Bacon Lentil Soup
This hearty Bacon Lentil Soup is so simple to make and packed with flavor! Combining earthy lentils with smoky bacon and packed with veggies, this is an easy, economical and healthy dish that your family is going to love.
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board and knife
- paper towel lined plate
- slotted spoon
- large pot or dutch oven with a lid
Ingredients
- ½ lb bacon, diced
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- ½ cup celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup lentils, rinsed
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ lemon, juice of
- fresh parsley, chopped optional
Instructions
- Heat your soup pot over medium high heat. Add the diced bacon and cook for 7-9 minutes until crispy. Leave the bacon grease in the pot. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate and set aside. *Note: You can remove some of the bacon grease if desired but I typically leave it all.*
- In the same pot with the bacon grease add diced carrots, onion and celery and season with about a ½ teaspoon each of salt and black pepper. Cook over medium to medium high heat for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Add minced garlic, cumin and dried oregano. Cook for about a minute until fragrant.
- Add in lentils and stir to coat. Then stream in 6 cups of chicken broth. Add the bay leaf then bring the soup to a boil over high heat.
- Once a boil has been reached, turn the heat to low then cover the pot and simmer for about 30-45 minutes until tender. *The time will vary depending on the type of lentil used. Green and brown lentils tend to take a bit longer, while red lentils cook in less time.*
- Remove the soup from the heat and the bacon back to the pot along with a squeeze of lemon. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Serve topped with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Video
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!