Name: Instant Pot Lentil and Split Pea Soup [Or Stove Top]
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 yellow onion (diced); 2 carrots (peeled & diced); 2 celery stalks (diced); 6-8 cups low sodium vegetable broth (*see notes); 1 cup yellow or green split peas; 1 cup green or brown lentils; 1/2 cup frozen peas; 1/2 cup frozen corn; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon cumin; salt + pepper (to taste)

JUMP TO RECIPE

Lentil and split pea soup is made in one pot, your Instant Pot, or on stove top. It’s hearty, filling, nutrient dense and incredibly delicious. Simple prep and ready in a flash!

Blue bowl with handle filled with lentil and vegetable soup.

This recipe was originally published in June 2018. It has been updated for content and photos.

This warming winter soup is truly perfect for your busy weeknights. With little prep, you can have everything into your pot within just 15 minutes! Then let your Instant Pot, or stove top do the work.

For more delicious, nutrient dense soup recipes, I highly recommend checking out this soup recipe collection.

Two bowls of lentil soup with carrots, corn and peas on brown deck.

Why you’ll love this soup

Completely wholesome and nutrient dense. This soup is not only loaded with nutritious ingredients like lentils, split peas, celery and carrots. But it’s also free from oil, making it low in calories and virtually fat free.
Easy to prepare. Not much prep work here, which is one of my favourite parts. Just chop up some onion, carrot and celery and throw everything else in the pot!
It’s comforting and satisfying. It’s not only warming for those colder months, but it will leave you feeling full and content any time of year.

Hand holding spoon inside bowl of lentil split pea soup.

How to make it

(This is a summary with step by step photos, full recipe measurements and instructions are in the recipe card below.)

Start by gathering your ingredients.

Ingredients to make lentil and split pea soup in bowls on brown deck.

Dice your onion, carrots and celery. (photo 1)

Then transfer to your Instant Pot (or pot on stove top) with a few tablespoons of water or broth. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. (photos 2-3)

Chopped onion, carrot and celery on cutting board, and then transferred to pot.

Add all remaining ingredients to your pot. (photos 4-5)

Then cook according to the cooking method you’ve chosen. (photo 6)

For Instant Pot, seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Quick release and serve.

For Stove Top, bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender.

Lentils, split peas and veggies in Instant Pot before and after cooking.

Taste and adjust for salt and pepper, if you’d like, and serve.

Blue bowl with handles filled with vegetable soup with lentils.

How long does it keep?

Your lentil and split pea soup keeps refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 4 days. In fact, it tastes even better and will continue to thicken, the longer it sits. So if time permits, plan to make ahead.

To freeze, make sure your soup is completely cooled first. Then, store in a freezer safe, air tight container in your freezer for up to 3 months. Make sure to leave some room for expansion. Thaw in your refrigerator overnight, and heat on stove top when ready to consume.

Can I make any substitutions?

For the lentils, I like green, but you may sub for brown or red, if preferred.

For the split peas, yellow or green both work well. You may also sub the split peas for split red lentils, if preferred.

Tips for Success

Use low sodium vegetable broth. You can always add more salt if needed, but you cannot take it away.
If you don’t have low sodium on hand, use half broth and half water. Once cooked, taste add more salt, if needed.
Or, if you don’t have any broth on hand, you can make some with this easy bouillon recipe.
Depending on your preferred thickness, use between 6-8 cups of vegetable broth. If you want a thicker soup, stick with six cups. For a thinner soup, go for eight. Remember that the soup will absorb more liquid as it cools.

More favourite soup recipes

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Buon appetito