Smoky Sweet Potato Lentil Soup
Brown lentils hold their shape in a smoky broth with sweet potato and carrot. Lemon juice at the end keeps this hearty soup from tasting heavy.
Serves: 4–6 | Estimated total time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 cup dry brown or green lentils, sorted and rinsed
- 1 large sweet potato (about 12 ounces), peeled and diced
- 5 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
How to make it
- Warm oil in a pot over medium heat. Cook onion and carrot 7 minutes.
- Add garlic, paprika, cumin and tomato paste; stir 1 minute.
- Add lentils, sweet potato and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Cook partially covered 25–35 minutes until lentils and sweet potato are tender, adding water if needed.
- Stir in lemon, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Helpful tips
Older lentils can take longer to soften. Keep simmering and add liquid as needed instead of relying only on the clock.
Storage and reheating
Refrigerate perishable leftovers in shallow covered containers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour above 90°F. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below and use within 3–4 days. For dishes served hot, reheat leftovers to 165°F throughout. Keep bread and crisp toppings separate until serving. See USDA leftover storage guidance.
Common question
Can I use red lentils? They break down much faster and create a different, thicker texture; use brown or green for this version.
Keep your seasonings organized
Recipes like this put cumin and smoked paprika into regular rotation. Give your jars a dedicated spot with the Spiceo four-piece wall-mounted spice rack set. Mounting hardware is included; jars and spices are not included.
More recipes to try
Recipe image is AI-generated for illustration. Results vary with ingredients and equipment; this recipe has not been kitchen-tested.