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5.0 from 60 votes

Green Lentil Soup with Curried Brown Butter

A simple and flavorful recipe that's sure to be a favorite.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 6 Servings
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic chopped
  • ¼ - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 5 ½ cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 ½ cups green lentils or green split peas picked over and rinsed
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon Indian curry powder
  • ¾ cup coconut milk light or regular
  • ¼ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
  • Toasted bread or croutons for dipping optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the 2 tablespoons butter, onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes, stirring regularly, until the onions soften, about 5-7 minutes. Add the chicken or vegetable broth and lentils and simmer, covered, until the lentils are tender, anywhere from 20-50 minutes, so check occasionally.
  2. While the lentils simmer, melt the 3 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and let it brown (watch it carefully since butter can go from brown to burned quickly!). When it starts to smell nutty and fragrant, stir in the curry powder and cook for about 30 seconds.
  3. When the lentils are finished cooking, remove the pot from the heat, stir in the coconut milk and 1/4 teaspoon salt and puree with an immersion blender (or carefully transfer the hot soup to a blender in batches and puree before returning to the pot). Blend the soup until completely smooth or leave with a bit of texture; your choice.
  4. Stir in half of the spiced butter to the soup and add additional salt to taste, if needed.
  5. Serve the soup drizzled with the remaining spice butter and toasted bread if using.

Notes

  • Red Pepper Flakes: I gave a range for red pepper flakes. They add a delicious flavor balance but if you want a slight hint of heat, use more; if not, use less.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Serving Calories 360kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 36g (12%) Protein 18g (36%) Fat 18g (28%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Cholesterol 25mg (8%) Sodium 258mg (11%) Fiber 16g (64%) Sugar 2g (4%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 Serving
Calories 360kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 36g 12%
Protein 18g 36%
Fat 18g 28%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 25mg 8%
Sodium 258mg 11%
Fiber 16g 64%
Sugar 2g 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.