Turkey Lentil Soup Recipe

Introduction

This Turkey Lentil Soup is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for any time of year. Packed with ground turkey, vegetables, and protein-rich lentils, it’s both nutritious and satisfying. A touch of warming spices and fresh parsley make this soup a flavorful meal for your family or guests.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1.5 cups yellow onion, diced (about 1 onion)
• 1 cup celery, diced (2 stalks)
• 1 cup carrot, diced (1 large carrot)
• 2 tablespoons garlic, minced (4 cloves)
• 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ cup fresh parsley
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot or Dutch oven, warm a splash of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and break it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook until it is no longer pink on the outside but not fully cooked through, about 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add the diced onion, celery, and carrot to the pot along with cumin, ground ginger, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook until the onion is translucent and the vegetables begin to soften, about 8 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the minced garlic and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burning.
4. Step 4: Pour in the rinsed lentils, crushed tomatoes, and vegetable stock. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
5. Step 5: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with a lid, and simmer for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally and check lentils for tenderness starting at 15 minutes, as cooking times may vary.
6. Step 6: Once lentils are tender, remove from heat and stir in fresh parsley. Serve hot, topped with grated parmesan cheese.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer flavor, use chicken broth instead of vegetable stock.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick.
• Use fresh ginger instead of ground for a brighter taste.
• Substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean beef if preferred.
• To make it vegan, omit the parmesan and use a plant-based cheese or nutritional yeast instead.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove over medium heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water or broth if it thickens too much. You can also freeze the soup for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use canned lentils instead of dried lentils?

It’s best to use dried lentils for this recipe since they hold their shape and texture during cooking. If using canned lentils, add them near the end of cooking to avoid overcooking and becoming mushy.

Is this soup suitable for meal prepping?

Absolutely! Turkey Lentil Soup keeps well in the fridge and freezes nicely, making it an excellent option for meal prep. Portion it out into containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or dinners.

Turkey Lentil Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 83 reviews

• Author: Rafael
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Low Fat

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Description

This hearty Turkey Lentil Soup combines lean ground turkey with nutritious lentils and a flavorful mirepoix base of onion, celery, and carrots. Infused with warming spices like cumin and ground ginger, simmered in crushed tomatoes and vegetable stock, this soup offers a comforting, protein-rich meal perfect for any season. Topped with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan, it makes a wholesome and satisfying dish that’s both easy to prepare and packed with flavor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meats

• 1 lb ground turkey

Vegetables and Aromatics

• 1.5 cups yellow onion, diced (about 1 onion)
• 1 cup celery, diced (about 2 stalks)
• 1 cup carrot, diced (1 large carrot)
• 2 tablespoons garlic, minced (4 cloves)
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Legumes

• 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed

Liquids and Canned Goods

• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing, estimated)

Seasonings and Spices

• 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger

Dairy

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Brown the Turkey: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until warm. Add the ground turkey and break it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook for about 5 minutes until the turkey loses its pink color on the outside but is not fully cooked through.
2. Sauté the Mirepoix and Spices: Add diced onion, celery, and carrots to the pot along with cumin, ground ginger, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and the carrots and celery begin to soften, about 8 minutes.
3. Add the Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 5 minutes until fragrant and softened, but not browned.
4. Add Lentils and Liquids: Stir in the rinsed lentils, crushed tomatoes, and vegetable stock. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
5. Simmer the Soup: Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover with a lid. Let the soup simmer gently for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Start checking lentils for tenderness at around 15 minutes to avoid overcooking.
6. Finish and Serve: Once lentils are tender and the soup has thickened slightly, remove from heat. Garnish with fresh parsley and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving warm.

Notes

• Rinse lentils well to remove any debris or dust before adding to the soup.
• Adjust seasoning to taste at the end of cooking, especially salt and pepper.
• This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
• For a thicker soup, reduce some of the vegetable stock or simmer uncovered for additional time.
• Use vegetable stock for a vegetarian-friendly version but omit the turkey and add more lentils or vegetables.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: turkey lentil soup, healthy soup, lentil soup with turkey, easy dinner recipe, high protein soup, comforting soup