German Lentil Soup Recipe

This German lentil soup recipe is absolute comfort food on a chilly day or evening.

This amazing German dish is one I grew up with. My grandmother always made lentils for me, so I eventually began to associate them with being “comfort food”. I loved them especially because they were always served with a bratwurst or some other German sausage.

A spoon lifts some German Lentil Soup out of a white bowl. A small bowl of paprika sits on the table behind it.

When I moved to Germany, I was pleased as punch to find that they still made their lentils the same way. So now, I’m happy to share this fabulous recipe with you!
While the sausages may not be part of a clean eating plan, I promise, you don’t really need them for this tasty dish.

Note: Some folks like to soak their lentils overnight. While doing so is not necessary for digestion, it will cut the cooking time in half. However, I’ve never soaked any beans or legumes I’ve ever cooked. So do whatever comes naturally to you.

What Is Lentil Soup Made Of?

Lentil soup is generally made of lentils, broth, and any flavorings you want to add. Some people will cook lentils with meat to add flavor, but it’s not necessary as you will see in the recipe below.

A white bowl filled with German Lentil Soup sits on a white plate and table. Fresh parsley is sprinkled around it.

Lentil Soup Nutrition

Lentils are a very healthy legume. They have tons of fiber, they’re low in fat, and have healthy doses of folate and magnesium.

How Long Should You Soak Lentils For Soup?

You don’t have to soak them at all. While most beans and legumes benefit from soaking, lentils are not one of them. That being said, if you’re in a hurry, soaking lentils will generally cut stovetop cooking time in half.

A white bowl filled with German Lentil Soup and garnished with fresh parsley.

Is Lentil Soup High In Calories?

No. A plain lentil soup will generally be very low in calories. But it will depend heavily on what you add to your soup. The lentils themselves offer only about 230 calories per cup of cooked lentils. Again, what you add to them can vary caloric intake considerably.

Optional Additions

  • Bacon
  • Hambone
  • Frankfurter sausages
  • Worcestershire sauce – I recommend the vegan version to keep the ingredients clean and healthy.
  • Carrots
  • Potatoes
  • Celery – Slice celery stalks very thin for the best results.

Optional Seasonings

  • Celery salt
  • Bay leaf
  • Mustard
  • Garlic or garlic powder
  • Marjoram
  • Hot pepper sauce

About The Ingredients

Vegetable broth – you can also use water if you prefer. Chicken broth works in a pinch. Just be sure that either broth does not contain sugar.

Brown lentils  – green lentils work, too. Rinse them well and make sure to remove any small rocks or clumps of dirt.

Onion powder – Onion granules work as well.

Paprika – Make sure this is regular paprika. Not smoked paprika.

Balsamic vinegar – Any brand you prefer without any added sugar or sweetener. Avoid flavored vinegar here.

Salt – to taste after cooking

How To Make German Lentil Soup

German Lentil Soup Recipe ingredients in white bowls on a white background.

Collect, measure, and prep all the ingredients.

German Lentil Soup Recipe ingredients combined in a pot.

Place all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat slightly to keep a gentle rolling boil without letting it cook over.

A ladle lifts some just-cooked German Lentil Soup out of a pot.

Cook until the lentils are completely soft. (This can vary by the age of your lentils. Older lentils will need to cook longer. Times can vary between 30 minutes and 1 hour)

A spoon lifts some German Lentil Soup out of a white bowl.

Serve hot.

How To Store German Lentil Soup

If you have used vegetable broth, this will last in the fridge for up to 5 days.

If you have used chicken broth, this will last in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Store in an airtight container.

Freezing

If packaged well, this will last in the fridge for up to 5 months.

Reheating

Thaw in the fridge or the microwave if frozen.

Reheat in a pot on the stovetop or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes on high.

More Healthy Soup Recipes

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A spoon lifts some German Lentil Soup out of a white bowl. A small bowl of paprika sits on the table behind it.

German Lentil Soup

A deliciously simple lentil soup for chilly nights.
3.23 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Legumes, Soup
Cuisine: German
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 160kcal
Author: Tiffany McCauley

Ingredients

  • 10 cups vegetable broth (you can also use water if you prefer)
  • 2 cups brown lentils (green lentils work too)
  • 1 tbsp. onion powder
  • 2 tsp. paprika
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • salt to taste after cooking

Instructions

  • Collect, measure, and prep all the ingredients.
    German Lentil Soup Recipe ingredients in white bowls on a white background.
  • Place all ingredients in a large pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat slightly to keep a nice soft rolling boil without having it cook over.
    German Lentil Soup Recipe ingredients combined in a pot.
  • Cook until the lentils are completely soft. (This can vary by the age of your lentils. Older lentils will need to cook longer. Times can vary between 30 minutes and 1 hour)
    A ladle lifts some just-cooked German Lentil Soup out of a pot.
  • Serve hot.
    A spoon lifts some German Lentil Soup out of a white bowl.

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data given here is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 10g | Sodium: 945mg | Potassium: 410mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1000IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 3.2mg

This recipe from the Gracious Pantry archives, originally posted 5/15/10.

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20 Comments

  1. Anna Johnston says:

    Hi Tiffany
    I’ve just come across you on Twitter & have been pouring over your recipes. I’ve never been ‘into’ lentils but you make it sound so great – even calling it ‘comfort food’! I’m going to try this clean eating lentil soup recipe.
    I’d love to keep in touch. Are you on Facebook? If so, come on over & we’ll keep in touch.
    Cheers
    Anna

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Hi Anna!

      Let me know what you think about the lentils. They are honestly comfort food for me. My grandma always made them for me on cold winter days. I’d come in wet from walking home from school in the rain and have a big bowl of hot, steamy lentils waiting for me. It was fabulous!

      Hope you enjoy them!
      (Following you on FB now)

      Take care.

  2. trude wofford says:

    I love lentils and will try this recipe of your very soon

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Trude – Thanks! It’s one of my favorites.

  3. Michele M says:

    This looks so good, it is going on the list for next week- my husband loves Lentils!

  4. Lydia maripoza75 says:

    I love lentils to my grandma use to make them for me too. Will give your recipe a try sounds good 😉

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Lydia – Great! Let me know how you like them!

  5. Happened upon your site a week ago. Tried this recipe tonight and it ROCKS!! Thanks so much for sharing!! 🙂

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Julie – Fabulous! I’m so happy you enjoyed it! It’s definitely a family favorite for us.

  6. Yum!!! Question…do you have any recipes with plantains? Cuz they would go great with this soup. 🙂

    1. graciouspantry says:

      Letty – No, I don’t have much experience with them. Sorry!

  7. graciouspantry says:

    Dora – Cooking is great that way. You can add and subtract as you like! Personally, I wouldn’t care for it much in this recipe. But then I’m a bit partial to the way my grandmother made it. So I might be a little biased. Give it a try and see if you like it.

  8. graciouspantry says:

    Dora – This is a very simple soup. The seasonings are meant to be mild. However, you can add more vinegar, or any spice you like. Cumin might be a good option or garlic and onion powder. Even some curry would be good. The lentils are already a carb, so I would add protein to this in some way. Perhaps a side of chicken or pork? I’m sorry, I realize I’m not being very helpful here. I’ll have to try making the soup again to play around with it. I’ll let you know.

  9. graciouspantry says:

    Jan – Glad you enjoyed it!

  10. Elizabert49 says:

    Just put this in the crockpot using one box of good quality chicken stock, water, balsamic vinegar, coriander, onion powder. I cannot wait!

  11. graciouspantry says:

    There are some mild differences, yes.

  12. Do you know of any canned lentil soup that is clean , I would add my own stuff in too but I’m a currently a little injured so its hard for me to prepare my food like I am use too. So just looking for some clean eating easy food while I heal!i love your site
    Thanks 🙂

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Not off hand. If you have a Whole Foods in your area (or any health food store), they could probably point you to a good one.

  13. Hi Tiffany!
    I´m from Germany and I love your recipes and the lentil soup tastes amazing and it tastes exactly like my grandma´s lentil soup 🙂

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Alisa – Yay!!! What part of Germany are you from? I miss it so much! I lived in Stuttgart for almost a year. One of the best years of my life, minus the homesickness.