Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Lentil Soup

Lentil soup dates back to thousands of years ago. Many cultures have since developed their variations of lentil soup.

Generally, lentil soup is made of dried lentils with a variety of vegetables, spices, and herbs.

Some may make lentil soup with potatoes, ham, sausage, or bacon. While others enjoy vegan lentil soup or vegetarian lentil soup.

The ingredients may sound simple. But the combinations of flavorings and aromatics will make it exciting, packed with depths of umami flavors, and a satisfying mouthfeel!

Our goal is to craft an easy lentil soup Instant Pot recipe with tender hearty lentils (not mushy) in heartwarming thick soup (not watery), with satisfying bites of lentils, veggies, and bacon. Yet has the option for you to switch things up that suit your needs.

How to Make Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Here are the ingredients for cooking Lentil Soup in Instant Pot:

Lentils. There are different varieties of lentils such as Red Lentils, Yellow Lentils, Green Lentils, Puy Lentils, and Beluga Lentils.

We developed this easy lentil soup Instant Pot recipe with dried green lentils because they hold up well after cooking and have a nutty taste. While Red Lentils or Yellow Lentils won’t hold up as well and may come out mushy.

• Red Lentils/Yellow Lentils/Brown Lentils: For this recipe, it’s best to use green lentils. If you’re substituting with red lentils or yellow lentils, shorten the pressure cook time by a few minutes.

Unsalted Chicken Stock. Different salted chicken stock can differ in levels of sodium, so we prefer to develop recipes using unsalted chicken stock. Unsalted stock gives us more control on the consistency of the dish’s flavor profile. Best if you can make your own chicken stock! You can use salted chicken stock, remember to taste and adjust accordingly.

• Vegan Option: Substitute unsalted chicken stock with unsalted vegetable stock.

Our Secret Ingredients:

Bacon. Why make lentil soup with bacon? Bacon serves 3 grand purposes to kick this hearty soup to the next level!

1. We’re using the smoky-savory-bacony fat to saute the garlic and onion
2. It’ll add a smoky-savory-umami dimension of flavors to the lentil soup
3. The crispy bacon bits will add a satisfying texture to this hearty thick soup. yum yum~

• Vegan Option: Skip the bacon and use olive oil to saute the onions and garlic.

Fish Sauce. (Amy + Jacky’s favorite! hehe~) This adds a magical delicious touch of savory-umami depth of flavors to the soup. Don’t worry! The amount of fish sauce won’t make your pressure cooker lentil soup taste fishy. Try it!

• Vegan Option: Substitute fish sauce with regular soy sauce.

Sherry Vinegar or Rice Wine Vinegar (Optional). This imparts a complex, rounded acidity flavor that will brighten up the flavor profile with a new dimension. Be sure to first taste test with a small spoonful to see if you like this flavor profile. Then add according to your personal preferences.

Tools for Lentil Soup Instant Pot Recipe

• Instant Pot Pressure Cooker (6qt)
• Wooden Spoon
• Pyrex Measuring Cups
• Kitchen Tongs

Lentil Soup Preparation

Rinse lentils in cold water, then remove any debris if there’s any. Drain well.

Preheat & Render Bacon

Before you turn on the heat, layer 6 slices of bacon in your Instant Pot’s inner pot.

Heat up Instant Pot using “Sauté More” function.

Tip – For older Instant Pots: press “Saute” button, then “Adjust” button. For newer Instant Pots: press “Saute” button twice.

Flip bacon slices occasionally.

Once the Instant Pot says “HOT” (roughly 12 minutes), the bacon should be done.

Place the tasty bacon slices on a paper towel to absorb the excess fat.

It might be tempting, but resist eating all the bacon at this stage! hehe~

Saute Onions & Garlic

There should be a lot of flavorful bacon fat in the Instant Pot. If you wish, you can remove some of the fat.

Add in diced onions, then saute for three minutes.

Add minced garlic, 1 teaspoon (2.7g) ground cumin, 1 teaspoon (0.6g) dried thyme, and 3 bay leaves in Instant Pot. Saute for another minute.

Deglaze Instant Pot

Pour ½ cup (125ml) unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot.

Then deglaze by scrubbing all the flavorful brown bits off the bottom of the pot (as shown in the photo below). Give it a quick mix.

Pressure Cook Lentil Soup

Add 2 tablespoons (30ml) fish sauce and 5½ cups (1375ml) unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot.

Add 2 cups (400g) green lentils, chopped carrots, and chopped celery in Instant Pot. Give it a quick mix.

Layer 14oz (400g) crushed tomatoes on top (as shown in the photo below). Do not mix.

With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.

Instant Pot Lentil Soup Cook Time: Pressure cook lentil soup at High Pressure for 8 minutes, then Natural Release for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, release the remaining pressure by turning Venting Knob to Venting Position.

While the lentil soup is pressure cooking, cut bacon slices into bacon bits.

When Floating Valve drops, open the lid carefully.

Season & Serve Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Taste umami lentil soup in Instant Pot, then adjust seasoning accordingly.

For reference, we added roughly 4 to 5 pinches of salt to season it properly and open up the flavors. 

Garnish Best Instant Pot Lentil Soup with freshly chopped parsley and bacon bits. Then serve immediately.

What to Serve with Lentil Soup

This easy lentil soup instant pot recipe is very filling, hearty, and satisfying. So, you can serve it as a nutrient-dense meal on its own. But it also goes well with many main or side dishes such as rice.

Here are some tasty ideas for you:

Bread, Sandwiches, Crackers: easy no knead bread, French baguettes, sourdough, grilled cheese sandwiches, toasted garlic bread, dinner rolls, biscuits, cornbread, croutons, or saltine crackers.

Salads, Vegetables: Coleslaw, green salads like Caesar salad, potato salad, corn on the cob, Instant Pot baked potatoes, Instant Pot mashed potatoes, Instant Pot Roasted Potatoes, Instant Pot Green Beans, Instant Pot Broccoli.

Lentil Soup Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to Make Vegan Instant Pot Lentil Soup?

To turn this into a vegan lentil soup recipe:

• Substitute the unsalted chicken stock with vegetable stock
• Substitute the fish sauce with regular soy sauce
• Skip the bacon and use olive oil to saute the onions

2. How to Make Dump-it-all-in Lentil Soup?

You can turn this into a “dump-it-all-in” lentil soup in Instant Pot.

• Place all the ingredients in the Instant Pot (except crushed tomatoes and bacon slices).
• Layer the crushed tomatoes on the very top and do not mix.
• Close lid and pressure cook as directed.
• Bacon Bits: Follow the oven instructions for crisping the bacon slices below.

3. How to Prepare Bacon Bits in the Oven?

To prepare the bacon in the oven:

• Place bacon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of a preheated 400°F oven.
• Bake bacon until crispy and golden brown. Set a timer for roughly 18 to 20 minutes.
• Place bacon on a paper towel to absorb the excess fat.
• Cut bacon strips into bacon bits.
• Enjoy these addictive umami bits~

4. Can you Freeze this Lentil Soup?

Yes, this pressure cooker lentil soup freezes well. This is a great budget-friendly, healthy, and tasty meal prep recipe. You can freeze the lentil soup by letting it cool, then pour it into freezer storage containers or freezer bags. With freezer bags, try to remove as much air as possible, then lay them flat in the freezer to freeze. When you’re ready to enjoy this comforting lentil soup, thaw, reheat, then enjoy.

5. Can I Half this Lentil Soup Instant Pot Recipe? Yes. Increase the pressure cooking time by 2 minutes.

Enjoy your Umami Instant Pot Lentil Soup!~

More Instant Pot Lentil Recipes

• Instant Pot Lentils
• Instant Pot Lentil Curry