Alton Brown Lentil Soup Recipe

This Alton Brown Lentil Soup is a hearty and spiced recipe, which calls for earthy brown lentils and exotic grains of paradise. It’s a nutritious vegetarian meal, ready in about 45 minutes.

Alton Brown Lentil Soup Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• ½ cup finely chopped carrot
• ½ cup finely chopped celery
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 lb brown lentils, picked over and rinsed
• 1 cup peeled and chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned)
• 2 quarts (8 cups) vegetable broth
• ½ tsp ground coriander
• ½ tsp ground toasted cumin
• ½ tsp freshly ground grains of paradise (or black pepper)

How To Make Alton Brown Lentil Soup

1. Sweat the veggies: Place the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Once the oil glistens, add the onion, carrot, celery, and kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent and the vegetables have softened, about 6–7 minutes.
2. Combine ingredients: Add the rinsed lentils, chopped tomatoes, vegetable broth, coriander, cumin, and grains of paradise to the pot. Stir well to combine.
3. Simmer the soup: Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for 35–40 minutes. The lentils should be tender but not completely falling apart.
4. Thicken the texture: Uncover the pot. Using an immersion blender (stick blender), pulse 4 or 5 times throughout the pot. You don’t want to purée the whole soup; the goal is to blend just enough lentils to release their starch and thicken the broth while leaving plenty of whole lentils for texture. (Alternatively, blend 2 cups of soup in a standard blender and return to pot).
5. Finish and serve: Stir the soup to mix the puréed portion with the whole lentils. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or grains of paradise if needed. Serve hot.

Recipe Tips

• Grains of Paradise: This spice is Alton Brown’s signature addition. It is a West African spice related to ginger and cardamom but looks like peppercorns. It adds a woody, citrusy heat. If you can’t find it, substitute with freshly ground black pepper and a tiny zest of lemon.
• Toasting Cumin: Toasting the cumin seeds in a dry pan before grinding them (or heating ground cumin briefly) releases essential oils that make the flavor much more potent and less dusty.
• Lentil Prep: Always spread your dry lentils out on a white towel or plate to check for small stones or debris before rinsing.
• Vegetable Broth: Since this is a vegetarian recipe, a robust vegetable broth is key. If you eat meat, chicken broth works just as well and adds a different layer of savoriness.

What To Serve With Alton Brown Lentil Soup

This earthy soup pairs well with rustic breads and sharp flavors.

• Crusty Sourdough: Essential for dipping.
• Lemon Wedges: A squeeze of fresh lemon brightens the earthy lentils.
• Parmesan Cheese: A salty, nutty topping (if not vegan).
• Spinach: Stir in a handful of fresh spinach at the end for greens.

How To Store Alton Brown Lentil Soup

• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The soup will thicken significantly as it sits; you may need to add water when reheating.
• Freeze: This soup freezes perfectly. Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Warm on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the consistency.

Alton Brown Lentil Soup Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 310kcal
• Protein: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fat: 6g
• Saturates: 1g
• Sugar: 4g
• Salt: 1.2g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving (based on 6 servings).

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