Easy Lentil Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Bacon

Name: Easy Lentil Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Bacon
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 8 thick-cut bacon slices, cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces; 1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped (1 1⁄2 cups); 2 celery stalks, finely chopped (1⁄2 cup); 3 large garlic cloves, minced (1 1⁄2 Tbsp.); 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped into 3⁄4-inch cubes (3 cups); 1 1/2 cups dried brown lentils; 8 cups lower-sodium chicken broth; 1 (14.5-oz.) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

5.0

(2)

2 Reviews

We spiced up plain-Jane lentil soup with the addition of tender sweet potato chunks, fire-roasted tomatoes, and bacon. This rich, comforting, smoky soup is perfect if you are planning a tailgate event or weekend party because it can be prepared up to three days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. It tastes even better when the flavors have had a chance to marry.

By

Karen Schroeder-Rankin

Published on December 14, 2018

Lentil Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Bacon — Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Active Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

1 hrs

Yield:

6 serves

Ingredients

8 thick-cut bacon slices, cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces
1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped (1 1⁄2 cups)
2 celery stalks, finely chopped (1⁄2 cup)
3 large garlic cloves, minced (1 1⁄2 Tbsp.)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped into 3⁄4-inch cubes (3 cups)
1 1/2 cups dried brown lentils
8 cups lower-sodium chicken broth
1 (14.5-oz.) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

Cook bacon pieces in a large Dutch oven over medium-high, stirring often, until crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels, and set aside. Remove and discard all but 2 Tbsp. drippings from Dutch oven.
Add onion, celery, and garlic to Dutch oven. Cook over medium-high, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add cumin, and cook, stirring constantly, until toasted, about 1 minute. Stir in sweet potato, lentils, broth, tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until lentils are tender, 45 to 50 minutes. Spoon soup evenly into 6 bowls. Top with reserved bacon pieces, and sprinkle with parsley.