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Instant Pot Lentil Soup is a rich, healthy, and delicious medley of brown lentils, carrots, celery, spices, and bacon. This pressure cooker lentil soup is hearty without being heavy. A very popular Instant Pot soup recipe. Instant Pot recipes by simplyhappyfoodie.com #instantpotlentilsoup #pressurecookerlentilsoup

Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Instant Pot Lentil Soup is a rich, healthy, and delicious medley of brown lentils, carrots, celery, spices, and bacon. This pressure cooker lentil soup is hearty without being heavy.

Course Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword pressure cooker lentil soup recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 49 minutes
Servings 6 - 8
Calories 292 kcal
Author Sandy Clifton

Ingredients

  • ½ lb Thick Sliced Smoky Bacon (about 6 slices cut in ½” pieces)
  • 1 large Onion, diced
  • 4 Carrots, diced
  • 3 Stalks of Celery, diced
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 5 cloves Garlic, pressed or finely minced
  • 1 28 oz can Crushed Tomatoes in Puree
  • ¼ tsp Oregano, dried
  • ¾ tsp Coriander Powder
  • ¾ tsp Cumin
  • 1 tsp Sweet Paprika
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tsp Kosher Salt
  • ½ tsp Pepper
  • 1 4 inch sprig Fresh Rosemary
  • 3 sprigs Fresh Thyme, or ½ tsp dried
  • 1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 T Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 5 cups Chicken Broth, low sodium
  • 1 ½ cups Brown Lentils, picked over and rinsed

Instructions

  1. Before you cook, have all of your ingredients prepared; veggies chopped, cans opened, spices measured, etc. This will make the process a lot easier for you!

  2. Turn on the pot's Sauté function and add the bacon. Cook bacon until done, but not crisp. Remove from pot and set aside on a paper towel. Discard all but 2 Tbsp of the fat.

  3. Add onions, carrots, celery, and bay leaf. Cook until vegetables are just getting tender, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze (get those brown bits off the bottom).

  4. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.

  5. Add tomatoes, oregano, coriander, cumin, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, vinegar, lemon juice, and broth. Stir well to combine.

  6. Add rinsed lentils. Stir.

  7. Place the lid on the pot and set the Steam Release Knob to Sealing.

  8. Cancel the Sauté function.

  9. Press the Pressure Cook (or Manual) button, or dial on Ultra. Set time to 4 minutes using the + or - button, or dial.

  10. When cook cycle ends, let pot naturally release pressure for 13 minutes. Then manually release the remaining pressure by turning the knob to Venting (or push the button on the Ultra).

  11. When the pin in the lid drops, it is safe to open the lid. Open and carefully stir the soup. Taste and adjust salt, if needed.

  12. Add the bacon back in and stir.

  13. Serve as is, or garnish with sour cream, cilantro, or whatever you like!