Mexican Lentil Soup with Roasted Garlic and Chilies
Warm up with a bowl of vibrant Mexican Lentil Soup with Roasted Garlic and Chilies, a comforting and flavorful dish that's perfect for any season. This hearty soup features tender lentils simmered in a rich vegetable broth enhanced by smoky poblano and chipotle chilies, aromatic cumin, and warm smoked paprika. The addition of roasted garlic brings a deeply savory sweetness that elevates every spoonful. Packed with wholesome vegetables and finished with a zesty squeeze of lime and optional fresh cilantro, this one-pot vegan recipe is as nutritious as it is delicious. Ideal for meal prep or a cozy family dinner, this easy lentil soup comes together in under an hour and can be customized to your spice preference. Perfectly spiced, smoky, and satisfying, it’s a tribute to the bold, comforting flavors of Mexican cuisine.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried lentils
- 1 whole garlic bulb
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion
- 2 medium carrot
- 2 celery stalks
- 1 large poblano chili
- 1 chipotle chili in adobo sauce
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup tomatoes (diced, canned or fresh)
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 lime
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Slice off the top of the garlic bulb to expose the cloves slightly. Drizzle it with 1 tablespoon olive oil, wrap it in aluminum foil, and roast in the oven for 30-35 minutes until the cloves are golden and soft.
Meanwhile, rinse the lentils under cold water and set them aside.
Chop the onion, carrots, and celery into small, even-sized pieces. Dice the poblano chili and set them aside.
In a large pot, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
Stir in the diced poblano chili, chipotle chili, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the diced tomatoes, rinsed lentils, and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
Once the garlic is roasted, squeeze the soft cloves out of their skins and mash them into a paste. Stir the roasted garlic into the soup.
Season the soup with salt and black pepper, tasting and adjusting as necessary. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Serve the soup hot with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and garnish with chopped cilantro, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
522 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 14.7 g | 19% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.7 g | 13% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1433 mg | 62% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 80.8 g | 29% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.7 g | 52% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.4 g | ||
| Protein | 24.0 g | 48% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 179 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 6.7 mg | 37% | |
| Potassium | 1663 mg | 35% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
