Description
This Carrot and Lentil Soup is a hearty and flavorful soup that’s perfect for a chilly day. It features tender lentils, smoked ham hocks, and a variety of vegetables simmered in a rich broth.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups diced onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 bay leaves
- 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme (or Herbes de Provence)
- 2 quarts (8 cups) chicken broth
- 3–4 smoked ham hocks
- 1 pound lentils, rinsed (brown or any type)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots; season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes.
- Add aromatics: Add garlic, bay leaves, and thyme. Sauté for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
- Simmer ham hocks: Add chicken broth, tomatoes, and ham hocks to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, or until ham hocks are tender.
- Add lentils: Add lentils and cook for 30 minutes, or until tender.
- Shred ham hocks: Remove ham hocks from the pot, shred the meat, and return it to the soup. Discard the bones, fat, and skin.
- Adjust consistency and seasoning: If the soup is too thick, add more water. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with parsley (if using) and crusty bread.
Notes
- Sautéing the vegetables first adds depth of flavor to the soup.
- Simmer the ham hocks for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld.
- Make sure to cook the lentils until they are tender but not mushy.
- You can prep the vegetables and garlic ahead of time.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 510kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1180mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 18g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 70mg