Lemony Lentil Soup – Great for Weight Loss and Gut Health

This lemony lentil soup is hearty and full of refreshing flavors from the addition of freshly squeezed lemons along with some dill and rosemary that make this soup delicious.

The addition of feta cheese adds a perfect creamy texture that pulls this lemony lentil soup recipe together. I like to add extra goat’s feta to my bowl when serving!

Lemony Lentil Soup Ingredients

1 large onion diced
6 cloves garlic finely dices
2 cups dried lentils soaked for 8 hours or overnight
3 medium carrots diced
2 celery sticks diced
juice of 2 lemons
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 cup goats feta cheese
1 tbsp oregano 
1 tbsp rosemary
3 bay leaves
2 tbsp dried dill
1 tbsp coconut oil
8 cups vegetable stock
Himalayan salt and cracked pepper to taste

How to make lentil soup

Before making this lemony lentil soup, place the 2 cups of dried lentils in a bowl and cover with water and let them soak for 8-12 hours, then rinse and strain when ready to make the soup.

Soaking the lentils in water before cooking makes them much easier to digest and reduces cooking time. If you skip this step, you may need to add a cup of water at the end.

In a large pot, measure out 8 cups of water mixed with vegetable stock. Add the soaked lentils and bring to a boil, then simmer on low until cooked. It takes approximately 30 minutes for the lentils to cook.

Melt 1 tbsp of coconut oil in a pan, then add diced garlic, onion, bay leaves, salt, and cracked pepper. Simmer for a couple of minutes before adding the carrots and celery. Add in the rosemary, dill, oregano, and let everything cook until softened and lightly browned (approx 10-15 mins).

Combine the sauteed vegetables with the lentils and stock. Add the juice of 2 lemons, the tbsp of grated lemon zest, and 1 cup of crumbled feta cheese to the main soup pot. Season with Himalayan salt and cracked pepper to taste, then let everything simmer together for an additional 10 mins or until vegetables are soft. 

I enjoy this soup with a slice of toasted gluten-free bread that is locally baked, fermented, and made with quinoa and brown rice flour topped with melted butter!

While I don’t eat or recommend eating refined carbohydrates often, we all enjoy those foods from time to time. I encourage people to source bread that is made the traditional way with whole grains that are fermented or sprouted. Sprouted and fermented bread much easier to digest and has a lower glycemic index than commercial white bread. 

Benefits of lentil soup

Another bonus is this lentil soup is good for weight loss and liver detox! Carrot, onion, celery, and garlic are terrific liver cleansing vegetables. These vegetables are low in calories and high in micronutrients.

Lemon promotes liver detoxification and alkalinity in the body.

Lentils are full of fiber for gut health, provide satiety, and the perfect food to prevent type 2 diabetes and lower blood sugar. The fiber in lentils slows down the release of glucose into the bloodstream for balanced blood sugar levels.

Fiber contains zero calories yet makes you feel satiated, which is why lentils are good for weight loss. If you want to maintain or lose weight, this lemony lentil soup is for you!

Legumes such as lentils are an excellent source of plant-based protein and the perfect budget-friendly food.

Lentils are also an excellent source of molybdenum which is essential for the detoxification of sulfites. If you find that you are sensitive to sulfites in the wine, you may need molybdenum found in lentils.