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    Home » By Meal » Lunch & Dinner

    Published: December 15, 2021

    Turkey Lentil Soup

    5 from 14 votes
    Jump to Recipe Pin Print
    easy turkey lentil soup
    ground turkey lentil soup
    healthy turkey lentil soup
    Turkey lentil soup

    Cozy up with a bowl of this flavorful and hearty turkey lentil soup. It’s gluten free and made in one pot with green or brown lentils, ground turkey, carrots, and diced tomatoes—the perfect lunch and dinner recipe.

    ground turkey lentil soup in a bowl with a spoon

    Cozy ground turkey lentil soup

    A lot of you love my creamy tomato soup and chickpea soup, so I can’t wait to hear what you think about this turkey lentil soup. In all honesty, it’s my new personal favorite. My family requests that I make this at least once a week now!

    I am obsessed with this turkey lentil soup! It is super flavorful, hearty, and brothy. The lentils are stewed to perfection, the turkey is tender, and the broth is packed with spices and flavor. It smells and tastes amazing.

    One of the best things about this easy and protein-packed soup is that it’s made in one pot, and any level cook can make it. So forget about a huge cooking ordeal; clean-up is a breeze.

    If you haven’t already tried this soup, I can’t recommend it enough!

    Are lentils gluten free?

    Yes, lentils are naturally gluten free. In fact, they are a great low-fat source of protein. If you are following a gluten-free diet, this turkey lentil soup is a great recipe option.

    how to make turkey lentil soup in one pot

    Ingredients

    Turkey lentil soup is made with fresh and simple ingredients. From spinach to lean ground turkey, this soup makes for the perfect healthy lunch, dinner, and meal prep. Here is a list of ingredients:

    • Ground Turkey: I love cooking with ground turkey. When spiced and cooked correctly, it is super flavorful, tender, and a great source of lean protein. You can use 94% lean or 99% lean for this recipe.
    • Olive Oil: This helps saute the onion and garlic.
    • Yellow Onion: 1 yellow onion adds a sweet note and great depth of flavor.
    • Carrots: Not only for extra health benefits but also for flavor and texture!
    • Garlic: Adds the best flavor to this turkey lentil soup.
    • Spices: To make this soup super flavorful, we blend cumin, curry powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
    • Diced Tomatoes: For a rich and deep flavor. You’ll need one large 28-ounce can.
    • Vegetable Broth: Add in 5 cups of low sodium vegetable broth for a deep and hearty flavor.
    • Lentils: The start ingredient! You can use brown or green lentils.
    • Spinach: An ingredient you can’t taste, but it’s a great way to sneak in your greens.

    Kitchen tools need

    Since this soup recipe is made in one pot, clean-up is very easy. Here is a list so you are prepared and ready to cook!

    • Large Pot or Durch Oven
    • Wooden Spoon
    • Measuring Tools: 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 cup.
    ingredients in turkey lentil soup

    How to make turkey lentil soup

    This one-pot ground turkey and lentil soup is so easy to make! It is cozy, flavorful, and packed with protein. Here are step-by-step instructions:

    Step 1: First, add olive oil to a large Dutch oven or pot and heat over medium.

    Step 2: Add in chopped onion and carrots and cook for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent. Then, add in minced garlic, stir and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

    Step 3: Push the onions and carrots to the sides of the pot and add the ground turkey to the middle. Cook for 3 – 4 minutes, breaking turkey up with a stirring utensil as it cooks and mixing in the onions and carrots. Add in cumin, curry powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper and cook for additional 3 minutes.

    Step 4: Next, pour in the diced tomatoes, stir and cook for 1 – 2 minutes. Then, add in the vegetable broth and water. Increase the heat and bring the soup to a boil, then add in rinsed lentils, stir and reduce heat, so the soup is at a simmer.

    Step 5: Partially cover the pot with a lid and allow soup to simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and cooked. Stir occasionally.

    Step 6: With 5 minutes left, add in the baby spinach and stir, so it wilts. Carefully taste the soup and adjust seasonings to your liking.

    Serve warm and enjoy!

    lentil soup with ground turkey

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use ground chicken?

    Yes, you can substitute the ground turkey for ground chicken if needed.

    Do I need to cook the lentils before adding to soup?

    No. The lentils actually cook as the soup simmers.

    Can I double the recipe?

    Yes, either make sure to use an extra-large pot or two medium ones side-by-side on the stove.

    Can I make this soup vegan?

    Yes, to make this lentil soup vegan and vegetarian, remove the turkey.

    Can I make adhead of time?

    Absolutely, this soup is excellent for meal prep or large family dinners. You can make the soup a day in advance to serve at a party, or you can save leftovers for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

    How to reheat turkey lentil soup?

    You can reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stove. To reheat in the microwave, add leftover soup to a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 1 – 3 minutes, depending on how powerful your microwave is. To reheat on the stove, add leftover soup to a pot and heat on low until warm; this should take 5 – 8 minutes, and you should stir every minute or so.

    bowl of turkey lentil soup

    Try these soup recipes next!

    • Greek Chickpea Soup
    • 30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup
    • Creamy Tomato Soup

    Did you make this recipe?

    If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!

    Turkey Lentil Soup

    Turkey Lentil Soup

    Cozy up with a bowl of this flavorful and hearty turkey lentil soup. It’s gluten free and made in one pot with green or brown lentils, ground turkey, carrots, and diced tomatoes. The perfect lunch and dinner recipe. 
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Serving 4 servings

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 lb ground turkey
    • 1 Tbsp olive oil
    • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
    • 2 – 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into coins
    • 4 garlic cloves, minced
    • 3 tsp ground cumin
    • 1.5 tsp curry powder
    • 1 tsp onion powder
    • 1 tsp salt, more to taste
    • 1/2 tsp black pepper, more to taste
    • 1 large can, 28 ounces diced tomatoes
    • 5 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup uncooked brown or green lentils, rinsed
    • 2 – 3 handfuls of baby spinach

    Instructions

    • Add olive oil to a large Dutch oven or pot and heat over medium.
    • Add in chopped onion and carrots and cook for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent.
    • Add in minced garlic, stir and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
    • Push the onions and carrots to the sides of the pot and add the ground turkey to the middle. Cook for 3 – 4 minutes, breaking turkey up with a stirring utensil as it cooks and mixing in the onions and carrots.
    • Add in cumin, curry powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper and cook for additional 3 minutes.
    • Pour in the diced tomatoes, stir and cook for 1 – 2 minutes.
    • Pour in vegetable broth and water. Increase the heat and bring the soup to a boil, then add in rinsed lentils, stir and reduce heat so the soup is at a simmer. 
    • Partially cover the pot with a lid and allow soup to simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and cooked. Stir occasionally.
    • With 5 minutes left, add in the baby spinach and stir so it wilts. Carefully taste the soup and adjust seasonings to your liking.
    • Serve warm and enjoy! 

    Notes

    Yellow Onion: Can substitute with white onion or sweet onion.
    Ground Turkey: I recommend 94% lean. Can substitute with ground chicken.
    Diced Tomatoes: Can substitute with crushed tomatoes.
    Spinach: Can substitute with chopped kale.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 442kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 930mg | Potassium: 1622mg | Fiber: 22g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 16750IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 8mg
    Course Lunch & Dinner
    Cuisine American, Healthy
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Please leave a comment and star rating on this post and tag @HealthfulBlondie on Instagram & hashtag it #healthfulblondie!

    I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. In full disclosure, by purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!

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    Recipe Rating




    Comments

    1. Hannah says

      December 23, 2021 at 11:28 am

      5 stars
      Really good. Loved that is was made in one pot. I saved extras for dinner the next day and it was still just as good!

      Reply
    2. Joanne Nozeika says

      January 17, 2022 at 4:56 pm

      Can you use red lentils in place of green or brown?

      Reply
      • Tati Chermayeff says

        January 17, 2022 at 6:34 pm

        Hi! Yes you can however they will have a softer texture. Follow the cook time on the package and simmer the soup the same amount of time as the cook time.

        Reply
    3. Aida says

      February 03, 2022 at 9:16 am

      5 stars
      Really good and really cozy. My family loved this recipe.

      Reply
    4. Ilse says

      February 27, 2022 at 4:23 pm

      5 stars
      I appreciate the detailed step by step process! So yummy for a cold day!

      Reply
    5. Kim Murphy says

      February 27, 2022 at 6:14 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious made entire family loved this recipe!!

      Reply
    6. Julia says

      May 16, 2022 at 10:51 pm

      5 stars
      Second time making this, and it is just as good as the first! I anticipate making it many more times… perfect for a chilly, rainy day or to throw in the freezer for easy defrosting. Such great flavors, yum!

      Reply
    7. Kim says

      August 15, 2022 at 2:28 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a yummy soup! I doubled and froze some and was even great after freezing and thawing

      Reply
    8. Julie says

      December 20, 2022 at 3:36 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious!

      Reply
    9. Katie says

      January 02, 2023 at 8:53 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for this easy, yummy and filling recipe! My husband is not a soup or stew guy, but he ate four bowls!
      Hoping to make this again soon.

      Reply
    10. Ann says

      January 21, 2023 at 2:42 pm

      5 stars
      Very tasty! I reduced the cumin to 1 teaspoon though. A little goes a long way.

      Added celery & used fresh tomatoes, tomato sauce & skipped the veggie broth.

      Very nice on a cold day!

      Reply
    11. Crys says

      January 25, 2023 at 4:57 pm

      5 stars
      Super easy and delicious! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Tati Chermayeff says

        January 26, 2023 at 12:10 pm

        5 stars
        Hi Crys, so happy to hear that! Thank you for leaving a review 🙂

        Reply

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    Tati, founder and creator of Healthful Blondie

    I’m Tati, a foodie, recipe developer, and blogger based in Austin, Texas. I started Healthful Blondie in 2020 to celebrate life, health, and my passion for cooking and baking. If you are in search of “lightened-up,” healthier versions of classics, you are in the right spot! My recipes are easy to follow, simple, and super tasty.

    More about me →

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