Homemade lentil soup is a filling, nutritious, and hearty soup that can be made ahead of time and stored to be enjoyed at a later date!

 

Greek lentil soup is made with small green-brown lentils (Le Puy lentils, also known as French lentils), olive oil, diced carrots, celery, onions, tomato paste, garlic, bay leaves, and vegetable broth or chicken broth.  You can also make lentil soup with yellow lentils, red lentils or green lentils or customize your lentil soup with different ingredients and spices.  This soup comes together with just a few simple ingredients!

 

Lentil soup can be prepped ahead of time and frozen for convenience or as a great meal prep option.  Read below for important topics related to lentil soup: how to store lentil soup, how to freeze lentil soup, and how to reheat lentil soup! Plus, delicious ideas on what to serve with lentil soup.

 

In case you’re in need of a lentil soup recipe, below is an image of the ingredients needed for Riri’s Greek Eats Greek lentil soup! I hope you give it a try, and please leave a review if you love it!

 

 

How Long Does Lentil Soup Last In The Fridge?

Homemade lentil soup lasts in the fridge for up to five days if stored correctly.  For it to taste great even longer, use the freshest vegetables when making your soup.  If you’ve added meat like chicken or fish to your lentil soup, then it will only last up to four days in the fridge.

 

Allow the soup to cool at room temperature and then refrigerate it in an air-tight container.  It’s best to cool and refrigerate any cooked leftovers within two hours to reduce the chances of bacteria.  If you have a large amount of leftover lentil soup, then it’s best to divide the soup into smaller containers so that it can cool more quickly.

 

How long packaged lentil soup lasts will depend on if it has been opened or not.  Look for the expiry date on the container.  If it has been opened, then the shelf life will be up to 3-4 days.  But this timeframe could vary based on the package instructions.

 

It’s a good idea to date the soup containers so that you know how long your lentil soup has been in the fridge.

 

What To Serve With Lentil Soup?

Lentil soup is satisfying and filling on its own, but sometimes it’s nice to enjoy it will a little sidekick!  Below are some of my favourite options, but there are lots of possibilities out there to try!

 

Fresh bread or homemade pita bread: Lightly toasted warm fresh bread or pita bread to dip into your deliciously hearty lentil soup. I love to brush the bread or pita bread with olive oil and dried oregano and then toast it in the oven.

 

 

Feta cheese and balsamic reduction glaze: I love using Nonna Pia’s balsamic glaze and creamy feta cheese.   There’s something about the flavour combination of sweet balsamic glaze, salty feta cheese, and the earthy flavours of lentil soup.

 

Greek salad: Greek salad is full of juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, green peppers, thinly sliced onions, olives, and creamy feta cheese.  For even more nutritional value, you can pair lentil soup with a salad of your choice!

 

Roasted vegetables: For a hot side dish, you should try Greek roasted vegetables.   The depth of flavor from the slow-roasted oven vegetables with caramelized onions, eggplant, bell peppers, zucchini, fresh herbs, and lots of olive oil is so good!

 

Greek rice: Savory and aromatic Greek rice is a popular and easy side dish that goes well with any meal.  Sautéed with white onions and deliciously cooked in a fragrant vegetable or chicken broth.  Sprinkle with fresh parsley, paprika and lemon zest.

 

 

Can You Freeze Lentil Soup?

Yes, you can! Lentil soup freezes really well because there’s no dairy in it.  For best results, let the soup cool down to room temperature, then portion out the soup into smaller freezer-safe containers or single-serving portions so you can dethaw just the amount you need.  That way you don’t have to dethaw large amounts of soup at a time – unless you want to!

 

Label the airtight containers so that you know the date that you put them in the freezer.  Then place the soup in the freezer on a flat surface so that it can freeze evenly.  Lentil soup can last up to 3 months in the freezer when stored correctly.

 

Lastly, it’s a good idea to leave a little bit of room at the top of the container and not pour the lentil soup right up to the top because it will expand slightly as it freezes, so there should be an inch or two of space.

 

Freezing lentil soup is a convenient option if you want to make healthy lentil soup in larger quantities.  A great way to save time and have a healthy meal on hand when you need it.

 

How To Defrost Lentil Soup?

For best results, remove the lentil soup from the freezer and allow the soup to defrost in the refrigerator overnight.  If you dethaw lentil soup in the fridge, then it will last for an additional 2-3 days in the fridge.  However, if you’ve dethawed it in cold water or heated up previously frozen lentil soup, it should be consumed right away and not refrigerated for later.

 

How To Reheat Lentil Soup?

Lentil soup is just as delicious the next day! To reheat leftover soup, you can simply reheat the soup in the microwave or on the stovetop.  Use a microwave-safe dish to reheat the lentil soup until it’s heated through.  Stirring every 30 seconds or so, so that the lentil soup doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.

 

If you’re reheating lentil soup on the stove, do so over low heat initially.  Then increase to a gentle simmer and stir occasionally until heated through. You can also add in a little bit of water or olive oil if you think the soup needs a little more liquid.

 

Whether reheating in the microwave or on the stove, lentil soup should reach at least 165°F or 74°C so that any harmful bacteria are destroyed during the cooking process.  If you don’t have a thermometer, reheating the soup for 3-4 minutes so that it’s hot and warmed through will be good.

 

 

How To Know If Your Lentil Soup Has Gone Bad?

You may be excited to enjoy a warm bowl of lentil soup, but if you think your soup may have gone bad, then check for the following to be sure.  If there’s mold anywhere on the surface of your lentil soup (even a small amount), then it has gone bad and should not be consumed.  Or if there are obvious changes in texture, colour, or smell, then the soup should be thrown away.  If you’re making a large batch of lentil soup, then freezing it may be a better option!

 

Lentil soup is a versatile and delicious dish that is easy to make and perfect for a comforting meal any day of the week.  Lentil soup can be made vegetarian or vegan and is loaded with vegetables and protein-packed legumes!