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    Home ▸ Vegan Soups

    Easy Greek Lentil Soup (Fakes Recipe)

    Last modified: October 5, 2022. Originally posted: July 16, 2022 By Sophia DeSantis

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    Collage of lentil soup cooking in a pot, a spoon getting a bite from a bowl and a final photo in two bowls with overlay text.
    Greek lentil soup with carrots and parsley garnish in orange soup bowl with a spoon in it.

    Greek lentil soup, also called Fakes soupa, has simple ingredients and is full of protein and iron. It's super healthy, easy to make and tastes incredible!

    This fakes recipe is so comforting, it reminds me of my childhood. It was a staple growing up and still remains one today!

    An orange and a yellow soup bowl filled with lentil veggie soup on a yellow checkered towel next to toppings
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    This post was originally published on May 27, 2015.

    This recipe reminds me of my childhood. I love the simplicity, how both my dad and I top it off with hot sauce and how nutritious it is!

    Fakes is the Greek name for lentil soup, which is pronounced 'Fah-kehs'. This hearty soup is a popular family friendly meal that is not only delicious, but nutritious as well! Just like any classic recipe, there are many variations, but the following is our favorite plant based way to make it.

    Ingredients

    The cozy flavors of green lentil soup are created with just a handful of wholesome ingredients. Here is what you need:

    • Lentils 
    • Onion
    • Carrots 
    • Celery 
    • Garlic
    • Tomato sauce
    • Veggie broth 
    • Seasonings
    The ingredients needed for a veggie lentil soup in bowls on a yellow and white towel

    The Best Lentils for Soup

    • French green lentils are the most "al dente". We prefer the firmer consistency in this fakes soup.
    • Brown are a little softer for an in-between firm and mushy texture.
    • Red are the softest. I wouldn't suggest red as they may get too mushy. However, some people like to let them get extra mushy to thicken the broth, it's all personal preference!

    No matter what color you use, keep an eye on them while pre-cooking to make sure they are cooked enough as they vary in cooking time.

    How to Make a Lentil Soup

    This comforting soup is so easy to put together, which makes me love it even more! Here's what to do:

    1. Rinse and partially cook the lentils. Strain and set aside.
    2. Sauté the veggies and garlic.
    3. Add the lentils, tomato sauce, and spices.
    4. Mix in the broth and bay leaves, then simmer and enjoy!
    A blue colander filled with lentils on a yellow checkered towel
    Wooden spoon mixing carrots, celery and onion in a pot on a checkered towel
    A big pot with lentils, carrots, celery and onion being sauteed
    Wooden spoon stirring veggie lentil soup in a big pot

    Flavor suggestions

    This classic recipe is excellent as it is, but sometimes it's fun to change up the flavors a bit. Get creative and experiment each time you make this vegan lentil soup.

    • Adjust the amounts of oregano, salt, and pepper to fit your preference.
    • A sweet or yellow onion will give the best taste without overpowering the other flavors. Feel free to use a red onion as well for a stronger taste.
    • Mix in extra veggies! Try roasted peppers, peas, spinach, green beans, or anything you have on hand.
    • Try out a variety of herbs and spices like thyme, rosemary, cumin, coriander, paprika, or cayenne pepper.

    Serving suggestions

    Fakes soup is traditionally topped with white vinegar and lemon juice, but I like drizzling on some hot sauce. Dress it up any way you like and pair with some crusty bread or any of the following recipes:

    • Vegan Traditional Greek Salad
    • Greek Farro Salad
    • Vegan Mediterranean Orzo Salad
    • Lemon Kale Salad
    • Vegan Caesar Salad
    • Greek Farro Salad
    • The Best Vegan Panini
    • Falafel Sandwich
    • Gluten-Free Corn Bread
    • Broccoli Cauliflower Tots
    • Drop biscuits

    Meal prep and storage tips

    • Do a little preparation in advance to make things easier. You can wash and chop the vegetables and rinse and partially cook the lentils ahead of time.
    • Keep the prepared ingredients in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
    • The cooked Greek lentil soup can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    • You can also freeze lentil soup to save for later! Seal in a freezer safe airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
    • Re-warm the soup either on the stovetop or in the microwave.

    Common Questions

    What are the health benefits of lentil soup?

    Not only are lentils loaded with protein, iron, and fiber, but they are a great source of B vitamins, magnesium, zinc and potassium as well.

    What does lentil soup taste like?

    Lentil soup ends up tasting like the veggies and herbs you use. Because the lentils themselves are mild, they absorb the flavors of whatever they are cooked in.

    Do You Have To Soak The Lentils First?

    Nope! Lentils do not need to be soaked before cooking.

    Do you have to cook lentils before adding to soup?

    Partially pre-cooking the lentils before adding to a soup is a good idea to make sure they are cooked enough. However, if you don't mind simmering your soup for a long time, they can also be added in uncooked.

    What goes with lentil soup?

    Topping lentil soup with vinegar, lemon juice, or hot sauce tastes amazing. Crusty bread is ideal for dipping, and fresh salads make a nice accompaniment for a complete meal.

    Should I Use Green Or Brown Lentils?

    It depends on what texture you prefer. Green lentils are a bit more 'al dente', where brown lentils are more tender.

    More Vegan Soup Recipes

    If you enjoy this fakes recipe make sure to cozy up with any of these healthy plant based soups all Fall and Winter long:

    • Vegan Tortilla Soup
    • Thai Coconut Curry Soup
    • Easy Vegan Italian Wedding Soup
    • Creamy Winter Squash Soup
    • Healthy Sweet Potato Soup
    • Vegan Carrot Soup
    • Pozole Verde
    • Tuscan Ribollita Soup
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    Two bowls of lentil soup with carrots and sprinkled with parsley and a bay leaf.

    Easy Greek Lentil Soup (Fakes Recipe)

    Sophia DeSantis
    Greek lentil soup, also called Fakes soupa, has simple ingredients and is full of protein and iron. It's super healthy, easy to make and tastes incredible!
    4.84 from 12 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Shop Ingredients
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Soup
    Cuisine Greek
    Servings 5
    Calories 186 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 cup lentils , see note
    • 1 cup sweet or yellow onion
    • 1 cup chopped carrots , about 2 large
    • 1 cup chopped celery , about 2 sticks
    • drizzle oil to sauté , or broth if you don't use oil
    • 3 cloves garlic , chopped
    • 2 - 4 tablespoons tomato sauce
    • 1-2 teaspoons dried oregano
    • ½ - 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 5-6 cups veggie broth , low sodium if needed
    • 3 bay leaves

    Traditional toppings to drizzle on top:

    • vinegar
    • lemon juice
    • hot sauce (not traditional but I love it)
    • fresh parsley

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse the lentils and add them to a pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Cook for about three minutes or until half done. Strain and set aside.
    • In the pot, sauté the onion, carrot and celery with oil or broth until semi soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for about one minute.
    • Add lentils and tomato sauce and stir for one minute. Start with 2 tablespoons tomato sauce and add more according to preferred flavor. Then add oregano, salt and pepper.
    • Add the 5 cups of veggie broth, and bay leaves.
    • Bring to a boil and simmer over very low heat until lentils and vegetables are cooked, about 15 minutes. Check periodically to see if more broth is needed.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    • The oregano, salt, and pepper can be adjusted to achieve the flavor you want.
    • I use French green lentils in this because I like the firmer consistency of lentils, but you can use any color. Green are the most "al dente", brown are a little softer and red are the softest. I wouldn't suggest red as they may get too mushy. But make sure to check your lentils while pre-cooking to make sure they are cooked enough as they vary in cooking time depending on color used.
    • Traditionally this soup is also topped off with the white vinegar and lemon juice, but I prefer to add a touch of hot sauce like my dad!
    Tips to prep ahead:
    • Wash and chop the veggies. Rinse and partially cook the lentils.
    Baby/toddler food idea:
    • Blend soup with an immersion blender or put into blender for baby food. If your baby is still sensitive to acidic food like tomatoes, do not add tomato sauce. You can serve to toddler as is or strain out broth for a less messy meal. You can also pulse to make it a thicker porridge like meal.

    Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 186kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 11gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 393mgPotassium: 637mgFiber: 14gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 4492IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 4mg

    Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.

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    1. Tiffany

      December 24, 2022 at 4:29 pm

      Fantastic!

      Reply
      • Sophia DeSantis

        December 26, 2022 at 2:00 pm

        So thrilled you liked it!

        Reply
    2. Sarah

      July 21, 2022 at 5:24 pm

      So hearty and delicious!

      Reply
    3. Kathleen

      January 19, 2022 at 10:19 pm

      This is my go to lentil soup recipe now on repeat! It’s such a simple recipe but it’s oh so flavorful. And shhhh…. sometimes we've eaten the leftovers cold not even waiting to heat it up - it’s that good!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        January 20, 2022 at 11:24 am

        Yay! I am so happy you like it! And my lips are sealed. I won't tell a soul! Ha!

        Reply
    4. Gail

      January 15, 2022 at 4:47 pm

      I made this soup today for lunch. It was delicious to say the least (and quick and easy). We finished the pot (made almost double the recipe) tonight for dinner. Yummy! I also brought some to my neighbor who said that lentil soup would not be her choice if she were ordering out, "HOWEVER....yours was delicious."
      I added a few pinches of crushed red pepper, definitely added the lemon juice at the end, and served with lemon wedges. I also boiled the green lentils for at least 15 minutes, and then they finished cooking while the veggies finished up.
      I will definitely be making this again 🙂

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        January 16, 2022 at 8:16 pm

        I am so happy you and your neighbor liked it Gail!! Thanks so much for letting me know!

        Reply
    5. Sarah

      September 27, 2021 at 7:16 am

      SO comforting and delicious. Just perfection!

      Reply
    6. Patricia

      July 01, 2021 at 7:02 pm

      I think I'm going to try some cubed ham, broccoli, and tumeric, just to see what it tastes like. Next time I might use white ground turkey breast.

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        July 01, 2021 at 9:18 pm

        Make it your own however you please Patricia! Hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    7. Tanya

      March 28, 2021 at 10:05 pm

      This was delicious!!! And very easy to make!!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        April 01, 2021 at 5:39 pm

        So happy to hear!

        Reply
    8. Audrey

      January 02, 2021 at 11:43 am

      DELICIOUS!!!! Thank you! My Greek husband loves it too!!!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        January 03, 2021 at 8:16 pm

        Yay! So happy to hear Audrey!

        Reply
    9. Aaron

      March 20, 2020 at 4:20 pm

      This is an awesome go-to recipe for Vegans and Vegetarians! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        March 20, 2020 at 10:35 pm

        You are welcome Aaron! So happy you like it!

        Reply
    10. Melissa

      January 21, 2019 at 5:54 pm

      This was excellent! Even my Greek husband thought so 😉

      Not exactly like his Mom's (of course) but he ate two bowls of it - as did my toddler son!

      We'll make this again - thanks so much!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        January 21, 2019 at 6:15 pm

        Hi Melissa!! I am so happy to hear! We love this soup so much. And of course, we all love our own Greek mom's food. HAHA!

        Reply
    11. Carol

      October 17, 2018 at 10:52 am

      This is THE best lentil soup ever!! --- hands down!
      Love the simplicity of the recipe.
      Flavor is perfection. Texture too!
      My husband and a neighbor LOVED it...me too.
      Will make again + again.
      Thank you!!!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        October 17, 2018 at 11:44 am

        Awe Carol! Yay! I am thrilled that you guys loved it! My mom is actually here right now and read your review. It is her recipe that has been passed down to me, she is very happy she can pass it on to others! Thank you so so much for leaving a review!

        Reply
        • Carol

          November 17, 2019 at 9:04 am

          Thanks for such a delicious recipe, Mom!!! Going to try your whipped hummus next!
          Keep the delish coming!

        • veggiesdontbite

          November 17, 2019 at 10:01 pm

          So happy you liked it!!

    12. Donna

      February 01, 2018 at 12:22 am

      This is the best lentil soup I’ve ever tasted. The lemon juice and vinegar at the end really lifts it. I will definitely be making this again. Big thanks to you and your Mum for this yummy recipe.

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        February 02, 2018 at 3:47 pm

        Wow thank you so much Donna!!! It really is one of my favorite soups. I'm so happy you enjoyed it as much as we do!

        Reply
    13. Vicky K (Beauty and the food beast)

      February 21, 2017 at 3:40 am

      I guess you are from Greece!!!!!!!
      Love lentil soup...we don't usually use carrots and celery....but i guess it will be yummy!!
      But...why not using oil???without oil they won't taste nice...they will be like steamed or nerovrasta (water boiled) as we say in Greece!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        February 23, 2017 at 11:34 pm

        Hi Vicky! Yes, I am Greek! My parents were born and raised there and I am first generation here in the US. My mom always used carrots and celery in her fakes, so this recipe is based on her original. It is very good! As for the oil, I tend not to use much oil in my cooking for health reasons. I use mostly whole food fats like nuts, avocado and others, but only use a touch of oil when I feel it is necessary for taste purposes. In this soup I don't feel it is needed. You can saute the vegetables in broth, not water, and get a wonderful taste without the added oil fats. But you can also use oil to saute if you wish! Thank you for being here! Efxaristo!

        Reply
    14. Adrienne

      December 08, 2016 at 10:12 am

      Hi! Does this lentil soup recipe freeze well? I'm making my mom freezer soups for Christmas and think this would be a hit - but I've never frozen lentil soup! Thanks!

      Reply
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