A soup with simple flavors, stacked with protein and iron, and amazing taste. This Greek lentil soup brings me the comfort of home every time.
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. 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 are created with just a handful of wholesome ingredients. Here is what you need:
- Lentils
- Onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- Garlic
- Tomato sauce
- Veggie broth
- Seasonings
How to Make Lentil Soup
This comforting soup is so easy to put together, which makes me love it even more! Here’s what to do:
- Rinse and partially cook the lentils. Strain and set aside.
- Sauté the veggies and garlic.
- Add the lentils, tomato sauce, and spices.
- Add broth and bay leaves, then simmer.
- Enjoy!
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 it.
- We prefer French green lentils for a firmer consistency but any type can be used. 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. Keep an eye on your lentils while pre-cooking to make sure they are cooked enough as they vary in cooking time depending on the color used.
- 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
This 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 drop biscuits, or any of the following recipes:
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.
- The cooked lentil soup can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- You can also freeze this soup 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
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.
Lentil soup ends up tasting like they veggies and herbs you use. Because the lentils themselves are mild, they absorb the flavors of whatever they are cooked in.
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.
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.
It depends on what texture you prefer. Green lentils are a bit more ‘al dente’, where brown lentils are more tender.
Nope! Lentils do not need to be soaked before cooking.
More Vegan Soup Recipes
Cozy up with any of these healthy plant based soups all Fall and Winter long:
- Creamy Winter Squash Soup
- Healthy Sweet Potato Soup
- Vegan Carrot Soup
- Pozole Verde
- Tuscan Ribollita Soup
Easy Greek Lentil Soup (Fakes Recipe)
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!
- Wash and chop the veggies. Rinse and partially cook the lentils.
- 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
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Kathleen says
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!
veggiesdontbite says
Yay! I am so happy you like it! And my lips are sealed. I won’t tell a soul! Ha!
Gail says
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 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
I am so happy you and your neighbor liked it Gail!! Thanks so much for letting me know!
Sarah says
SO comforting and delicious. Just perfection!
Patricia says
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.
veggiesdontbite says
Make it your own however you please Patricia! Hope you enjoy it!
Tanya says
This was delicious!!! And very easy to make!!
veggiesdontbite says
So happy to hear!
Audrey says
DELICIOUS!!!! Thank you! My Greek husband loves it too!!!
veggiesdontbite says
Yay! So happy to hear Audrey!
Aaron says
This is an awesome go-to recipe for Vegans and Vegetarians! Thanks for sharing.
veggiesdontbite says
You are welcome Aaron! So happy you like it!
Melissa says
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!
veggiesdontbite says
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!
Carol says
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!!!
veggiesdontbite says
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!
Carol says
Thanks for such a delicious recipe, Mom!!! Going to try your whipped hummus next!
Keep the delish coming!
veggiesdontbite says
So happy you liked it!!
Donna says
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.
veggiesdontbite says
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!
Vicky K (Beauty and the food beast) says
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!
veggiesdontbite says
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!
Adrienne says
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!