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Best Lentil Tortilla Soup Recipe for a Cozy Dinner

lentil tortilla soup - featured image

This lentil tortilla soup is cozy, filling, and packed with flavor—perfect for chilly nights or when you need something nourishing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup dry red lentils
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 34 corn tortillas, cut into strips and crisped
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Fresh cilantro, optional, chopped

Instructions

  1. Heat a large pot over medium heat and add a drizzle of oil. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic and diced carrots to the pot. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
  3. Stir in the spices—cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper—and let them toast for 30 seconds to release their flavors.
  4. Add the lentils, canned tomatoes, and vegetable broth to the pot. Stir everything together and bring to a boil.
  5. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
  6. While the soup is simmering, crisp up your tortilla strips. Heat a skillet with a little oil over medium and fry the strips until golden and crunchy. Remove and set aside.
  7. Once the lentils are cooked, squeeze in the lime juice and adjust the seasoning as needed. If the soup is too thick, add a splash of water or broth.
  8. Serve the soup hot, topped with tortilla strips, fresh cilantro, and any other toppings you love.

Notes

[‘Don’t skip toasting the spices to enhance their flavors.’, ‘Adjust the spice level to your preference by adding or reducing chili powder.’, ‘Prep veggies and measure spices ahead of time for a smoother cooking process.’, ‘For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to blend part of the lentils.’, ‘If the soup is too thick, add more broth or water; if too thin, simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: lentil tortilla soup, healthy soup recipe, vegetarian soup, cozy dinner, easy soup recipe