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Home » French Lentil Soup

French Lentil Soup

Written on March 16, 2016

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Soups like this one are very nostalgic to me.  One bite with its familiar and comforting flavors transports me back to Europe.  I’m biased but I stand by the conviction that some of the best soups and stews come from Germany and France.  And not surprisingly many of their soups share quite a bit in common with each other.

This French Lentil Soup could just as accurately be labeled as a German soup as the ingredients and flavors are very typical of what you’d find in many regions of Germany as well.  But since we’re using French lentils and because you can find soups like this in France as well, we’re going to go ahead and attribute this one to France.  So here’s to my French friends and French food fans.  Vive la France!

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Today’s soup takes us to the Le Puy region of France.

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Above images courtesy Konrad Hädener via CC licensing

Le Puy is famous for its cathedral, lace-making and…its lentils.  It’s home to the Le Puy lentil, commonly referred to as the French lentil.

What distinguishes these lentils is their color, flavor and shape-holding characteristics.   Le Puy lentils are small with a slate-green color and blue marbling.  They have a slight peppery flavor and are preferred among many cooks because, unlike their brown lentil cousins that turn mushy after a while, they hold their shape during cooking.

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This French Lentil Soup is deliciously rich and satisfying.  You’re going to love it!

Ready to make some soup?

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Let’s get started!

In a stock pot cook the bacon over medium-high heat until done.

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Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent and golden, 7-10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.

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Add the celeriac, leek and carrots and cook for another 4-5 minutes or until beginning to soften.

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Add the lentils and cook for another minute or two.

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Add all remaining ingredients except for the parsley and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

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Stir in the parsley and add salt and pepper to taste.

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Serve with some crusty bread and/or a leafy green salad.  This soup makes excellent leftovers and the flavors will be even more pronounced the next day.

Enjoy!

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French Lentil Soup

Kimberly Killebrew, www.daringgourmet.com
Travel the French countryside with your tastebuds!  This soup is deep and delicious with layers of flavors that will keep you happy the whole meal through.
Print Recipe
4.91 from 22 votes
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Total Time 1 hr
Servings 6 servings
Calories 254 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 4 ounces bacon ,diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion ,chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic ,minced
  • 2 medium carrots ,diced
  • 1/2 medium celeriac ,aka celery root, diced
  • 1 large leek ,chopped, thoroughly rinsed and drained
  • 6 cups quality chicken broth
  • 1 cup French Le Puy lentils ,aka French lentils, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions
 

  • In a stock pot cook the bacon over medium-high heat until done. Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent and golden, 7-10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the celeriac, leek and carrots and cook for another 4-5 minutes or until beginning to soften. Add the lentils and cook for another minute or two. Add all remaining ingredients except for the parsley and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Stir in the parsley and add salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 1448mg | Potassium: 825mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3900IU | Vitamin C: 31.3mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this recipe? Mention @daringgourmet or hashtag #daringgourmet

 

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Topics include: Affiliate, All Recipes, By Course, By Type of Dish, Disclosure, Food, France, Germany, Main Dishes, Soups & Stews, Western Europe as well as: bacon, carrots, celeriac, celery root, French, German, leek, lentils, puy lentils, soup, stew59 Comments →

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59 Responses

  1. Mandy McChesney says

    February 15, 2021 at 1:31 pm

    In your post you mention that the Le Puy lentils hold together better than normal lentils. In my experience, vinegar (or acids) can help hold vegetables like beans, lentils, and potatoes together in a boiling pot. Is the vinegar a traditional ingredient for this recipe?

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      February 15, 2021 at 2:25 pm

      Hi Mandy, the vinegar in this is for the flavor and yes, it is a traditional ingredient.

      Reply
  2. Darrin McKillip says

    January 9, 2021 at 11:44 am

    Love this recipe! Easy, quick and full of flavor I’m not a fan of celeriac, but I added celery and parsnips . Perfect soup for this cold winter day

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      January 9, 2021 at 7:34 pm

      Wonderful, Darrin, thanks so much!

      Reply
  3. Kelsey says

    December 10, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    Thank you for this recipe! I just made it, with some substitutions because I didn’t have everything, but it guided me to making one of the most delicious soups ever. I didn’t have celeriac or leeks so I used celery and added some sweet potato (because I like sweet potato), had to sub in some red lentils because I didn’t have enough of the regular kind, and cooked the onions lower and slower for that caramelized flavor. But I think the bacon and red wine vinegar really make it! I’ll be adding this to my regular rotation this winter.

    *Also, adding a little shaved parmesan to my bowl definitely didn’t hurt ;)

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      December 17, 2020 at 9:43 am

      So awesome, Kelsey, thank you for the feedback!

      Reply
  4. MB Whitcomb says

    November 24, 2020 at 2:47 pm

    Used celery instead of celeriac, did not have any leeks, used herbs du Provence and some home made red wine vinegar. Carrots right out of the garden. Did not have parsley so I picked some kale and pulled the rib, chopping well and adding just at serving. I only had plain old green lentils and made my stock from 2 cubes Knorr veggie and 2 cubes chicken stock. Loved every bit!

    Reply
  5. Heather says

    September 30, 2020 at 11:40 am

    What can you use as a substitute for French Le Put lentils?

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 30, 2020 at 12:59 pm

      Hi Heather, you can use regular lentils – brown or green. Le Puy just hold their shape better and don’t get mushy.

      Reply
  6. Mary says

    September 4, 2020 at 12:42 pm

    Do you add a stock?

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 4, 2020 at 10:56 pm

      Hi Mary, yes this recipe uses chicken broth.

      Reply
  7. Dina says

    January 12, 2020 at 7:46 pm

    Very flavourful! Everyone, including the kids, loved it. Will definitely make it again For those who don’t want bacon, you could replace with a little applewood salt.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      January 13, 2020 at 8:42 am

      Wonderful, Dina, thanks so much!

      Reply
  8. Diane says

    November 14, 2019 at 7:36 pm

    This is wonderful, I added croutons, and Parmesan cheese on just before serving

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      November 14, 2019 at 10:27 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Diane, thank you!

      Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    October 29, 2019 at 3:05 pm

    Delicious!

    Reply
  10. Vicki Sullivan says

    April 18, 2019 at 1:09 am

    This soup is amazing. Really enjoyed the aromas as it cooked. Will be making this regularly. Thanks so much .

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      April 18, 2019 at 8:46 am

      Thanks so much, Vicki, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  11. N says

    April 15, 2019 at 4:49 pm

    I’ve been looking for a French lentil soup recipe that isn’t tomato based. I decided to make this on a whim and didn’t have celeriac so doubled up on carrots. It was such an amazing, delicious and simple soup. My one criticism is that the soup is way too salty – and I love salt. I had to add nearly the same amount of water as stock. But the soup is so fabulous that I’ll be making this many times again and add salt to taste. Fabulous recipe!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      April 15, 2019 at 10:37 pm

      Thank you, N, I’m glad you enjoyed it and appreciate the honest feedback!

      Reply
  12. Carolanne says

    January 6, 2019 at 7:42 am

    Best Lentil Soup I’ve ever made or had. I’ve shared this recipe at least 4 times now. One quick trick I got from cooks illustrated was to soak the lentils in warm water (100 degrees) with a tsp of salt for an hour. Then rinse and drain. Apparently it softens the shell a little and minimizes the cracking during making the soup.

    This also freezes in a ball jar really well.

    Thanks again

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      January 6, 2019 at 9:08 am

      Thank you, Carolanne, I’m so glad you enjoyed it and appreciate the feedback!

      Reply
  13. Mike Keiser says

    December 2, 2018 at 5:57 pm

    Easy and delicious. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      December 2, 2018 at 8:58 pm

      Thanks, Mike, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  14. Elaine says

    December 2, 2018 at 3:41 pm

    Just veganized this. Used olive oil and a little coconut oil. Subbed one and half lemons for wine vinegar. And, wow! This is just terrific.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      December 2, 2018 at 4:22 pm

      Awesome, Elaine, thanks for the feedback!

      Reply
  15. Marialice Morales says

    November 15, 2018 at 10:02 am

    This is on the stove now – doing a veggie version without bacon and using veg broth – I love the comment suggesting the use of duck fat – will add that to my pantry soon – great idea as one son is a “whoknowswhat-atarian” – rules to what proteins he will eat – duck passes. Also I am intrigued by the absence of tomatoes as most other recipes I looked at had those and looking forward to this exceptional recipe.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      November 17, 2018 at 10:47 am

      Thank you, Marialice, I hope everyone enjoyed it!

      Reply
  16. Marguerite Kopiec says

    April 13, 2018 at 4:34 pm

    I ommitted the bacon and fried lightly the onion and other veggies in duck fat (in a cast iron frying pan). Then deglazed the pan with white wine and added everything to the pot with lentils.
    You cannot beat that!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      April 14, 2018 at 12:12 am

      Duck fat makes practically everything taste better, Marguerite! :) Glad you enjoyed the soup, thank you!

      Reply
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