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If you are looking for a simple meal that is bursting with flavor in each bite, try Instant Pot Lentil Soup Recipe. Get dinner on the table fast with this easy pressure cooker recipe that is delicious and budget friendly.
The soup tastes like it was slow cooked to perfection when really it was cooked in just minutes in the pressure cooker. If you do not have a pressure cooker, make Crock Pot Lentil Soup.
This quick and easy instant pot recipes is perfect for a busy weeknight that the whole family will love.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
We love cooking recipes with lentils because they are so easy to cook and hearty while being budget friendly. Just put the lentils in the electric pressure cooker and literally in just minutes they will be ready to enjoy.
Pressure Cooking saves time and this soup is loaded with flavor with simple ingredients. This soup is ready in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- Brown Lentils
- Onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- Diced Roasted Tomatoes
- Chicken Broth
- Minced Garlic (or cloves of garlic)
- Salt and Black Pepper
- Fresh Parsley
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.
Variations
- You can also use bay leaves in the soup. Just make sure to remove them after the cooking time.
- Baby spinach is also great in this soup. Feel free to toss in a handful of leafy greens after the quick release. It is a great way to get kids to eat it. Kale is also delicious. You can use the one you prefer.
- Other Vegetables. Zucchini, Bell peppers, sweet potato, and other veggies are great in this lentil soup.
- Toppings are delicious on this soup. Try grated Parmesan, bacon or a dash of lemon.
- Add meat. This soup is tasty with ground sausage. Just brown the sausage first and then add the other ingredients. Another option is cooked diced ham. Add this after the soup has cooked for a great way to use leftovers.
- Change the Lentils. You can substitute red or green lentils in this soup.
- Red Pepper Flakes. If you like soup with a little heat, sprinkle red pepper flakes into the soup.
Step by Step Instructions
- Step 1 – First, put all of the ingredients into the instant pot except the parsley.
- Step 2 – Second, put the lid on. Then set the valve to the sealing position and set the pressure for 10 minutes on high pressure.
- Step 3 – Then, after it has finished cooking allow it to naturally release for 10 minutes with a quick release.
- Step 4 – Finally, remove the lid. Add the parsley and stir. Serve and enjoy. Salt and pepper to taste. This recipe is just that simple.
Recipe Tips
- Prepare Vegetables – When preparing this recipe, we like to chop the vegetables up ahead of time. Make sure to cut about the same size to allow them to cook evenly.
- Cooking Time – Cooking time may vary based on your instant pot.
Serving Suggestions
- Bread is delicious to dip into the soup. It is so flavorful that you will want to get every bit of the soup in the bowl. Make this Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe or pick up a loaf of bread at the bakery.
- Sandwiches. Soup and sandwiches make a great combo. We have served it with Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches Recipe and also these Hawaiian Turkey and Cheese Sliders.
- Lemons – a squeeze of fresh lemon juice is delicious right before serving.
You might also want to try grating parmesan cheese on top. The kids also like to crumble bacon on their soup.
Vegetarian Variation
Substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth in the recipe. This is a simple recipe to make this soup vegetarian if needed.
I recommend using a low sodium vegetable broth. This is one of the easiest and tastiest vegetarian soup recipes. This is also naturally a gluten-free recipe.
How to Freeze
You can easily freeze the lentil soup and put in the freezer for a quick meal later.
It will keep in the freezer up to 3 months if you use freezer bags or containers.
Get more tips and tricks on how to freeze soup.
Reheating Leftovers
Thaw overnight in the fridge. Heat on the stove using low to medium heat until heated through. The microwave can also be used if you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
No you don’t have to. Everything gets tossed into the instant pot for a really easy meal. Just throw it all in and have dinner ready in minutes.
Green lentils tend to have a stronger flavor and they taste slightly peppery. Red lentils are sweeter and take less time to cook.
Keep in the fridge inside in airtight container. It will keep up to 5 days.
More Instant Pot Soup Recipes
- Instant Pot Creamy Taco Soup Recipe
- Ham and Bean Instant Pot Soup Recipe
- Instant Pot Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe
- Instant Pot Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe
After you make this pressure cooker lentil soup, come back and rate the recipe and leave a comment. We love hearing from you!
20 Minute Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 16 ounce brown lentils
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 carrots peeled and finely chopped
- 1 can diced roasted tomatoes (15 oz)
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Place everything in the Instant pot except the parsley. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
- Add the lid and set the valve to the sealing position on the lid.
- Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- When it is finished allow it to naturally release for 10 minutes. Then move the valve on the lid from the sealing position to the venting position to finish releasing all the pressure from the Instant Pot.
- Remove the lid, stir in the parsley and serve.
- Serve warm and then enjoy!
So easy even I could make this! It was very good.
Super simple and tasty. The only change I made was to add a little red wine vinegar at the end. Yum!
On the menu for later this week. FYI – I read celery above but I think you forgot to list it in the recipe.
This sounds delicious, and I will be trying it tomorrow, because I have a bag of lentils in my pantry that I don’t know what to do with.