This is the best Instant Pot Lentil Soup full of tender lentils and veggies that hold well under pressure producing so much flavour! With only 5 mins of prep, no sautéing, or pre-soaking, this is the easiest healthy soup perfect for busy weeknights!

The Ukrainian in me loves making complete meal soups for dinner like chicken and lentil soup and Instant Pot beef barley soup. They last for days, are cheap and kids love them!

Instant Pot lentil soup with spinach served in a bowl.

This Instant Pot lentil soup is a cross between my stovetop lentil spinach soup and slow cooker lentil soup. You couldn’t ask for an easier or healthier soup recipe that makes enough to feed your family soup for a week!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Delicious: No matter what benefits my recipes have, one thing they have in common is they always taste good!
  • Healthy: Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, plant based and made with simple, wholesome fresh ingredients.
  • Leftovers: Especially if you’re making a monster batch in the 8 quart pot. I mean, lentil and spinach soup for breakfast anyone?
  • Budget-friendly: No fussy ingredients. Most of it you’ll probably already have in your kitchen and if not, none of it will break the bank.
  • Easy: There is no sautéing beforehand and no pre-soaking the beans. With just 5 minutes of prep the pressure cooker does the work. It really doesn’t get easier than this.

Looking for more bean soup ideas? Check out Instant Pot black bean soup, Instant Pot split pea soup, and Instant Pot minestrone.

Ingredients

  • Lentils: Use french green lentils or brown lentils, whichever you have. Both will hold their shape under pressure and don’t become mushy. Make sure to rinse and drain them, however no pre soaking needed.
  • Vegetables: Carrots, celery, spinach or kale, low sodium diced or crushed tomatoes. You can play around with the amount and type of vegetable you use, depending on your preferences.
  • Aromatics: Onion, garlic cloves, bay leaves all work together to give this soup amazing flavour.
  • Broth: You can use bouillon cubes and 10 cups of water or 10 cups of low sodium vegetable broth or stock.

I highly recommend to buy organic bouillon cubes available at many grocery stores – cheaper and more convenient than carton broth. You can also do half stock/half water to cut back on cost.

  • Seasonings: Cumin, oregano, salt and pepper are all this recipe calls for in terms of herbs and spices. Simple seasoning that goes a long way.
Lentils, spinach, celery, carrots, onion, garlic, cheese, diced tomatoes, spices.

Are Lentils Good for You?

Lentils are edible seeds from a legume family. So many reasons to incorporate lentils in your diet!

  • Lentils are a nutrition powerhouse. They are a plant-based source of complex carbs, fiber and whopping 25% of protein.
  • According to Healthline, 1 cup of cooked lentils provides 40 grams of carbs, 16 grams of fiber and 18 grams of protein.
  • Fiber in lentils helps with regular bowel movements and good bacteria growth in your gut.
  • Served with brown rice it is a complete protein which is great for vegetarians, not only for protein but for iron as well.

How to Cook Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Instant Pot Lentil Soup is easy and true dump and go meal because you don’t have to saute any veggies.

  • Add veggies: To the Instant Pot or any other electric pressure cooker, add carrots, celery and onion.
  • Add everything else: Then add green lentils, diced tomatoes, cumin, oregano, bay leaves, salt, pepper and bouillon cubes + water or veggie stock.
  • Pressure cook on high pressure for 18 minutes: Close the lid, set pressure valve to Sealing and press Pressure Cook on High or Manual button.

Does yours say pressure cook or manual? Not all Instant Pots are made exactly the same. Depending on the model of your pot, your button might say “manual” or it might say “pressure cook.” Not to worry, they mean the exact same thing!

  • Release the pressure: You can release the pressure by doing a natural release which takes just under an hour (this means leaving it alone and doing nothing with it until the pin drops). Or, you can do a quick release by turning the valve to venting and releasing the pressure in about 3-4 minutes.

Tip: Using the quick release method is much faster (obviously) but there will be a lot of splatters and possibly smell. Sometimes, what I like to do is take it outside and release it there.

  • Greens: Remove the lids and now is the time to add spinach or kale.
  • Fresh garlic: Nothing brightens up a soup like fresh garlic, says Ukrainian me. There is a huge difference between cooked and fresh garlic flavour. HUGE! You have to trust me on this one because I’m the Ukrainian of all Ukrainians.
  • Parmesan cheese: Stir and serve soup hot garnished with Parmesan cheese. If you are strict vegan, you’ll probably skip Parmesan, unless you find vegetarian parmesan.

Grab a spoon, slip on some cozy sweats and enjoy all those warm layers of healthy, delicious flavours!

Money-saving: If you see an organic box of baby spinach on sale – buy it and freeze it for later. Then use it to make things like green smoothies or spinach dip

Optional Add In’s and Variations

  • Red lentils: Reduce cooking time down to 12 minutes. Simple red lentil soup comes out mushier and thicker like split pea soup because red lentils do not hold their texture as well as green or brown lentils. I love it too!
  • Diced ham or sausage: Just add it along with other ingredients. No changes to the pressure cooker lentil soup recipe.
  • Fresh or frozen chicken: Throw a few pieces in to make Instant Pot version of chicken lentil soup. No changes to the recipe.
  • Spice it up: There is a lot of flavour these little lentils but they’re also humble enough to take on so much outside flavour. If you like a little heat with yours, toss in some red pepper flakes or just serve with a drizzle of hot sauce at the end.
  • Fire roasted diced tomatoes: If you can find them, fire roasted tomatoes would add a great ‘smoky’ taste to this lentil and spinach soup.
  • Chicken broth: If you’re not concerned about keeping this a vegetarian soup and you’d rather use chicken broth or Instant Pot chicken broth, do that instead. It will add a delicious yet slightly different flavour.

I told you this Instant Pot lentil and spinach soup recipe is amazing!

Tips for Best Results

  • Low sodium cans: Add less salt if using not low sodium tomatoes and stock.
  • 3 quart Instant Pot: Cut 6 quart ingredients measurement in half. Keep the same cooking time. Your pot always should be no more than 2/3 full when making soup in a pressure cooker (read more).
  • Pot not more than 2/3 full: If your inner pot doesn’t have 2/3 full marking, it is very important to fill the pot only 2/3 full when pressure cooking. Ignore the cups, L and near the edge Max markers.
  • Stovetop: If you’re looking for a stovetop recipe for lentil soup, here is a delicious lentil spinach soup for you! 
  • Steam diverter: I love my ‘Henry’ steam diverter! It not only helps keep your kitchen counters clean during steam release it can prevent steam from damaging kitchen cabinets.

How to Make a Freezer Meal

  • Instant Pot: Add all ingredients in the order listed in the recipe minus the water, spinach, and garlic. Freeze uncooked in a gallon size Ziploc bag for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen with 10 cups of water/broth if using a 6 quart Instant Pot or 14 cups if using an 8 quart. The instructions for cooking from frozen are to cook for 20 minutes with a Quick Release at the end.
  • Slow cooker: Add all ingredients in the order listed in the recipe minus water, spinach and garlic and freeze uncooked in a gallon size Ziploc bag for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen with 10 cups of water/broth on Low for 10 hours or on High for 5 hours.
  • After cooking: Add the spinach and garlic. Stir and serve hot garnished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired.

Check out my full list of 20 healthy freezer meals. I’m obsessed with meal prep and batch cooking. Especially during hockey season!

Soup freezer meal in a Ziploc bag and a bowl of finished soup.

FAQs

Why no sautéing for this Instant Pot soup recipe?

Because I truly believe that food cooked under pressure is more flavourful than the same ingredients cooked on the stove top. If I have to do the same amount of work, what is the point of a $100 appliance?

So, don’t bother to saute veggies in olive oil for this green lentil soup. Your soup will come out super delicious my way!

Should I natural or quick release for Instant Pot lentil soup?

When the lentil soup is ready, it needs time to release the pressure before you can open it. Once it is safe to do so, the dropped down float valve (the little pin) will drop.

You can let it do it on its own which will take less than an hour by doing a Natural Release or you can do a Quick Release by turning the pressure valve to the Venting position, which takes 3-4 minutes.

I recommend doing so outside to avoid the mess and smell.

What other flavor boosters can I add?

Chopped fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon would be delicious. Add with garlic at the very end.

Is Instant Pot lentil soup vegan friendly?

If you skip the parmesan on top this soup is meat free and vegan friendly! You could alternately top with a vegan parmesan or sprinkle of nutritional yeast.

How do I make this soup thicker?

If you would like to make this soup even thicker than it is, you could make a cornstarch slurry (just cornstarch and cold water) or add some cooked Instant Pot brown rice or quinoa to give it more bulk. Alternately, you could use an immersion blender and blend some of the soup.

Instant Pot lentil soup in a bowl.

Serving Recommendations

This soup is loaded with good stuff, including protein! Even without any extra meat! Really, it’s a complete meal on its own, but there are days when I like to use it as a starter or have a little something extra on the side.

  • Serving it with a side of crusty bread for sopping up that liquid is a given. A good French or Italian loaf is where it’s at!
  • As a starter to something easy like air fryer chicken wings or chicken lettuce wraps.
  • On its own: Grab a handful of parmesan cheese, maybe some fresh parsley, or a drizzle of hot sauce and maybe a glass of wine and you’re all set!

How to Store

Storing: Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and enjoy a bowl or 2 every day of the week!

Freezing: Lentils freeze beautifully and there are no tender vegetables in this lentil soup either, which means nothing will turn to mush. Well, except the spinach, but we already froze, thawed and cooked it, so its vibrant color is gone anyway. Freeze cooled down soup leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: Thaw on a counter overnight before reheating. For quick thawing, place frozen soup into a pot and simmer on low covered, stirring occasionally. It takes a bit of extra time but “crap, forgot to take it out of the freezer” happens to the best of us!

More Instant Pot Soup Recipes

Looking for more easy soup ideas? Check out my most popular collection of 45 healthy Instant Pot recipes.

instant pot lentil soup

Instant Pot Lentil Soup Recipe

Instant Pot Lentil Soup full of tender lentils and veggies, only 5 mins prep, no sautéing, or pre-soaking. Healthy soup ready in 30 minutes.
4.94 from 226 votes
Servings 7 (6 Qt.), 11 (8 Qt.) servings
Calories 244
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes

Ingredients  

6 Quart Instant Pot

8 Quart Instant Pot

Instructions 

  • In Instant Pot, add onion, carrot and celery.
  • Add lentils, tomatoes, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, bay leaves and bouillon cubes. Add bouillon cubes and water enough to fill up to 2/3 full line or approximately 10 cups.***
  • Close the lid, set pressure vent to Sealing and press Pressure Cook on High pressure for 18 minutes. Display will say ON, Instant Pot will take about 30 minutes to come to pressure, you will see a bit of steam coming out from a valve, then float valve will rise and countdown from 18 minutes will begin.
  • Lentil soup is ready but your Instant Pot needs to bring pressure down before you can open it, which will be indicated by a dropped down float valve. You can let it do it on its own which will take less than an hour – Natural Release. OR you can do Quick Release by turning pressure valve to Venting position, which takes 3-4 minutes. I recommend doing so outside to avoid the mess and smell.
  • Open the lid, add spinach and stir. Grate fresh garlic over soup and stir.
  • Serve hot garnished with Parmesan cheese.

Video

Notes

  • Make ahead: Refrigerate chopped veggies with spices in an airtight container for up to 3 days and mix with the rest when ready to cook.
  • Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container or inner Instant Pot pot with a fitting glass lid for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze: Freeze cooled down soup in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to Make a Freezer Meal
  • Instant Pot: Add all ingredients in the order listed in the recipe minus water, spinach and garlic and freeze uncooked in a gallon size Ziploc bag for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen with 10 (6 quart Instant Pot) or 14 cups (8 quart Instant Pot) of water/broth for 20 minutes, after do Quick Release.
  • Slow cooker: Add all ingredients in the order listed in the recipe minus water, spinach and garlic and freeze uncooked in a gallon size Ziploc bag for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen with water/broth on Low for 10 hours or on High for 5 hours.
  • After cooking: Add spinach and garlic. Stir and serve hot garnished with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cups | Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 415mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 6g
Course: Soup
Cuisine: North American
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made this for Xmas. Soup annual tradition. Everyone loved it! Modified recipe a little – Used 32oz of vegetable broth, 32 oz of vegetable stock, 2 cups hot water, Tony Saturize sauce sprinkled on top & added 1.5 teaspoons of curry, and 1/8 of soaked hard rice (didn’t know how the rice would expand, but worked … might add some more next time).

    1. Do you recommend using natural release or quick release? Does it affect/compromise the flavor of the soup if I were to do quick release?

      1. Well…Of course, like any soup that sits longer it tastes better. Soup might be a bit more flavorful with natural release but it’s not critical. If you have time, let it subside on its own. If not, it’s perfectly fine!

  2. 5 stars
    I made this soup today but i used split peas (by mistake) instead of lentils. They look like they overcooked but I’m still happy with it.

  3. 5 stars
    I have made this in the 6qt IP and it was exceptional! How would split peas be added to this recipe? If the answer is good how much would I use in this recipe in the 6qt pot?

    Look forward to trying more of your recipes

      1. 5 stars
        Hi Olena,
        I love, love, love your recipes. Definitely allowing me to explore my Instant Pot in ways I had not done before. Everything I’ve tried is delicious 😋.

        I can’t wait to try this recipe, question, the 11oz box of spinach or kale, is this fresh or frozen?

        1. So glad you are enjoying everything! It can be either, buy the fresh when it is on sale and freeze it 🙂

  4. 5 stars
    Ms. Osipov, at worst I find lentil soup undistinguished chalk, and at best a sort of simplistic satisfying of basic warmth and health needs. Yours is exquisite. Thank you, Laura

  5. 5 stars
    I’m confused about the call for 10 cups of stock and mentioning that the instant pot shouldn’t be more than 2/3 full? I followed these instructions to a tee and my instant pot (6qt) was almost completely full! I had to ladle out some of the liquids to get it back to the 2/3 line. I wish there was a little more clarity on which instruction should be followed…

    Otherwise, the soup is delicious!

  6. 5 stars
    I’ve been looking for a good instant pot lentil soup recipe, and this one was FABULOUS!! Our whole family devoured it. It’s part of our weekly meal rotation now!

  7. 5 stars
    I felt skeptical since the recipe was so simple, but this soup was amazing!

    I used a 28 oz can of tomato sauce since it’s what I had in the pantry and
    added homemade hot sauce to my bowl and it was perfection.

  8. 5 stars
    This one is a family favourite !!
    I’ve made it many times, and love it with fresh grated Parmesan cheese and extra spinach ❤️

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