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!
Today’s soup takes us to the Le Puy region of France.
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.
This French Lentil Soup is deliciously rich and satisfying. You’re going to love it!
Ready to make some soup?
Let’s get started!
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.
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!
French Lentil Soup
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
Lisa B says
Amazing soup with such a great flavor, the broth was so sweet (literally!) Can’t put my finger on what made it that way?! Must b the fresh thyme, I used more like a Tbsp lol, but no parsley, substituted celery for celeriac, but went by the book on the rest…delicious! Thank u for posting😋
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you, Lisa, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Mandy McChesney says
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?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Mandy, the vinegar in this is for the flavor and yes, it is a traditional ingredient.
Darrin McKillip says
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
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, Darrin, thanks so much!
Kelsey says
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 ;)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
So awesome, Kelsey, thank you for the feedback!
MB Whitcomb says
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!
Heather says
What can you use as a substitute for French Le Put lentils?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Heather, you can use regular lentils – brown or green. Le Puy just hold their shape better and don’t get mushy.
Mary says
Do you add a stock?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Mary, yes this recipe uses chicken broth.
Dina says
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.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, Dina, thanks so much!
Diane says
This is wonderful, I added croutons, and Parmesan cheese on just before serving
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Diane, thank you!
Anonymous says
Delicious!
Vicki Sullivan says
This soup is amazing. Really enjoyed the aromas as it cooked. Will be making this regularly. Thanks so much .
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks so much, Vicki, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
N says
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!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you, N, I’m glad you enjoyed it and appreciate the honest feedback!