Instant Pot Lentil Soup is hearty, healthy, and delicious!
A mixture of veggies, lentils, and ground beef are pressure cooked for a tasty and healthful soup that just takes minutes to prepare!
Lentil Soup Made Easy
The best recipes with legumes and vegetables like cajun bean soup or this stovetop lentil soup are so easy to make.
Lentil soup is traditional in many cultures. Made with red lentils, green lentils, or any other variation, it creates a thick, stew-like broth. Beans and legumes of all kinds are heart-healthy, inexpensive, and delicious!
In this variation, I use ground beef and veggies with a flavorful broth and put it all together in the Instant Pot. (If you don’t have an Instant Pot you can get one here or make lentil soup on the stovetop).
What Kind Of Lentils Are Best?
Use any kind of lentils in this soup. It just depends on what consistency and color you prefer!
- Brown and Green Lentils hold their shape and texture well, making them the centerpiece of the soup. These are the lentils you see most often in stores and both tend to have a mild flavor. These are my preferred choice for soup (like in Crock pot ham & lentil soup).
- Red/Yellow Lentils are “split” meaning that they have been processed into small pieces. They do not hold their shape and almost melt into the soup (but they do thicken it nicely). Also known as Dahl, they will mix in with the broth and thicken it but aren’t ideal in this soup!
- Black Beluga and Puy Lentils can be hard to find and are also more expensive. Use these exotic varieties in a salad or as a special dish of their own. They’re a bit firm and have an earthier flavor.
How To Make Lentil Soup
You’ll love how simple this recipe is. It’s versatile, swap out beef for bacon or sausage… add in your favorite veggies!
- Sauté beef, onions, and garlic right in the Instant Pot. (Ground turkey or sausage work in this recipe too).
- Add remaining ingredients except for spinach. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Naturally release a few minutes, quick release any remaining pressure and stir in spinach. (Learn more about natural release/quick release here).
Garnish and enjoy! A delicious homemade soup ready in under an hour!
Serve this with…
Serve lentil soup with a fresh green salad or kale salad.
When serving soup recipes, I love to serve with either French bread or dinner rolls to dip and sop up any broth in the bowl.
Can You Freeze Lentil Soup?
You sure can! Just like ham and bean soup, this freezes like a dream. Ladle into freezer bags (we do individual servings) and lay flat until frozen. Once frozen, they can stand up nicely in the freezer to save space.
Easy Instant Pot Soups
- Instant Pot Potato Soup – easy comfort food!
- Instant Pot Chili – great weeknight meal
- Instant Pot Ham & Bean Soup – no soaking required!
- Instant Pot Beef Stew – hearty & effortless soup
- Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup – ready in under 30 mins!
- Instant Pot Split Pea Soup – tasty & hearty
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 onion diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 1 cup sliced carrot
- 1 large russet potato peeled and cubed
- 1 cup brown lentils or green lentils
- 6 cups beef broth
- 28 oz canned diced tomatoes with juices, 1 can
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt and black pepper to taste
- chopped fresh parsley for garnish, optional
- grated Parmesan cheese for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Turn a 6QT Instant Pot onto saute. Cook beef, onion, and garlic until browned and no pink remains. Drain fat if there is more than 1 tablespoon or so. While beef is browning, prepare vegetables.
- Add beef broth and scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Add remaining ingredients.
- Set instant pot to high pressure for 15 minutes. Once the instant pot has cooked for 15 minutes, allow it to naturally release for 10 minutes. Release remaining pressure.
- Serve with parmesan cheese & parsley if desired.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course, Soup
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I’ve been looking for this exact kind of meal for pregnancy. The broth was so good to sip on and had just the right combination of nutrients for me to feel great. Even our picky toddler loved it!
So happy to hear that, Marissa! I am glad everyone enjoyed it.
Famil6 loved it
I was looking for a high fiber meal for my family of four, including two picky eaters. This soup is an absolute winner. My one child is obsessed with the beef and spinach, while the other even pickier kiddo loves the veggies and avoids everything else. I’m actually leaving this comment after making it a second time, at the request of my kids. Winner winner!
Wow I’m so happy it was a hit with your family, Marie!
Can you substitute beef chuck cubes instead of ground beef? How long would you cook for?
I think it would work but I haven’t tried this with beef cubes so I can’t specify the cooking time. Let us know how it goes!
This is so yummy! The only change I made was switching the meat to ground turkey and the broth to low sodium chicken broth. So good, and easy!
I’m so glad you loved this Meredith!
My daughter was over for supper and she said “this is frigging delicious!” So easy to make and a keeper for this household. Thanks Holly for another great recipe! (She took the leftovers home for her boyfriend.)
That is great Dawn! So glad she loved it.
Would this be a suitable recipe for a slow cooker?
While I havne’t tried it Lori, I’d think it would work. I’d suggest adding the ingredients to the slow cooker and cooking it on low for 4-5 hours. Let us know how it works out if you try it!
Great flavor, healthy, and easy to make. A true winner in my book.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Hi Holly, Only change I made was to add one 14 oz can of fire roasted tomatoes, as I love the depth of flavor they add to soup. The other 14 oz can was regular diced tomatoes. My family really enjoyed this recipe. I really love your recipes, and all I’ve made have been successes!! I am a new instant pot user. Thanks!!!
I bet the fire-roasted tomatoes were amazing in this Beverly!
I always explore new dishes and i tried this dish with beck and bulow buffalo meat. the taste is yummy.
So glad you enjoyed it!