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    My Colombian Recipes » Recipes » Main Dishes » Sopa De Lentejas (colombian-style Lentil Soup)

    Sopa de Lentejas (Colombian-Style Lentil soup)

    May 3, 2023 · Modified: May 3, 2023 by Erica Dinho · 51 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Colombian-Style Lentil Soup is filling, comforting and full of flavor. I like to serve it with with white rice and avocado on the side.

    Sopa de Lentejas ColombianaPin

    This Colombian Style Lentil Soup is a standard in a lot of Colombian kitchens, the Colombian chorizo sausage gives the soup extra flavor. But if you are looking for a healthier lentil soup recipe just omit the chorizo.

    This is a very substantial soup that would make a comforting meal-in-a-bowl served with avocado and white rice. This lentil soup recipe is very easy to make, a wonderful weeknight meal.

    Lentil Soup RecipePin

    What You'll Need to Make this Recipe

    This soup is made with lentils, potatoes, vegetables, spices, herbs and Colombian chorizo, but you can omit it if you don't like it or find it and add beef, bacon or pork instead.

    Lentil Soup IngredientsPin

    Cooking Tips

    Also if you want to make this recipe with a different kind of chorizo. Try kielbasa, Mexican chorizo or Italian sausage, they will work here too (hot or mild).

    I also added a cream mixture recipe below in case you want to drizzled it on top of your lentil soup before serving, but that is optional and not the traditional way to serve this soup in Colombia.

    To store this lentil soup, place leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to freeze it, store soup in an container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Be sure the container is freezer friendly. When you are ready to use it thaw overnight in the fridge or before reheating.

    To reheat the soup, place the soup in a pot on the stove over medium-low heat until warm or reheat it the microwave.

    Receta de Sopa de LentejasPin

    If you love lentils recipes like I do, here are some of my favorites:

    Coconut Rice with Lentils

    Lentils Beef Soup

    Lentils and Quinoa Soup

    Lentil Chicken Soup

    Sopa de Lentejas (Lentil Soup) |mycolombianrecipes.comPin

    Lentils Soup Recipe

    Erica Dinho
    5 from 37 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Colombian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 495 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
    • 1 cup chorizo sliced
    • ½ cup chopped onion
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • ½ cup chopped scallions
    • ½ cup chopped tomatoes
    • ¼ teaspoon cumin
    • 5 cups water
    • 1 ½ cup dried lentils
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • ½ cup grated carrots
    • ½ cup potato cut into bite-sized pieces

    Cilantro Cream

    • ½ teaspoon cumin powder
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

    Instructions
     

    • Cook the chorizo in the oil in a large pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chorizo to a plate lined with paper towel.
    • Add the carrots, onion, garlic, tomato and scallions to the pot, season with salt and pepper. Cook stirring occasionally about 12 minutes. Stir in the cumin and cook 1 more minute.
    • Add the lentils and water, bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to medium low, cover and cook until the lentils become tender but not mushy about 45 minutes.
    • Add chorizo and potatoes, cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the potatoes are fully cooked and fork tender, thin with water if necessary. Ladle into soup bowls and top with cream if using and serve immediately.

    Cilantro cream

    • If you are adding cream to the lentil soup. Mix all the ingredients for the cream and set aside. Drizzle the soup with it before serving.

    Notes

    *To store this lentil soup, place leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to freeze it, store soup in an container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Be sure the container is freezer friendly. When you are ready to use it thaw overnight in the fridge or before reheating.
    *To reheat the soup, place the soup in a pot on the stove over medium-low heat until warm or reheat it the microwave.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 495kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 718mgPotassium: 1009mgFiber: 24gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 3427IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 106mgIron: 7mg
    Keyword colombian soup, easy lentil soup, lentil soup, lentil soup recipe, lentils recipe
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @mycolombianrecipes and tag #mycolombianrecipes!

    More Soups Recipes

    Avocado GazpachoCaldo Basico De Pollo (Colombian-Style Chicken Stock)Cilantro-Lime Rice And Chicken SoupCaldo De Pollo Con Papa (Chicken And Potatoes Broth)Sancocho Costeño (Atlantic Coast Sancocho)
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    About Erica Dinho

    My name is Erica and I was born and raised in Colombia and now live in the northeastern United States with my husband and family. This blog was inspired by my grandmother, Mamita, who was an amazing traditional Colombian cook.

    Author Page →

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. 5 Star Foodie

      March 29, 2009 at 8:26 am

      5 stars
      I love chorizo sausage and would really love this soup - it sounds excellent!

      Reply
      • Emmy Ruiz

        June 11, 2023 at 8:58 pm

        I am American but my husband Colombian who frequently misses the taste of home. Youre recipes help me give him that. I made this tonight and was delicious and hit the spot!!

        Reply
    2. bakergirlcreations

      March 30, 2009 at 11:06 pm

      5 stars
      Love chorizo and have been looking for a new lentil soup to try! Sounds good.

      Reply
    3. Kimberly

      September 26, 2009 at 9:03 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you! This soup was PERFECT! My husband really enjoyed it.

      Reply
      • Erica

        September 27, 2009 at 7:25 am

        5 stars
        Hi Kimberly,
        Thank you very much for your feedback 🙂

        Reply
    4. Bruce

      February 28, 2010 at 12:27 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! I made this for my Colombian wife while she was at work on a cold winter day. When she arrived home and tasted this soup, she was in heaven. Thank you Kimberly.

      Reply
    5. Lori

      March 09, 2010 at 9:54 am

      5 stars
      I made this soup for my family and we loved it. I followed all the steps and it was perfect.

      Reply
      • Laura Gomez

        December 30, 2023 at 2:40 pm

        Hi if I want to make it in the crockpot for how long should I do it ?

        Reply
    6. PJ

      May 17, 2010 at 6:03 pm

      5 stars
      This soup is filling my house with a lovely scent! I make a soup to share with the working parents who come to my knitting group every Monday, so I am always on the lookout for a new twist on an old favorite. This is delicious with or without the cilantro cream. Thank you for putting Colombian recipes within reach and helping us make them taste authentic.

      You take me back to my college roommate's mother's house in Bogota. Arepas for breakfast, soups for lunch, onces and other treats fill my memories. Now I can make them for my family and take them with me down memory lane. Muchas Gracias!

      Reply
      • Marika

        April 19, 2022 at 11:08 am

        I just came across your recipe and am eager to try it. How much cumin is in the soup? It says when to stir it in, but it's not in the list of ingredients. Thanx

        Reply
        • Erica Dinho

          April 21, 2022 at 3:57 pm

          1/4 teaspoon

          Reply
    7. Denise Williams

      June 13, 2010 at 7:55 am

      5 stars
      Thanks so much Erica for this recipe. My daughter-in-law is Colombian and she makes this for us all the time and we love the dish. I'll be able to surprise her with it for a change. She also uses a ham hock and cooks it with soaked lentils for an hour and a half before adding the other ingredients.
      It's always absolutely delicious.

      Reply
      • Martin Osorio

        January 18, 2022 at 9:12 pm

        5 stars
        I'm Colombian-American and THIS IS IT!
        I made this with a few modifications. First and most importantly, I used 4 cups beef broth, 2 cups water, and a 1/2 teaspoon of hondashi granules instead of the 5 cups water the recipe calls for. I also used bratwurst since Colombian chorizo is hard to find, and Mexican chorizo is not correct for this. I added a little extra carrot, and put the potato in at the beginning (therefore skipping the additional 20 minutes). Must serve with rice, avocado, and cilantro! (I skipped the cream entirely.)

        Reply
        • Adriana Gutierrez

          January 19, 2022 at 2:29 pm

          I agree this is so 100% Colombian flavor. When I lived in Atlanta I could buy excellent Colombian chorizos from at our mega ethic Buford Highway Farmers Market. By coincidence today I bought the ingredients to make a batch myself!

          Reply
    8. Luis

      September 28, 2011 at 11:48 pm

      5 stars
      Add couple spoon of white plane flour before coocking. It gives it more texture. You will love it

      Reply
      • Adriana Gutierrez

        January 19, 2022 at 2:30 pm

        Hungry Jack plain Instant mashed potatoes is my preferred thickening agent. It is my secret ingredient in Ajiaco too.

        Reply
    9. Jorge

      December 06, 2011 at 9:41 am

      5 stars
      Hi, Is this the typical "lentejas Colombianas" or just lentil soup? Looking to make the typical "Colombian lentejas". Thx!

      Reply
    10. Traci

      May 14, 2012 at 7:55 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for sharing! I served mine with sliced avocado. The recipe is one of the best I've had!

      Reply
    11. Lynette

      June 20, 2013 at 2:35 pm

      5 stars
      Do you have to soak the lentils ahead? If so for how long and any tips?

      Reply
      • Erica Dinho

        June 20, 2013 at 3:34 pm

        5 stars
        You don't have to soak the lentils. Wash and rinse very good!

        Reply
        • Lynette

          June 20, 2013 at 4:00 pm

          5 stars
          Thx! So excited to make then for the first time. My abuelita use to make this all the time 🙂 this meal will bring back some amazing memories.

          Reply
      • Adriana Gutierrez

        October 27, 2021 at 6:11 pm

        No need to soak lentils they cook very quickly, like in 20 minutes.

        Reply
      • Martin Osorio

        January 18, 2022 at 9:13 pm

        No need to soak the lentils.

        Reply
      • Adriana Gutierrez

        January 19, 2022 at 2:30 pm

        No soakimg required, they cook in 20 minutes.

        Reply
    12. Larissa

      August 20, 2013 at 7:18 pm

      5 stars
      I cooked this for dinner tonigh was super
      Gracias

      Reply
    13. Anna

      December 11, 2013 at 9:40 pm

      5 stars
      Is it cured chorizo or fresh chorizo

      Reply
      • Mike

        October 26, 2021 at 6:06 pm

        5 stars
        I have used cured chorizo sliced and browned but I have also cut the casing and removed the stuff on the inside, browned that and added it in. My family liked both ways but seemed to prefer the second method.

        Reply
      • Martin Osorio

        January 18, 2022 at 9:14 pm

        You can't really get Colombian chorizo in the US, and both Mexican and Spanish chorizo is very wrong here.
        For something easy to get, try bratwurst.

        Reply
        • Adriana Gutierrez

          January 19, 2022 at 2:31 pm

          In Atlanta, Miami and Queens you can get it frozen.

          Reply
    14. Cristina

      January 16, 2014 at 1:51 am

      5 stars
      I made this last night and it was THE best. My son (who is 7) is very picky and devoured this dish. Thank you!!!

      Reply
    15. Angela

      January 28, 2014 at 1:47 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for my Colombian husband, he took a bite, and told me it was just like what his mother makes. Perfect!

      Reply
    16. Nohora

      March 01, 2015 at 6:45 am

      5 stars
      After my son sent me the My Colombian Recipes web, I haven't stop
      practicing your recipes.., your recipes are the closest as the way mom taught me, is like I have her with me....Thanks

      Reply
    17. Karina

      November 19, 2015 at 5:42 pm

      5 stars
      I love your recipes. I'm half Colombian myself and this recipie I very similar to my moms. I want to know if adding sweet potato rather than white potato and if would change the taste?

      Reply
      • Erica Dinho

        November 20, 2015 at 10:11 am

        5 stars
        Yes!

        Reply
        • Charlene

          May 16, 2021 at 2:19 am

          5 stars
          When do you add the tomatoes?

          Reply
    18. Adriana Gutiérrez

      March 05, 2016 at 4:05 am

      5 stars
      This was another winning recipe, Erika. I doubled the amount of cumin based on personal preference, otherwise it was perfect!

      Reply
    19. Laura

      March 24, 2016 at 12:02 am

      5 stars
      This soup was delish, my husband loved it also and he loves his hometown recipe but this one has been bump to the top of our list! Thank you for a wonderful recipe!

      Reply
    20. Carrie

      March 28, 2016 at 12:29 pm

      5 stars
      Could I use chicken broth instead of water? Would this be good?

      Reply
      • Erica Dinho

        March 31, 2016 at 7:59 pm

        5 stars
        Yes.

        Reply
      • Martin Osorio

        January 18, 2022 at 9:16 pm

        Yes, beef broth is even better.

        Reply
    21. Adriana Gutiérrez

      March 31, 2016 at 9:25 pm

      5 stars
      I have made this recipe with both Colombian chorizo and grilled Italian sausage. If at all possible go out of your way to locate Colombian sausage as the recipe is so much better with it. If you can't find Colombian chorizo, a good second choice would be dried Spanish sausage.

      (In Atlanta we have a choice of several brands of Colombian sausage, and morcilla, in the freezer section of the Buford Highway Farmer's Market).

      Reply
      • Daniela

        January 08, 2018 at 8:00 pm

        5 stars
        I donr have easy access to Colombian sausage, I do it with pork, turkey and beef polska kielbasa. Enjoy!

        Reply
      • Amanda

        August 02, 2023 at 9:08 pm

        5 stars
        This is me and my boyfriends favorite sick / cold day soup. We use steak and it’s to die for!

        Reply
    22. Ally

      February 15, 2017 at 1:00 pm

      5 stars
      Everything I've made from the recepies on here has tasted like back home. I loved this lentil soup, super tasty and filling.

      Reply
    23. Steff

      April 13, 2017 at 10:37 pm

      5 stars
      If I leave out the chorizo, should I add any extra flavoring to my soup? Perhaps some Maggi?

      Reply
    24. Ramiro

      April 30, 2018 at 10:36 am

      5 stars
      Amo tus recetas colombianas. Graciasss

      Reply
    25. Eric

      May 16, 2021 at 9:14 pm

      5 stars
      Wonderful recipe, having cooked lentils in spain, i would have never thought to toast the vegetables before making the broth with the lentils. Only thing is I would suggest to add the patatos earlier so they break down and make the broth thicker.

      Reply
    26. Missy

      December 15, 2021 at 1:45 pm

      5 stars
      Hi! How much cumin is put in the soup? I don’t see it in the directions only for the cilantro cream. Thank you.

      Reply
    27. Carla

      January 16, 2022 at 2:13 am

      Wow! This sounds absolutely scrumptious! Was just surfing the net looking at stuff about different Goya seasonings and came across your site. Glad I decided to visit. I love lentil soup but am tired of the "same 'ol, same 'ol ones I've been making for years. I can't wait to try yours. Thank you so much for sharing this. Stay safe and God bless.

      Reply
    28. llentab

      February 17, 2022 at 11:21 am

      Eres un grandisimo redactor... Muchas gracias, Un saludo

      Reply
    29. Bob Havlu

      September 21, 2022 at 11:07 am

      5 stars
      My wife's family is Colombian (Cali & Bogota). For the last 30 years have been eating this with white rice on a regular basis. I have picked up the cooking and love making the recipes on this site as they really do mimic the Colombian cooking we have enjoyed for years. Doing most of the cooking, I found that pressure cooking a chuck roast and using the juice from the meat in this recipe adds a ton of flavor. I use the meat then to make empanadas and taquitos - this makes three days worth of delicious food!

      Reply

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    Hola and welcome to My Colombian Recipes. My name is Erica and I was born and raised in Colombia and now live in the northeastern United States with my husband and family. This blog was inspired by my grandmother, Mamita, who was an amazing traditional Colombian cook.

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