5 from 81 votes
Authentic Lentejas (Mexican Lentil Soup) Recipe
Authentic Lentejas is a Mexican lentil soup combining lentils with sautéed onion, carrots, celery, and garlic simmered in chicken broth with fresh tomato and seasoned with chicken bouillon, oregano, and black pepper. Cilantro added near the end gives a fresh herbal touch. The soup has a comforting texture from the tender lentils and soft vegetables, making it a nourishing meal suitable for any day.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
6
servings
Calories:
134 kcal
Course:
Main Course, Soup
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or grapeseed oil
- ½ onion diced in small squares, small, white or yellow
- 2 carrot diced in small squares, medium
- 1 celery diced in small squares, stick
- 1 garlic minced, clove
- 5 cups chicken broth warm, or vegetable broth
- 1 tomato diced in small squares, medium
- 1 cup lentils rinsed and dried, dry
- 1 cube chicken bouillon or ½ teaspoon Vegetarian No Chicken Base (better than bullion
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper fresh ground
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the 1 tablespoon oil.
- When the oil is hot, add the onion, carrots, celery and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables become a little soft, about 3 minutes.
- Add the broth, tomato, lentils, bullion, salt, pepper and oregano.
- When it starts to boil, add the cilantro and cover pot with lid. Bring to a simmer.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are soft, about 18 minutes. Check for taste and add more salt & pepper if desired.
- Serve hot. For extra flavor add a few dashes of hot sauce and a little squeezed fresh lime juice.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Prepare the soup up to three days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator.
- Add extra broth or water when reheating if the lentils have absorbed too much liquid.
- For added flavor, serve with hot sauce and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1cup
Calories
134kcal
(7%)
Carbohydrates
19g
(6%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
6g
(9%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
6mg
(2%)
Sodium
988mg
(41%)
Fiber
7g
(28%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 134
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cup | |
| Calories | 134kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 19g | 6% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 6mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 988mg | 41% |
| Fiber | 7g | 28% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.