place.

This instant pot lentil soup is exactly what you need.

A Bowlful of History

Lentil soup has been around for donkeys years. It's a staple in many cultures around the world. Our version takes this classic dish and gives it a modern twist.

The pressure cooker lentils makes it faster than ever before. It's proper easy.

Why You'll Love It

This isn't just any old soup; it's a flavour bomb! We're talking earthy lentils, sweet carrots, aromatic garlic, and a touch of smoked paprika.

This adds a depth that'll leave you wanting more. Plus, this healthy instant pot soup is packed with protein and fibre.

Perfect for keeping you full and energized.

A Word on Ingredients

Let's talk ingredients. We're using simple, wholesome ingredients you can find in any supermarket. Brown or green lentils work best, but feel free to experiment.

Vegetable broth keeps it vegetarian and light. Diced tomatoes add a touch of sweetness and acidity. It tastes amazing. Get all those ingredients to enjoy the best instant pot soup recipes .

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get Started!

So, you wanna whip up some instant pot lentil soup ? Ace! It’s dead easy, honestly. First, we need the right bits and bobs.

No stress, most of it’s probably already in your cupboard.

Main Ingredients: The Heart of the Matter

Right, down to business. You'll need 1 tablespoon (15ml) of olive oil. Go for good quality if you can, makes a difference.

Then 1 medium yellow onion, chopped ( approx. 1 cup/150g ), 2 carrots, peeled and chopped ( approx. 1 cup/120g ), and 2 celery stalks, chopped ( approx.

1 cup/110g ). Also, get 2 cloves of garlic, minced ( approx. 2 teaspoons/6g ). For the brown lentil recipes instant pot goodness, grab 1 cup (200g) of brown or green lentils, rinsed well! Don't skip rinsing, trust me.

Get 4 cups (950ml) of vegetable broth (low sodium if you're watching the salt) and 1 (14.5 ounce/411g) can of diced tomatoes, undrained.

Finish off with 1 bay leaf and 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice. Easy peasy!

Quality Indicators: For the lentils, look for ones that are uniform in size and colour. Avoid any with cracks or signs of moisture. It makes a difference in the texture.

Seasoning Notes: The Flavour Boost

Spices are the secret! You need 1 teaspoon of dried thyme and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano proper classic combo.

For a little kick, 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional). Oh, and for that gorgeous smoky flavour, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Get your chef on. Healthy instant pot soup starts with fantastic seasoning!

Substitution Tip: If you're out of oregano, a pinch of marjoram works a treat.

Equipment Needed: The Essentials

Okay, you'll obviously need an Instant Pot (6-quart or larger). No surprise there! A knife, a cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, and a wooden spoon or spatula are essential.

Sorted! This is one of the Best Instant Pot Soup Recipes , So make sure that you have all the stuff! It's one of the Instant Pot Soup Recipes Healthy Easy .

Also, can be made into Instant Pot Lentil Soup vegetarian . It's all down to having the essential gear. And that bay leaf!

Household Alternative: If you don’t have measuring spoons, just use regular spoons. A level teaspoon is about the same as a proper measuring one.

Easy weeknight lentil soup is all about making it work!

Cooking Method: Instant Pot Lentil Soup Dead Easy!

Right, let's get down to it! We're talking about how to nail the instant pot lentil soup . Honestly, it's so simple even I can't mess it up.

And believe me, I've had my fair share of kitchen disasters. The Instant Pot is like magic. Seriously!

Prep Steps: Getting Your Ducks in a Row

Essential mise en place: Chop the onion, carrots, and celery. Mince the garlic. Rinse the lentils. Seriously, rinse them! That's your instant pot soup recipes healthy easy start.

Time saving organization tips: Chop all the veg at once. It saves time. Get all your spices ready too. This is a quick lentil soup recipe , remember?

Safety reminders: Hot pot is hot! Be careful when releasing the pressure. Keep your mitts handy. Steam burns are proper rubbish, trust me.

step-by-step Process: Easy as Pie

Sauté: Turn the Instant Pot to "Sauté". Add olive oil, onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
Spice Up: Add garlic, thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes and paprika (if using). Cook 1 minute , until fragrant. Mmm, smells good, right?
Combine: Add rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, and bay leaf. Give it a good stir!
Pressure Cook: Secure the lid. Set to "Manual" for 15 minutes . Make sure the valve is sealed!
Natural Release: Let it release pressure naturally for 15 minutes . Quick release any remaining pressure carefully. Safety first!
Season: Remove the bay leaf. Stir in lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Give it a taste. Is it brilliant?
Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish. Fresh parsley? Swirl of yogurt? Your call. Get stuck in!

Pro Tips: Secret Weapons

Here are my top tips for the best instant pot soup recipes .

Expert Technique: Don't overcook the lentils! Natural pressure release is key. Mushy lentils? No thank you! Adjust liquid as needed.

Avoid This Blunder: Forgetting to rinse the lentils. They can get a bit gritty otherwise. And Nobody wants that.

make-ahead Magic: This healthy instant pot soup freezes brilliantly. Make a big batch and you've got dinner sorted. It helps to use brown lentil recipes instant pot to improve freeze.

Recipe Notes for the Best Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Right, let's get down to the nitty gritty of this amazing instant pot lentil soup . Honestly, this is one of my absolute fave instant pot soup recipes healthy easy options for a busy weeknight.

Serving Suggestions: Get Your Plating On!

Okay, so you've got a cracking pot of instant pot lentil soup vegetarian . How do you make it look Instagram worthy? First, ladle it into a nice bowl.

Then, swirl in a bit of Greek yogurt for creaminess. A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a pop of colour.

Serve with crusty bread, perfect for dunking! A side salad balances it all out. This is more than just easy weeknight lentil soup ; it's a proper meal!

Storage Tips: Keep it Fresh, Mate!

Got leftovers? No worries! This quick lentil soup recipe is even better the next day. Let the soup cool completely.

Then, pop it into an airtight container. It will happily sit in the fridge for up to 3 days. Fancy freezing it? Go for it! Just portion it out into freezer safe containers.

It will keep for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then, gently warm it up on the hob or in the microwave.

Be sure to check out all the best instant pot soup recipes online!

Variations: Get Creative in the Kitchen!

Want to mix things up? No problem! For a brown lentil recipes instant pot tweak, add some smoked sausage for a meaty kick (if you are not vegan/vegetarian).

Swap the vegetable broth for chicken broth to deepen the flavour, again, if you are not vegan/vegetarian. Need a gluten-free version? Just make sure your broth is gluten-free.

It's as simple as that! It´s the perfect option for Instant Pot Recipes Lentils

Nutrition Basics: Feel Good Food

This healthy instant pot soup is packed with goodness. Lentils are a great source of protein and fiber. This soup is low in fat and full of vitamins and minerals.

It's a winner! It's also a great way to get your veggies in. This lentil pressure cooker recipes are so rewarding.

The Pressure Cooker Lentils do all the magic

There you have it! All the tips and tricks to make this instant pot lentil soup your own. Don't be afraid to experiment. Cooking should be fun! Now, go get cooking!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze leftover instant pot lentil soup? I've made a massive batch, and it's more than I can shake a stick at!

Absolutely! Instant Pot Lentil Soup freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to airtight containers or freezer bags, leaving a little room for expansion. It'll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Just thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat on the hob or in the microwave until piping hot bish bash bosh!

My instant pot lentil soup turned out a bit thick. How can I thin it out?

No worries, that's an easy fix! Simply add a little extra vegetable broth (or water if you're feeling frugal!) to the Instant Pot after it's finished cooking. Then, give it a good stir and simmer on the "Sauté" setting for a few minutes until it reaches your desired consistency.

You're basically creating your own bespoke lentil experience.

I only have red lentils. Can I still make this instant pot lentil soup recipe?

You certainly can! Red lentils are a great substitute, but be aware they cook much faster and tend to break down more. Reduce the pressure cooking time to around 10 minutes, and consider releasing the pressure immediately rather than doing a natural pressure release to avoid mushiness.

The result will be a creamier, almost blended soup, but it'll still be delicious.

What's the best way to add more flavour to my Instant Pot Lentil Soup? It tasted a little bland, innit.

Flavour is key! First, make sure you're seasoning generously with salt and pepper it makes a world of difference. Beyond that, try adding a splash of balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce at the end for some depth.

You could also up the spice game with a pinch of cumin, coriander, or even a bay leaf or two during cooking. And don't forget a squeeze of lemon or lime to brighten it up!

Can I make this Instant Pot Lentil Soup without an Instant Pot? What if mine's gone on the blink?

Absolutely! While the Instant Pot speeds things up, you can easily make this soup on the stovetop. Simply sauté the vegetables in a large pot over medium heat, then add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until the lentils are tender.

Just keep an eye on the liquid level and add more broth if needed.

Is instant pot lentil soup healthy? I'm trying to be good, you see.

Good on ya for keeping it healthy! Lentil soup is packed with goodness. It's a fantastic source of plant based protein and fibre, which keeps you feeling full and satisfied. It's also low in fat and calories (especially if you use low-sodium broth), making it a brilliant choice for a nutritious and guilt free meal.

Just watch the salt content of your broth!