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French Onion Lentil Soup
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5 from 3 votes

French Onion Lentil Soup

French Onion Lentil Soup offers all there is to love about the classic - caramelized onions, a savory broth, and cheesy baguette slices - with the addition of hearty lentils. Warming, nourishing, and sure to become a favorite!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Soup/Stew
Cuisine: French
Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 6

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Start by melting butter and olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stock pot over medium heat. Add onions and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring every 5 minutes or so, until the onions begin to caramelize. Lower the heat if the onions brown too quickly (I usually do this after about 20 minutes). The caramelization process should take about 40 minutes total.
    Stir in garlic and tamari during the final 2 minutes.
  • Add lentils, broth, thyme, bay leaf, and a few grinds of black pepper. Increase heat to bring soup to a low boil. Reduce heat and gently simmer with the lid slightly ajar until the lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.
    Discard the bay leaf and sprigs of thyme, and stir in sherry vinegar. Taste soup and add more salt and pepper, if needed.
  • Heat the broiler to HIGH, and arrange ovenproof soup bowls (I linked the ones I use under "equipment") on a baking sheet. Ladle soup into bowls, and cover top with bread slices. Sprinkle each generously with Gruyère cheese.
    Place on an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat and broil for 2 to 4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. (Keep a close eye so they don't burn.) Remove from the oven and serve immediately while the soup is hot and bubbly.

Notes

  • To Store. Store leftover soup in the fridge for up to 4 days. For best results, store the soup without cheese or baguette topping, and prepare the topping fresh while reheating.
  • To Reheat. Warm the soup over the stovetop or in the microwave until steaming. Top with baguette slices and cheese, and pop under the broiler as instructed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 370kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 1009mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g