Lentil soup is a hearty, nutritious and delicious staple in many cuisines around the world. However, sometimes this seemingly simple soup can turn out overly bland and lacking in flavor. There are a few key reasons why your lentil soup may be bland and some easy ways to fix it.
Common Reasons for Bland Lentil Soup
Here are some of the most common culprits when lentil soup doesn’t have enough flavor:
Not Enough Flavorful Liquid
One of the main issues is often not using an adequately flavorful cooking liquid. Water or low-sodium stock alone will rarely impart much taste. Try using vegetable or chicken broth instead of water. You can also include wine, beer or a splash of vinegar to brighten up the flavors.
Insufficient Spices and Herbs
Lentil soup needs a good blend of aromatics like garlic, onions and carrots plus dried and fresh herbs to liven it up. Not using enough spices or herbs results in a one-dimensional, dull soup. Make sure to season generously with salt and pepper too.
Overcooking the Lentils
It’s easy to overcook lentils, turning them to mush and causing them to lose their texture. This also washes out their earthy, nutty flavor. Be careful not to overcook them. Lentils should be tender but still hold their shape when done.
Not Enough Flavorful Vegetables
The vegetables are key for providing rich, complex flavor. Not including enough vegetables like carrots, celery, peppers or tomatoes means missing out on opportunities to make the soup taste vibrant.
Fat Content is Too Low
Some fat from oil or butter helps carry the flavors. Making the soup too lean and fat-free can result in a lack of richness in taste. Don’t be afraid to use a little healthy fat.
Acidic Ingredients Are Missing
Ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar or tomato paste help brighten and balance out the earthiness of lentils. Not including something acidic can make the soup flat. Even just a squeeze of lemon at the end makes a difference.
Tips to Boost Lentil Soup Flavor
Here are some easy ways to pump up the flavor in bland lentil soup:
Sauté the Lentils
Start by sautéing the dry lentils in olive oil with aromatic ingredients like onion, garlic and spices for a few minutes. This adds a depth of flavor that you don’t get from just boiling the lentils in liquid.
Use a Flavorful Cooking Liquid
Opt for vegetable, chicken or beef broth instead of plain water. You can also include red or white wine, tomato juice or a splash of vinegar. This provides a flavor base for the soup.
Add Herbs and Spices
Don’t be shy with herbs like oregano, basil, parsley, cilantro and thyme. Spices like cumin, paprika, curry powder and chili powder work well too. Fresh and dried herbs pair nicely. Season with salt and pepper.
Include Lots of Vegetables
Onions, carrots, celery, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes and greens like kale or spinach provide complexity. The more vegetables, the richer the flavor. You can also add a parmesan rind while cooking.
Finish with a Flavor Booster
Stir in a splash of lemon juice, vinegar or tomato paste right before serving. You can also garnish with a drizzle of olive oil or dollop of yogurt for a fresh flavor pop.
Top with Herbs and Spices
Chopped fresh herbs, toasted cumin seeds, smoked paprika, sumac or chili oil can all provide an extra layer of flavor without much effort.
Blend Some of the Soup
Mashing some of the cooked lentil and vegetable mixture adds thickness and increases the savory, hearty taste. You still get texture from the lentils left whole.
Simmer Uncovered
Letting the soup simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes helps intensify the flavors as some liquid evaporates. Just keep an eye on the pot so it doesn’t reduce too much.
Add a Parmesan Rind
Tossing in a parmesan rind while the soup simmers infuses a delicious, cheesy Umami flavor. Remove the rind before serving.
Sample Spice Blends for Flavor
Spice blends are an easy way to quickly amp up the flavor of lentil soup. Here are combinations you can try:
| Spice Blend | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Moroccan | Cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne, paprika |
| Indian | Curry powder, ginger, turmeric, garlic, cumin |
| Italian | Oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, sage |
| Mexican | Chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic, cayenne |
Use about 1-2 tablespoons of the blend and adjust amounts as needed. The spices infuse the soup with instant big flavor.
Hearty Vegetable and Lentil Soup Recipe
This recipe packs all the tips for flavor into one lentil soup:
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian herb blend
- 1⁄4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup green lentils, rinsed
- 2 cups chopped kale or spinach
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté 5 minutes until translucent.
- Add carrots, celery and garlic. Sauté 5 minutes more until vegetables are softened.
- Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Cook 1 minute.
- Add broth, lentils, kale/spinach and canned tomatoes. Bring to boil.
- Reduce heat, cover and simmer 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot, garnished with parmesan cheese if desired.
This soup makes excellent use of flavor boosting ingredients like sautéed aromatics, vegetables, tomatoes, broth and lemon juice. The result is a tasty, vibrant lentil soup.
Conclusion
With a few simple tweaks, it’s easy to fix a bland lentil soup and make it delicious. Sautéing the lentils, using flavorful broth, adding ample herbs and spices and incorporating vegetables, acid and fat are key. Follow the flavor building tips and lentil soup recipe outlined and you’ll never end up with a boring bowl again. Lentils are packed with protein, fiber and nutrients. With full flavor, they make for a hearty, satisfying and healthy soup option.