Hearty Turkey Lentil Soup
Ingredients Featured in Our Hearty Turkey Lentil Soup
Recipe Overview
This Hearty Turkey Lentil Soup is a comforting and nutritious dish you can enjoy all year round. Packed with protein from lean turkey and fiber from lentils, this soup is designed to boost your immunity, promote gut health, and support overall wellness. It’s a gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free meal that’s perfect for winter and supports various health benefits such as a happy heart, better sleep, and balanced hormones.
Simple to prepare, this turkey lentil soup is hearty, flavorful, and easily adaptable. You can enjoy it with a sprinkle of shaved parmesan cheese or on its own for a satisfying and health-boosting meal.
About Our
Hearty Turkey Lentil Soup
Infused with warmth-inducing ingredients like hearty ground turkey, bright lentils, and root vegetables, this kid-approved Turkey Lentil Soup strikes the perfect balance of nourishment and flavor. It’s ingredients will provide stable energy, while fighting inflammation, boosting the immune system and supporting a lean and strong body.
This heart-happy meal is a weekday, family-friendly meal that will leave everyone licking the bowl, asking for seconds, and feeling great the rest of the day.
Cycle hacking™ with jihi
Our Turkey Lentil Soup, with its lean protein and fiber-rich lentils, is a great premenstrual Cycle Hacking™ tool.
During the luteal phase, the time leading up to your next period (when PMS can rear its head), your body prepares for potential pregnancy or the onset of menstruation. This time is crucial for nourishing your body with wholesome foods to meet its increased nutritional needs.
Lentils, high in iron, alongside a hearty mix of vegetables, provide vital nutrients and support blood health while helping to maintain steady energy levels. This comforting and aromatic soup is a wonderful tool to help alleviate the discomfort of this phase while boosting the immune system and nourishing the body.
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What You'll Need
CARROTS
Chopped carrots add a sweet flavor and a vibrant orange color to the soup. They are rich in beta-carotene, fiber, and antioxidants, promoting eye health and immune function.
CELERY
Chopped celery provides a crunchy texture and a mild, savory flavor. It’s low in calories and high in fiber, making it great for digestion and overall gut health.
CHICKEN STOCK
This flavorful broth forms the base of the soup, adding depth and richness. It’s also a great source of hydration and minerals like potassium.
GARLIC
Minced garlic adds a robust flavor and has powerful anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, making it a staple in healthy cooking.
GREEN LENTILS
These legumes are rich in protein, fiber, and essential minerals. They add a hearty texture to the soup and help keep you full and satisfied.
GROUND TURKEY
Lean ground turkey is a great source of high-quality protein. It’s low in fat and calories, making it a healthy choice for weight management and muscle maintenance.
ITALIAN SEASONING
A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme that adds a classic Mediterranean flavor to the soup.
KALE OR SPINACH
Baby kale or spinach adds a nutrient boost to the soup. These leafy greens are packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and calcium, supporting bone health and immunity.
OLIVE OIL
Used for sautéing the vegetables and turkey, olive oil is a heart-healthy fat rich in antioxidants.
ONION
Diced yellow onion provides a sweet and savory base for the soup, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
PAPRIKA
Smoked or regular paprika adds a warm, earthy flavor and a beautiful color to the soup. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
SALT AND PEPPER
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper are essential for seasoning, bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients.
SHALLOTS
Minced shallots add a delicate, sweet flavor, similar to a combination of garlic and onion, enhancing the soup’s aromatic profile.
TOMATO PASTE
This concentrated form of tomatoes adds a rich, umami flavor and helps thicken the soup.
CRUSHED TOMATOES
These tomatoes provide a tangy and sweet flavor, contributing to the soup’s rich and hearty texture.
How to Make
Hearty Turkey Lentil Soup
Prep the Ingredients
On a cutting board, mince garlic and shallots, chop the carrots and celery, and dice the yellow onion.
Sauté the Spices, Ground Turkey, and Vegetables
Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add minced garlic and cook until golden brown. Stir in shallot and diced yellow onion, continuing to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until softened.Add lean ground turkey, Italian seasoning, paprika, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Continue cooking until the turkey is nicely browned. Gently stir in the chopped carrot and celery. Continue to sauté for another 4 to 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
Prepare, Simmer, and Serve
Add chicken stock, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, green lentils, and bay leaves. Bring the Turkey Lentil Soup to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Continue to cook covered for 15 to 20 minutes. Once the lentils are fully cooked, remove the bay leaves. Stir in baby kale or spinach, and bring to a boil. Cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until the kale or spinach is wilted. Garnish the soup with parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve.
FAQs
Can I use other types of meat instead of ground turkey?
Absolutely! You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken, beef, or pork. You can also use plant-based ground meat alternatives to meet dietary needs.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan-friendly?
Yes! To make this recipe vegetarian or vegan-friendly, you can leave out the ground turkey and substitute vegetable broth for the chicken stock. You can also add extra vegetables or beans for additional protein.
Can I use dry lentils instead of green lentils?
Absolutely! You may need to adjust the cooking time and add more liquid as dried lentils typically require longer cooking times and absorb more liquid than green lentils.
Can I substitute kale or spinach with different greens?
Yes! You can substitute baby kale or spinach with other greens such as Swiss chard, collard greens, or arugula.
What if I don’t have chicken stock?
If you don’t have chicken stock, you can use vegetable broth or beef broth as an alternative. Both will work well and provide a slightly different flavor.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, this soup is perfect for meal prep. You can make it up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat it on the stove or in the microwave before serving.
Can I freeze this soup?
Absolutely! This soup freezes well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave before serving.
Can I add other vegetables?
Yes, feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or peas to the soup. It’s a great way to use up any extra veggies you have on hand.
Still hungry?
For another delicious and nutritious meal, try our Lentil Vegetable Goat Cheese Salad. This European-inspired dish is an amazing make-ahead meal, packed with vibrant vegetables, hearty lentils, and creamy goat cheese, perfect for lunch or dinner.
Add our hearty Sweet Potato Chili with Beef to your weekly meal plan. Each bowl offers a balance of flavors and nutrients for those chilly days.
Hearty Turkey Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 shallots
- 1/2 yellow onion
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika or regular paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups carrot about 3 medium
- 1 1/2 cups celery about 3-4 medium
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 15 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup green lentils
- 2 bay leaves
- 3-4 oz baby kale
- 1 oz parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the produce by washing and mincing the garlic and shallot, small dicing the yellow onion, and chopping the carrots and celery. Tear up the kale into bite-sized chunks.3 cloves garlic, 1 shallots, 1/2 yellow onion, 1 1/2 cups carrot, 1 1/2 cups celery, 3-4 oz baby kale
- Add oil to a large pot and heat over medium-high heat. Once hot, add garlic, cooking until golden brown. Stir in shallot and onion, continuing to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until softened.3 Tbsp olive oil
- Add ground turkey, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until the turkey is browned.1 lb lean ground turkey, 2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Stir in carrot and celery. Continue to sauté for another 4 to 5 minutes, until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Add stock, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, lentils, and bay leaves. Bring the soup to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low. Cook covered for 15 to 20 minutes.6 cups chicken stock, 1 Tbsp tomato paste, 1 cup green lentils, 2 bay leaves, 15 oz crushed tomatoes
- Once the lentils are cooked, remove bay leaves. Stir in kale and bring to a boil. Cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, until the kale is wilted.
- Serve with a garnish of shaved parmesan cheese.1 oz parmesan cheese