Lentil leek soup – say that ten times fast! Lentils, leeks, mushrooms, and kale are just pure magic when unified. In addition, we have fresh rosemary and shallots! Still not convinced? This vegan soup recipe can be made with 10 ingredients and just shy of 45 minutes.
This post was originally published in February 2017. New photos, writing, and recipe have been updated.
Helloooo soup season! Is it ever not soup season though?
Soups are a great way to meal prep because you can have leftovers for days. Unlike most leftovers, soups get better a day or two later because the flavors just mend together.
This lentil leek soup is vegan, gluten-free, yet oh so comforting. See why this soup is a must-try:
- Easy to make
- Cheap ingredients
- Healthy soup recipe
- Hearty lentils to keep you full
- Savory mushrooms to add flavor and nutrients
- Leeks – because they are a soup’s BFF
- Fresh herbs and shallots to really take your soup game to the next level!
Now that I have your attention this vegan soup recipe is a must! It’s super healthy and filling, but leaves room for a little bit of bread on the side 😉 Keep reading to see how it’s done.
Ingredients for mushroom lentil leek soup
- Green or brown lentils
- Leeks
- Mushrooms
- Shallot
- Onions
- Garlic
- Fresh herbs
- Salt and Pepper
- Plant-based milk
- Vegetable broth
What is a leek?
A leek is a vegetable that has a milder taste of an onion. Only using the white and light green part, it can be chopped up and used as a soup starter just as you would with onions.
How to cut a leek
- Chop off the dark green top and discard.
- Cut lower half into slices then chop so the pieces are the same size as chopped onions.
This video might be useful to see how to chop leeks!
How to make lentil leek soup
I like to think of soups as layers. It’s all about adding ingredients at the right time to achieve the perfect end result.
- Heat oil and saute onions and shallots
- Add garlic and leeks
- Stir in seasonings
- Add broth, lentils, and mushrooms
- Add milk and remove half of the soup. Blend in a blender until smooth
- Add blended soup back into the pot and stir in kale.
What to serve with lentil leek soup
Bread is always a good option or a simple light green salad would pair nicely.
But for real, warm crusty bread will make this one heck of a meal! If you’re feeling really fancy, make a batch of vegan rosemary biscuits. You will have no regrets.
Ways to customize lentil leek soup
- Add potatoes to hearty up this soup recipe
- Add some vegan bacon bits for a touch of umami
- Instead of kale, use swiss chard or spinach
- Add beans such as great northern beans or chickpeas
- Put in extra veggies such as carrots and celery
- Swap out green or brown lentils for red lentils!
Does this soup freeze well?
It sure does! All the ingredients in this soup are freezer-friendly. Just put leftovers in a freezer-safe bag or container and it’ll keep for up to 6 months.
If you tried this vegan lentil leek soup, let me know in the comments below and share a photo using #mindfulavocado. I’d love to hear from you! Want to see more recipes? Let’s get social! CONNECT WITH ME on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest to see what I’m currently cooking up!
If you like this soup recipe, you’ll LOVE:
Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup
Chickpea Orzo Soup
Vegan White Bean Chili
Vegan Potato Leek Soup
Vegan Corn Chowder
Vegan Southwestern Soup
Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Vegan Vegetable Soup
Vegan Tomato Soup
Lentil Leek Soup with Mushrooms and Kale
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion finely chopped
- 1 shallot minced
- 1 cup leeks
(about 1 leek, chopped) white and light green only
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper plus more to taste
- 2 cups baby bella mushrooms sliced
- 1 cup green or brown lentils uncooked
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup plain unsweetened almond milk
- 2 cups kale chopped
- fresh parsley chopped
Tools:
- blender
- dutch oven or soup pot
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat.
- Add onions and shallots and cook until translucent. Stir frequently to prevent burning (about 5-7 minutes).
- Add leeks and garlic and saute until fragrant (about 2 minutes).
- Add rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir.
- Add vegetable broth, lentils, and mushrooms – turn heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer until lentils are cooked (about 20 minutes).
- Add milk and stir. Remove half of the soup and add to blender. Blend until smooth.
- Add blended soup back into pot and stir. Top with kale and cook until wilted (1-2 minutes). Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Top with fresh parsley and cracked pepper.
Video
Nutrition
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For the mushroom and leek soup recipe I cannot find the amount of leeks that go into soup. Please let me know. Thanks
Hi Lexie! Just updated the recipe. I used three leeks which is about 3 cups when chopped!
Wow I made this soup and it was FANTASTIC. Anything with mushrooms is a winner for me.
Agreed, Erica! So happy you enjoyed!
Made this for the bae, and substituted the baby bella for blue oyster mushrooms and it came out spectacular.
Thanks so much, Sam! Oyster mushrooms sound AMAZING for this recipe!
Amazing, a good hearty & healthy soup!
Thanks, Nicole!
Now that it’s fall I want soup ALL the time. I always make a lentil daal, but I may need to switch things up. Plus, there’s a chance my husband would eat kale in this delicious soup! 😉
Yes! Soups are a great way to get some greens in!
Yum! So many of my favorite ingredients combined into one recipe. Can’t wait to give this soup a try. It looks so comforting!
Thanks, Waz!
I’ve never cooked with leeks before. Sounds good.
I don’t use them too much but they are a fantastic addition to soup! I include how to cut a leek in this post so you know what you’re working with too!
This recipe is beyond DELICIOUS!! I’ve made it once a week since finding it!!!
I LOVE hearing that! 🙂
The flavors in this soup are beyond expectation. The only changes I made was to use coconut milk and I opted to finely chop mushrooms so as to still offer a meaty consistency without being palpable by my little ones. This is definitely a keeper.
So happy you enjoyed! Definitely one of my favorite soup recipes as well 🙂
Is there a substitute for almond milk?
Any plant-based milk will do!
I made the soup this evening; I LOVE it!
Thank you so much, Astrid! It’s one of my favs!
Delicous! I had leftover coconut milk, extra mushrooms and more leeks that I needed to use up. It was more like a stew but just great. Thanks for recipe.
made this for my mom since she was sick, it was delicious! i added some carrots in and didn’t add any milk because we didn’t have any and it was beyond delicious!!
I added 1/2 teasp Garam Masala, ditto ground Cumin, ditto ground Coriander, chilli flakes to taste, and a shake or two of smoked spicy paprika. Gives the essential recipe a little more punch for our British palates. Fabulous!!