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Spicy Lentil Soup

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

March 9, 2025

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4.93 from 14 votes

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Spiced lentil soup pinterest image.
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This Spicy Lentil Soup with chipotles is a warm & comforting hearty soup that’s perfect for chilly Fall days! Make this easy soup recipe on the stove or in your slow cooker.

Spicy lentil soup in white bowl with swirl of sour cream, limes and cilantro.

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This Spiced Lentil Soup is perfect to make ahead and then pack for lunches during the week.

It’s got a smoky kick from the chipotle pepper, a nice tang from a good squeeze of lime juice, and a creamy texture due to the fact that I blend it up a bit at the end.

The flavors are reminiscent of a great chili, but in my opinion, this chipotle lentil soup has a little something extra from the tanginess and creaminess. Plus, it’s totally vegetarian! I love to top my bowl with some fresh cilantro, avocado and sour cream…

Overhead shot of two bowl of spicy lentil soup.

Bonus?

Should you choose to go the slow cooker route, you can just pile all the yummy ingredients into your crockpot in the morning and you’ll come home to this beautiful, smoky chipotle lentil soup that’s just perfect for these chilly fall evenings that we’ve been having lately.

It’s warm and comforting and requires nothing from you after you come home from a long day at work… Meaning that all you have to do is pour the wine and decide which episode of Real Housewives you want to enjoy while slurping up this soup…

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients needed
  • How to make it
  • How to make ahead & store
  • Wine pairings
  • Full Recipe

Ingredients needed

  • Lentils – Red, brown or green will work.
  • Celery + Carrots
  • Onion + Garlic
  • Canned Tomatoes – I prefer to use petite diced tomatoes.
  • Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce – You’ll find these in the Mexican foods aisle in small cans.
  • Vegetable Broth – Or bone broth or chicken stock.
  • Cumin + Oregano
  • Salt + Pepper
  • Cilantro
  • Lime Juice
  • Toppings – Avocado, sour cream, cilantro, jalapenos, cheese
Ingredients for spicy lentil soup in crockpot.

How to make it

Stove top directions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery and carrots, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, cumin and oregano, and cook about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  • Add the lentils chipotles and adobo sauce, vegetable broth, and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to a rapid simmer, partially cover, and cook until lentils are tender, 30-35 minutes.
  • Transfer 3 cups of the soup to a blender and let cool for about 15 minutes. Puree until the mixture is almost smooth. Pour the mixture back into pot. Stir in the lime juice and cilantro.
  • Enjoy!

Slow cooker directions

  • Add the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, lentils, cumin, oregano and chipotle peppers to the slow cooker.
  • Stir in the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes and adobo sauce.
  • Cook on LOW until the lentils are tender, 8-10 hours. Or, on HIGH for 4-5 hours.
  • Transfer 3 cups of the soup to a blender and let cool for about 15 minutes. Puree until the mixture is almost smooth. Pour the mixture back into the slow cooker. Stir in the lime juice and cilantro.
  • Enjoy!

How to make ahead & store

To Store: Store in a tightly covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To Reheat: Gently reheat on the stove over medium-low heat until hot. You can also microwave the leftovers.
To Freeze: Store in a tightly sealed container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Wine pairings

  • Tempranillo, Zinfandel, and Malbec will stand up to the smoky heat in this lentil soup.

More slow cooker recipes

  • Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
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  • Slow Cooker Goulash
  • Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
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  • Slow Cooker Lamb Curry
  • Slow Cooker Kung Pao Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
Overhead shot of bowl of lentil soup topped with chopped chipotles and served with spoon.

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Did you try this spicy lentil soup recipe?

If you loved this chipotle lentil soup I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on  Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.

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Overhead shot of bowl of lentil soup topped with chopped chipotles and served with spoon.

Full Recipe

Spicy Lentil Soup

This Spicy Lentil Soup is a warm and comforting hearty soup that’s perfect for chilly Fall days! The chipotle peppers give it a bit of heat and a great smoky flavor.
4.93 from 14 votes
Print Pin
Serves 6 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 8 hours hrs
Resting Time: 15 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker (optional)
  • Large Pot (optional)

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil (if making on the stove)
  • 2 cups lentils (red, brown or green, rinsed)
  • 2 stalks celery (chopped)
  • 2 carrots (peeled and chopped)
  • 1/2 yellow onion (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
  • 1-2 chipotle peppers (seeded & minced, plus 3 teaspoons adobo sauce from the can)
  • 1 quart vegetable broth (or chicken stock or bone broth)
  • 3 1/2 cups water
  • 1 Tablespoon cumin
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 1/4 cup minced cilantro
  • 2 Tablespoons lime juice

For Topping

  • Avocado
  • Sour Cream
  • Cilantro

Instructions

Stove Top

  • Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat.
  • Add the onion, celery and carrots, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.Add the garlic, cumin and oregano, and cook about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  • Add the lentils, chipotles, adobo sauce, vegetable broth, water and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to a rapid simmer, partially cover, and cook until lentils are tender, 30-35 minutes.
  • For a smoother soup, transfer 3 cups of the soup to a blender and puree until the mixture is almost smooth. Pour the mixture back into pot.
  • Stir in the lime juice and cilantro. Enjoy!

Slow Cooker

  • Add the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, lentils, cumin, oregano and chipotle peppers and adobo sauce to the slow cooker.
  • Stir in the vegetable broth, water and diced tomatoes.
  • Cook on LOW until the lentils are tender, 8-10 hours. Or, on HIGH for 4-5 hours.
  • For a smoother soup, transfer 3 cups of the soup to a blender and puree until the mixture is almost smooth. Pour the mixture back into the slow cooker.
  • Stir in the lime juice and cilantro. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1552mg | Potassium: 800mg | Fiber: 21g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 4250IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 5.8mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

This post was originally published in 2017. It was updated in 2022 to add new photographs. The spiced lentil soup recipe remains the same. Enjoy!

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4.93 from 14 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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19 responses

  1. Lauren
    December 12, 2022

    Maybe I missed it but it calls for 3.5 cups water. When do I add when cooking stovetop?

    Reply
    1. Erin
      December 14, 2022

      Thanks for catching that Lauren – I just updated the recipe.

      Reply
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Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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