This vegan red lentil soup is made with Indian style spices, pumpkin, and healthy kale! Not only is it beautiful, but it’s also delicious too, and the perfect blend of spices makes it completely addictive!

Why you will love this vegan red lentil soup…

It’s quick and easy to make!

to make! The soup is naturally vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free so nearly everyone can enjoy it!

and so nearly everyone can enjoy it! Indian style spices season the soup perfectly and the flavors blend to perfection!

season the soup perfectly and the It’s healthy! Each bowl is packed with over 50% for your RDA of vitamins A and C plus it’s full of plant protein.

Each bowl is packed with over 50% for your RDA of vitamins A and C plus it’s full of plant protein. This soup works great for meal prep lunches or can be frozen to heat up later.

or to heat up later. It may even taste even better the next day!

I’m a fan of soup in general, but this one is defiantly on the top of this list. It’s so full of nutrients, you can almost feel them soaking in as you eat it, yet it’s so delicious, it’s hard to believe that it’s healthy too!

What is red lentil?

Red lentils are a legume, they are smaller and thinner than green lentils and cook faster. They are usually more of an orange color than red, although the colors can vary. Red lentils are commonly used in Indian cooking to make soups and dahl. If you want to learn more about lentils, check out this post from Fix on everything you need to know about lentils.

Where can I buy red lentils?

Red lentils are actually very easy to find once you start looking for them. I’ve seen red lentils in most major grocery stores by the dried beans. You can always find them in your local health food store in the bulk section and Trader Joe’s and Aldi usually have them as well. If you are lucky enough to have a local Indian market, they will carry them for sure.

What can I use instead of red lentils?

If you don’t have red lentils, you can substitute yellow lentils or yellow split peas, but I would not recommend green lentils. This soup is best with red or yellow lentils, they are smaller and more tender than the green lentils so they cook faster and have a more delicate flavor. If you only have green lentils, make my Vegan Lentil Soup with Lemon and Kale!

Do I have to use pumpkin in this red lentil soup?

No, you don’t have to use pumpkin if you don’t like it. You can simply use a cup of water instead, however, the pumpkin puree gives it a rich and creamy texture and a slightly sweet taste. You could also swap out unsweetened applesauce for a similar effect if you don’t like the pumpkin flavor.

What spices should I use to flavor this red lentil soup?

My absolute favorite spice to use in this soup is Penzey’s Balti seasoning. It has the perfect blend of flavors that make this soup amazing! If your not lucky enough to have a Penzey’s store where you live, you can order from them directly or buy it on Amazon. (I have no affiliation with Penzey’s, I just love this spice mix)! If you don’t want to order something special, you can use any basic curry powder, cumin, and ginger to replace the Balti for a similar flavor.

How do I make red lentil soup?

Start by sautéing an onion in some olive oil over low heat until they’re translucent and then add a diced red pepper. Sauté the onion and pepper for a few more minutes before turning up the heat to medium-high and add the broth, pumpkin, and spices. Wash your red lentils in a wire mesh strainer until the water runs clean and add them to the soup once it starts to boil. Simmer your soup for 10 minutes to allow the lentils to cook most of the way. While the soup is simmering, wash your kale, break it up in small pieces removing the large tough stems, and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Then massage the kale with your hands until it becomes dark green and shiny. Add your massaged kale to the soup after the lentils have cooked for 10 minutes and then let the soup simmer for an additional 5 minutes with the kale in it. Turn off the soup and serve hot.

Tips for making perfect red lentil soup:

If you cook the lentils for more than 15 minutes, they start to thicken the soup more and get very soft. (It’s not a bad thing, you will just have more of a lentil dahl consistency)

If you want to continue simmering it until it’s thick, it can be served over rice as a hearty meal.

Don’t skip the step of massaging the kale! It is important for taste and texture.

You can swap out the kale for spinach if you want but put in at the end of cooking instead of 5 minutes before the end.

If you like lentils, you have to give my Vegan Lentil Soup with Kale and Lemon a try!

This soup is perfect for Thanksgiving! Make sure to check out my collection of 65 Gluten-Free Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes!

Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below this post or on the Pinterest pin! I would love to hear from you!