Bacon Lentil Soup

Where should I start with this Bacon Lentil Soup, y’all! My boyfriend notoriously hates lentils. Every time I mention making them he vetoes it. Until I made him this. I think I have converted him to be a lentil lover. He now requests them every cold cold day. I don’t even have to convince him anymore. When he was heating up his leftover in the office, his boss was called in by the smell to taste it. I make this for my family when they are feeling sick. I make this for myself when I am craving a healthy and hearty meal. What can I say? This is a great multi purpose soup.

It is filled with great ingredients and perfect to make as a fridge clean out. So many ingredients can be substituted and the rest are pantry staples.

What ingredients are in this Bacon Lentil Soup?

• lentils-your choice of color
• bacon cut into small ribbons. You can also substitute or add ground italian sausage, chorizo rounds, or cut up hot dogs, or ham hock). You can also leave out the bacon completely to make this vegetarian. Be sure to add a teaspoon of olive oil when starting if you do not use a meat.
• yellow bell pepper diced-Can be substituted for a red, green, or orange bell pepper.
• onion-White or yellow
• carrots
• swiss chard-Can substitute with any leafy green that you have on hand. Spinach, kale,
• garlic
• vegetable broth- can substitute with chicken broth.
• can of diced tomatoes
• ground cumin
• curry powder- secret ingredient. I know it sounds weird to add curry to lentils but trust me when I say this add so much flavor.
• dried thyme

How to make Bacon Lentil Soup?

1. Prepare raw vegetables. Dice vegetable ( onion, bell pepper, carrots), roughly chop swiss chard, and mince garlic cloves.
2. Start by adding the bacon pieces to a large pot and cook for 5-7 minutes. No need to add olive oil because the bacon will release fat.
3. Add diced vegetables (onion, bell pepper, and carrots) to the pot and cook down until onion is translucent about 8-10 minutes.
4. Add minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Once you smell the garlic, add a can of diced tomatoes, all the spices, and lentils.
6. Add the vegetable broth, bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a light simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes.
7. Add swiss chard and simmer for another 15 minutes.

How to serve bacon lentil soup?

Serve the bacon lentil soup in medium sized bowls. I love a shallow bowl to see more of the colors.

Top with more wilted swiss chard and some more crack black pepper.

My boyfriend, the cheese lover, likes to top it with crumbled feta. I tried it and I can admit. It was great!

Also works well to be served on top of a bed of rice to stretch it even further.

Can also be served with a side salad or a slice of gluten free toasty bread.

How to store the soup

Once completely cooled, store in the refrigerator. Just like most food that has meat, store in an airtight container and use within 4 days. This soup is great for freezing as well.

More La Disco Nap soup recipes

Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup

Butternut Squash Soup

Did you make this recipe?

If you make it, please leave a comment below with your thoughts. Don’t forget to share your version with a picture on Instagram and tag @ladisconap #ladisconap It means the world to me.

Bacon Lentil Soup

La Disco Nap

This hearty lentil soup has bacon, carrots, bell pepper, onions, tomatoes, and swiss chard for a warm and filling cold weather soup

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course dinner, lunch, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine Spanish

Servings 6 people

Equipment

• 1 cutting board
• 1 large pot

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup lentils your choice of color
• ¼ pound bacon cut into small ribbons
• 1 yellow bell pepper diced
• 1 white or yellow onion diced
• ¼ cup carrots (~2 carrots) diced
• 2 cups swiss chard or other leafy green roughly chopped
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 32 oz vegetable broth
• 1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes

Spices

• 2 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp curry powder
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp cayenne optional

Instructions

 

• Prepare raw vegetables. Dice vegetable ( onion, bell pepper, carrots), roughly chop swiss chard, and mince garlic cloves.
• Start by adding the bacon pieces to a large pot and cook for 5-7 minutes. No need to add olive oil because the bacon will release fat.
• Add diced vegetables (onion, bell pepper, and carrots) to the pot and cook down until onion is translucent about 8-10 minutes.
• Add minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Once you smell the garlic, add a can of diced tomatoes, all the spices, and lentils.
• Add the vegetable broth, bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a light simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes.
• Add swiss chard and simmer for another 15 minutes.
• y ya esta! Enjoy!

Keyword cold weather, comfort, cozy, fall, hearty, home made, lentejas, lentils, soup