Red Lentil Soup with Bacon
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
50 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
385 kcal
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Course
Soup
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Cuisine
Mediterranean
Red Lentil Soup with Bacon
Description
This soup begins by crisping bacon pieces then cooking grated carrots, onion, and bell pepper in the rendered bacon fat. Tomato paste and sweet smoked paprika add depth before adding red lentils and water to simmer with bay leaves until tender. The mixture is pureed smooth with an immersion blender to create a creamy texture without dairy.
The reserved crisp bacon pieces add savory crunch atop the velvety soup, while fresh scallion garnish provides sharp brightness. The combination delivers a hearty lentil base enriched by bacon's smoky flavor and the sweetness of vegetables and spices.
Ingredients
- 6 lices Bacon thick-cut
- 1 carrot medium, grated
- 1 onion medium, diced
- 1 bell pepper large, diced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp paprika sweet
- 16 oz red lentils
- 10 cups water
- bay leaf
- salt to taste
- scallion fresh, to garnish
Instructions
- Cut the bacon into medium-sized (about ½ inch) pieces. Cook it over high heat until it turns golden brown.
- Reduce the heat to medium, remove the bacon, and set aside. To the same pot, add the carrot, onion, and bell pepper.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add the tomato paste and paprika, and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Add the lentils, water, and bay leaves. Cover with a lid and cook for 30 minutes.
- After the soup is cooked through, remove the bay leaves and discard. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth. Add salt to taste.
- Serve the soup topped with the reserved bacon pieces and freshly chopped scallion.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 385 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 385kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 46g | 15% |
| Protein | 22g | 44% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.01g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.01g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.004g | 0% |
| Sodium | 14mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 447mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 11g | 44% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 100IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 1.7mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 3mg | 0% |
| Iron | 4.1mg | 23% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.