Name: Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: ½ tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion (finely diced); ⅓ cup celery (finely diced); ½ cup carrots (peeled finely diced); 1 cup dried brown or green lentils (rinsed); 2 teaspoons minced garlic; 4 cups vegetable broth (low sodium); 15 ounces crushed tomatoes (low sodium); 15 ounces diced tomatoes (no salt added); 1 teaspoon oregano; 1 teaspoon coriander; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1 teaspoon kosher salt (see note); 2 bay leaves; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or balsamic vinegar

Keys to the Best Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Lentils–It is critical you use the right lentils for lentil soup. Brown or green lentils work well for this soup. I do not advise red lentils as they will turn to mush during pressure cooking. It is also important to rinse and sort the lentils well, as they are often dirty and you may find a piece of stone in the dried lentils.

Italian Battuto–This Italian combination of celery, onions, carrots, and garlic is the Italian version of France’s mirepoix. It is the base for this soup and is key to adding flavor. In most of my recipes, I suggest leaving an ingredient, like celery or onions, out if you family does not care for them. While you certainly can choose to do so, I do find this lentil soup shines best when all four ingredients are used.

Spices–The mixture of dried spices are key for the best flavor. Oregano, ground coriander, cumin, and bay leaves all work together to give this lentil soup depth and earthiness. It is critical that your spices are not too old. After 2 to 3 years of sitting in your pantry, dried spices can lose their potency and flavor.

Acid–A key to making the flavors pop in this soup is to finish it with acid. Fresh lemon juice is best, but balsamic vinegar can be use if you don’t have fresh lemons. Do not use jarred lemon juice, as it will not have the same flavor as fresh lemon juice.

How to Make Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Step One: Prepare Soup

Rinse lentils well. Be sure to quickly sort them to ensure there are no rocks or stones.

Turn Instant Pot to Saute and let heat up until it reads Hot. Add in olive oil, carrots, onions, and celery. Saute for 2-3 minutes.

Add in lentils and garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes longer. Turn Instant Pot off.

Add in stock and scrape up any browned bits on bottom of inner pot. This helps to prevent a burn warning.

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, spices and salt.

Step Two: Pressure Cook Soup

Place lid on pressure cooker and be sure vent knob is pointed to sealed.

Cook on HIGH pressure for 15 minutes.

Step Three: Finish and Serve

Once cook time has elapsed, let pressure release naturally.

Open Instant Pot, remove bay leaves and stir in the lemon juice or balsamic vinegar.

Notes on Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Soup

Feel free to use all crushed tomatoes or all diced tomatoes. I like to use a mixture of the two for a variety of texture, but it is fine to use a total of 30 ounces of one or the other.

Lentil Soup will store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days in a sealed container. Lentil soup will freeze for up to 3 months.

Vegetable stock or chicken stock can be used for Instant Pot Lentil Soup, just be be sure to use vegetable stock to keep this soup Vegan Friendly.

Use low sodium canned tomatoes and stock to control the sodium content of this soup. You can adjust seasonings to add more salt if needed. I just suggest to wait until after the lemon juice/balsamic vinegar have been added as that acid helps the flavors pop, just as salt does.

If you have an issue with your Instant Pot sealing, be sure to trouble shoot with these reasons why your Instant Pot may not seal.

Instant Pot Soup Recipes

Instant Pot Lentil Soup