Hearty Instant Pot lentil soup with Potatoes is a cozy and satisfying one-pot meal that's easy to make with pantry staples. Featuring dried brown or green lentils, creamy potatoes, and tender fresh spinach, this vegan soup practically cooks itself in your pressure cooker. And since lentils don't need soaking, prep is quick and effortless.
If you're looking for a version without potatoes or greens, check out my Mediterranean lentil soup for a different twist on this classic.
This recipe is also flexible. Don't have spinach? Leave it out. Want a little brightness? A squeeze of lemon at the end takes it over the top.
If you don't have an Instant Pot, you can make it on the stove instead. I've included those instructions, too.
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This is the best lentil soup recipe we've ever tried! Will be making many times again for sure. Thanks for the great recipe.
- Allison
Ingredients
Instant Pot lentil soup is made with readily available ingredients you may already have on hand in your kitchen. Here's what you'll need:
- Olive oil (or use water for an oil-free version)
- Onion
- Garlic
- Carrots
- Celery
- Bay leaf
- Dried thyme
- Potatoes (I recommend yellow or gold, but white or red can also be used)
- Brown or green dried lentils (If you are looking for a recipe that uses red lentils, try my red lentil potato soup or Instant Pot red lentil vegan chili.)
- Vegetable broth (or water)
- Fresh spinach (or use your favorite dark leafy greens such as Swiss chard or kale)
- Salt and pepper
Please see the recipe card for the complete ingredients, measurements, and instructions.
How to make lentil soup in an Instant Pot
- Use the saute function to cook the onion, garlic, carrots and celery until lightly softened.
- Next add the bay leaf, thyme, potatoes, lentils, and vegetable broth or water. Give everything a quick stir.
- Then close the lid and set the timer for 7 minutes. Keep in mind that it will take time for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure before the 7 minutes start. After the 7 minutes is up, it will take some time for the pressure to release naturally.
- After it does, remove the lid, and stir in the spinach. Add some salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.
How to make lentil soup on the stove
If you don't have an electric pressure cooker, you can make this recipe on the stove in a Dutch oven or large pot. Add an extra cup of liquid and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes until the lentils and potatoes are soft. Then stir in the spinach.
Serving suggestions
Instant Pot lentil soup is a complete meal on its own. Or you can serve it with a salad or side.
It pairs well with fruity dishes like Mexican beet salad, apple and pomegranate wild rice salad, and strawberry kale salad.
Or enjoy it with vegan sun-dried tomato spread and some warm crusty bread.
It's hearty, cozy, and comforting.
Made this recipe or have a question? Please leave a comment below. 💙 For even more fresh vegan recipes, join my email list. It's less like a newsletter and more like emails between friends.
Love and Veggies,
Amy
📋 Recipe
Hearty Instant Pot Lentil Soup with Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, for sauteing (or use a splash of water if avoiding oil)
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 5 cups vegetable broth, or water
- 2 cups dried lentils, brown or green, rinsed (Do not use red lentils in this recipe.)
- 1½ cups gold potatoes, diced (or substitute white or red potatoes)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- salt and pepper, to taste
- fresh lemon juice, (optional) for serving
Instructions
- Select the Saute function and add the olive oil to the Instant Pot.1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Saute the onions until they are softened and slightly translucent.1 cup diced onion
- Add the garlic and saute for about 30 seconds more.2 cloves garlic
- Next add the carrots and celery and saute for a few minutes until the vegetables are softened.1 cup diced carrots, 1 cup diced celery
- Add the vegetable broth (or water), lentils, potatoes, bay leaf, and thyme and stir to combine.1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1½ cups gold potatoes, 2 cups dried lentils, 5 cups vegetable broth
- Close the lid and set the timer for 7 minutes on Manual (Pressure Cook on High).
- Allow the pressure to release naturally.
- After the pressure has released, remove the lid and stir in the spinach.1 cup fresh spinach
- Add salt and pepper, to taste. If desired, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice when serving.salt and pepper
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Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation.
Tammy Beatse says
Wanted an easy and healthy recipe for lentil soup, this does the trick!
Amy Katz says
That's wonderful to hear, Tammy!
Wanda says
Good recipe; needed a LOT more liquid. I also added a can of diced tomatoes. MPR after about 15 minutes. Could have cooked less time.
marti says
thanks for this recipe, it sounds delicious and i'd like to make it. however, not having an instant pot, i was wondering if you have directions for stovetop preparation? i'd appreciate it greatly.
Amy Katz says
Hi Marti, Here are the stove top instructions: https://www.veggiessavetheday.com/instant-pot-lentil-soup/#stove-top-instructions Enjoy the soup!
Mandy says
I made this today in my MEALTHY pot and it was fantastic it’s definitely a keeper I’m going to make it again thank you so much. just what I wanted for the record I omit oil and I did add a fresh lemon juice squeeze at the end.
Amy Katz says
I'm so happy to here it, Mandy! Love the lemon.
Sabrina says
Melts in your mouth!!! I served it over brown basmati rice and added a dab of butter on top. My teenaged sons loved it too. This will be a family favorite!
Amy Katz says
I'm so glad everyone enjoyed it, Sabrina!
Val says
Is it still the same directions if made with red lentils?
Amy Katz says
Hi Val, red lentils won't work with this recipe because they will get really soft and disintegrate. But here is a red lentil soup recipe that I think you'll enjoy: https://www.veggiessavetheday.com/lentil-potato-soup/
Allison says
This is the best lentil soup recipe we've ever tried! Will be making many times again for sure. Thanks for the great recipe 🙂
Amy says
Thank you so much, Allison!
Ellen says
Will be trying this tonight. Reading the comments I think I will try to spice it up some. I don't like bland foods, and need some boldness to soups. My wife and I are trying more vegan dishes. We grew up with meat, so we are just trying to reduce red meat in our diets. Filling up my wife is difficult. She is always hungry. Meat seems the only thing that satisfys her and makes her fill full. So this lentil souo looks like something that may be satisfying and filling.
Amy Katz says
I hope you and your wife enjoy the soup, Ellen! You can definitely add more spices and seasonings to suit your tastes.
Terri Swanson says
Loved this recipe