Charred Cabbage and Lentil Soup Recipe (2024)

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kathy F

Because I used salted chicken broth, I cut the soy sauce in half. The recipe was still quite flavorful. I liked the earthy flavor of the charred cabbage. I used Gruyère cheese as a topping because it was what I had. It complemented the flavors nicely. I added a little cooked Italian sausage at the bottom of each bowl too. (Actually, the recipe would have been fine on its own.) I layered the two leftover servings in bowls and saved some of the crispy cabbage to top at serving time.

Miti

I loved this! I am a first time reviewer, but long time follower of NYTCooking and felt the urge to comment.As others have noted I thought I could add a bit more flavour by sautéing the onion, garlic, carrots, etc., which I believe it did. After I did this and added the lentils, I added about half a cup of white wine and let that reduce before adding in the stock. I also found adding about a tablespoon of Miso amped up the umami flavour to the max!

Golem

I haven't made this yet but it would seem that the onion and carrots should be sautéed first or roasted with the cabbage to get more char (Maillard effect).

MRBR

Charred cabbage! First time roasting cabbage like this and it will not be the last. It really makes the soup and it's delicious on its own. I am looking at cabbage in a whole new way. The soup is very good. I took some liberties with ingredient proportions but a recipe like this allows for variation as Ali Slagle points out. Delicious!

ttbert

First time reviewer and wanted to write one since this is a new recipe and it was just wonderful. My husband and I thought it was one of the best NYT recipes we have ever made (or any recipe) especially since it was fairly easy and ingredients that last a long time in fridge or pantry staples. Hint of French onion soup but with lots more depth and flavors. It was spicy but not too much. Next time I’ll do less pepper kids and add more to my bowl. Agree sausage would be good but not necessary.

Thia

Boy is this delicious. Used puy lentils because I had a cup. Sautéed aromatics first. Threw some caraway seeds on the cabbage while roasting and might add apple next time. Otherwise, as written. Why haven’t I been roasting cabbage during my one wild and precious life??

Jodyp

Loved this! I had red lentils on hand, so used those. I caramelized the onions with the thyme which gave it great flavor.

Beth

Delicious! I agree with the others who suggest chopping the cabbage after charring to make it spoon size and those who suggest sautéing the onions and carrots before adding water or stock. I added some of the cabbage to the soup while it simmered to deepen the flavor and it made a very flavorful broth. I’m looking forward to the leftovers!

Judy R

Am I the only one who found this to be very spicy? I would definitely reduce the amount of red pepper flakes the next time around. Otherwise, it is a delicious soup.

Bella

I think you're wanting to roast them like steaks or the cabbage will burn and/or dry out.

JM

If one doesn't have Parmesan on hand, would a dollop of white miso provide the desired umami?

Tracy

I used a red cabbage from my garden, it turned out delicious!

Linda M

Lentil soup recipe is nearly the same as I've made for many decades but really look forward to adding an new dimension with the charred cabbage. Cabbage is an underused and under appreciated veggie and always looking for ideas.

marianna

Can I use red cabbage?

Eric

I believe so. When we did it we pulled the cabbage apart. More surface area for olive oil and charring.

Esperanza

Right now a pot of this soup is simmering on the stove. After removing the charred cabbage from the oven, I used that pan to roast the carrots, chopped onions and garlic before adding them along with the cabbage to the lentils and broth seasoned with oregano, bay leaf and a pinch of rosemary. Great robust results!

Sheila C.

We really enjoyed this soup. Delicious earthy, umami flavors. I cooked it as written and this will definitely go into our regular rotation.

Mare

Love this elevated lentil soup with home-grown cabbage. I used all the herbs (bay, thyme sprig, rosemary sprig) and also let some stewed tomatoes fall apart in the soup. No cheese to make it vegan and a drizzle of basil oil took it over the top! Charred more cabbage for dinner #2.

Meredyth

What a delicious soup! I don't usually like cabbage or lentils, but this was delicious. I will make it again using some of the other reviewers' suggestions and double the recipe so I can freeze some. Making fresh cabbage for left-overs was a breeze.

Tai

The Parmesan rind ties all the ingredients together. Would be a pity not to use it. Delicious recipe, made it over and over this winter.

Jennifer R

MMM! I air-fried thick cabbage slices until they were crisp, about 14 minutes at 400 degrees and turned them halfway. A few leaves fell off and I coudn't resist sampling them. Sooo good! I was out of thyme so I used oregano, and it's wonderful. The cabbage really turns a budget dinner into a gourmet meal!

Marianne

This is a pretty ho-hum lentil soup and ho-hum roasted cabbage. I like lentil soup and love roasted cabbage, but in this case both are kind of plain and the sum doesn't make them any better. I added tomato paste to the lentils because I wanted to use some up, as well as celery because all soup of this type needs celery. Used bay leaf as herb. Was good, but not better than the sum of the parts. I sautéed onion etc. first, as per the usual method of making a soup like this.

smilespreder

This was a great Sunday treat. Cooked as presented no modifications. Will cook again.

karen

This is an excellent soup, so flavorful and so simple. I used chicken broth rather than water. I was tempted to sauté the vegetables first as others suggested, but I trusted the author. It is not necessary to take that extra time. Keep it simple and enjoy. I will be making this soup again and again.

We loved this reipe!

I sautéed the onion and added a bit more garlic and added a can of fire roasted tomatoes. It was hearty and delicious !

H

Great recipe! It was delicious and easy. Lentils aren't on my list of usual favorites I just wanted to try something new, glad I did!I did sauté the onions and carrots just out of habit, but otherwise followed the recipe.

MDufort

I wonder if the cabbage could be replaced with either swiss chard or kale that could be oven roasted? Any thoughts?

sarahsw

As other people suggested, I sauteed the onion and carrot before adding the broth.The cabbage took a bit longer than suggested.This was absolutely delicious! Definitely will make again

Sarah K

Like others, I had some issue building flavor. I ended up adding: mushrooms, 1/2 TBS miso paste, and a squeeze of lemon. I also sautéed the vegetables as others suggested. If you do not have a parmesan rind, I would say that making this with just water would be tough. Shrug. I don't know why this didn't work very well for me.

Linda

I made it with charred brussels sprouts.

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Charred Cabbage and Lentil Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why does my lentil soup taste bland? ›

Why does my lentil soup taste bland? Lentils have a relatively mild taste and take well to seasonings. To avoid a bland lentil soup, use a flavorful broth—whether that's homemade or store-bought chicken or vegetable broth. The other key is building flavor.

What happens if you overcook lentils? ›

Mushy, overcooked lentils are far from tasty. Cooking them at a rapid simmer can lead to them splitting their skins from the pressure and thus lead to mushy results. Follow this tip: Trust that a gentle simmer will cook the lentils perfectly.

How to make canned lentil soup better? ›

A pinch of seasoning can make all the difference to freshen up the flavors in a ho-hum soup. Most canned soups have plenty of sodium, so skip the salt and stick with spices like cumin or curry powder or try dried herbs like basil or rosemary.

How much protein is in progresso lentil soup? ›

Soup, PROGRESSO HEALTHY CLASSICS LENTIL, canned, ready-to-serve, 1 cup
Protein (g)7.79
Energy (kcal)125.84
Fiber, total dietary (g)5.57
Calcium, Ca (mg)41.14
Iron, Fe (mg)2.66
24 more rows

Why does my stomach hurt after eating lentil soup? ›

Another reason that lentils are known for causing gas and bloating is because they are high in what's called raffinose. Raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFO) are known to cause stomach discomfort and bloating because the human body lacks the enzyme required to break them down within the digestive tract.

Why do I feel nauseous after lentil soup? ›

Lentils are frequently cooked with strong spices, which can cause indigestion in some people. Lentils are a good source of potassium, however, too many lentils in the diet can cause hyperkalemia (symptoms may include vomiting, fatigue, irregular heartbeat and difficulty breathing) in people with poor kidney function.

Why should you not season lentils until the end of cooking? ›

Be sure to season with salt after cooking – if salt is added before, the lentils will become tough. Canned lentils are also another great time-saving option – just be sure to rinse them under fresh water for about one minute in order to reduce the sodium content.

How do you know when lentils are fully cooked? ›

The best way to tell if lentils are cooked is to try to mash one with a fork. If it's easy to mash it, it's fully cooked. If it doesn't give or just breakfast, you may need to simmer if for a few extra minutes. Lentils are an economical and speedy way to add iron and heart-healthy vegan protein to your diet.

What happens if you forget to rinse lentils? ›

While it seems like an unnecessary step, don't skip rinsing your lentils and sifting through them before cooking to remove any stones or debris. It is rare to find stones, but it does happen.

How do you fix bland lentil soup? ›

Taste and season with more salt, pepper and/or lemon juice until the flavors really sing. For spicier soup, add another pinch or two of red pepper flakes. Serve while hot.

What color lentils are best for soup? ›

I recommend using green or French green lentils because they hold their shape in the soup, adding satisfying texture. Brown lentils are also a fine option.

What if I put too much water in my lentil soup? ›

You can add some cornflour mixed in little water and let it boil with your soup till get nice thick consistency. And if you are a health conscious fellow then go for cooked oats. As I do, cook some oats along with lentils and then puree it to make soup. This will not only thicken your soup but add some more health too.

What to eat with lentil soup for complete protein? ›

Alternatively, a full complement of amino acids can be achieved by pairing lentils with whole grains such as rice or wheat. Lentils are also a great source of fiber, vitamin B1 and folic acid, and are naturally gluten-free.

What is the best canned soup? ›

Pacific Foods Organic Creamy Tomato Soup

It might even be the best soup we've ever gotten at the grocery store. It's about “as decadent as plain tomato soup can get” thanks to the organic milk from dairies local to Oregon (according to Pacific Foods). The tomatoes are sweet.

Is lentil soup protein or carb? ›

Calories And Nutrition Facts For Lentil Soup

One and 1/3 cup of this hearty lentil soup provides 320 calories, 52 grams of carbohydrates, 10 grams of fiber, 18 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol and 650 milligrams of sodium.

How to fix bland lentil soup? ›

Taste and season with more salt, pepper and/or lemon juice until the flavors really sing. For spicier soup, add another pinch or two of red pepper flakes. Serve while hot.

How do you fix bland lentils? ›

Add a tablespoon of paprika and a small very very finely diced onion to the lentils after you have cooked them and stir in well. Leave on heat for a few minutes for flavours to blend. If you can't eat onion use a level teaspoon of Asa Foetida powder instead. Be sure and add salt to the dish.

How do I fix bland tasting soup? ›

Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples

Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients.

How to fix flavorless soup? ›

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl. Our Lemony Chicken Soup will make your mouth water.

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