Sopa de Lentejas (Mexican Lentil Soup) Mamá Maggie's Kitchen

Sopa de Lentejas, or Mexican Lentil Soup, a warm taste of home. Comforting and cozy deliciousness. Hope you enjoy!

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A white bowl of Sopa de Lentejas (Mexican Lentil Soup) topped with cilantro.

Mexican Lentil Soup, or Sopa de Lentejas, is a warm and comforting dish that’s easy, filling, and full of amazing flavors.

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Made with lentils, vegetables, and a light tomato broth, this soup is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends at home.

Best of all, it’s easy to customize with toppings or extra vegetables to make it your own.

Table of Contents

1 👩🏼‍🍳 Instructions
2 Types of Lentils
3 🥣 Variations
4 🙋🏻‍♀️ Frequently Asked Questions
5 🍲 More Mexican Soup Recipes
6 😋 Hungry for More?
7 Mexican Lentil Soup, or Sopa de Lentejas

👩🏼‍🍳 Instructions

A collage showing how to make lentil soup in a pot.

Heat olive oil in a large pot on medium-high heat.
Sauté the carrots for 2 minutes.
Add white onion. Stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
Then add the rinsed lentils and add to the pot and plenty of cold water.

This Mexican lentils recipe is a very adaptable recipe using staple, simple ingredients. To add more flavor and depth, use chicken broth, vegetable broth, or bouillon cubes instead of water.

Types of Lentils

You can substitute brown lentils for green lentils. Both hold their shape well and are similar in taste. Red lentils tend to melt easily, and if you want a smoother lentejas soup, this variety works well and great for kids.

A collage showing the adding of more ingredients to make the Mexican lentil soup.

Add the garlic cloves, salt, and bay leaf to the soup pot.
Reduce to medium heat and boil for 25 minutes.

Please note that this lentejas recipe is completely vegan. Change it up and make it your own.

🥣 Variations

Some people add cloves, cinnamon, ground cumin, or fresh cilantro to the soup. Many people like to add Mexican chorizo or crispy bacon, top it with dashes of hot sauce, or add a squeeze lime juice. If you want veggies, try calabacitas or Italian zucchini, celery, green beans, potatoes, or peas. For a little spice, add 1 diced jalapeno pepper.

A pot of lentil cooking with tomato sauce.

Add the tomato sauce.
Simmer 10 minutes.

The tomato sauce will thicken the soup slightly and some of the liquid will have evaporated. For a really thick soup, add tomato paste and cook for 10 minutes. Or add chicken broth to make it more liquid-y.

🙋🏻‍♀️ Frequently Asked Questions

Do lentils need to be soaked?

No. Lentils don’t need to soaked, but if you soak them, it reduces the cooking time in half.

How Long Does It Last?

In the fridge, the soup lasts 3-4 days in a airtight container.
In the freezer, it can last up to 6 months in a sealable plastic bag.

How do I reheat the soup?

Place leftovers in a microwave-safe bowl, cover, and reheat for 2-2 ½ minutes on high. Or place in a pot and cook on medium for 3-4 minutes.

A soup holding the lentil soup over the bowl of soup.

🍲 More Mexican Soup Recipes

Mexican Lentil Soup, or Sopa de Lentejas, is simple comfort food that’s nourishing, flavorful, and easy to make any day of the week. It’s one of those recipes that tastes even better the next day and always hits the spot. Serve a bowl of this soup with warm tortillas or crusty bread for a cozy and satisfying meal.