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    Home » Dinner » Lentil and Rice Soup

    Lentil and Rice Soup

    Last updated on January 28, 2021. Originally posted on January 11, 2021 By Elaine 14 Comments

    295 shares
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    Lentil and Rice Soup for Pinterest 2
    Lentil and Rice Soup for Pinterest 3
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    This lentil and rice soup recipe makes a thick and chunky soup that is both yummy and easy. The instant pot does most of the work so you can enjoy a comforting and warming meal in no time.

    Two grey bowls filled with the thick soup with some bread and the pan behind them

    I’m a big fan of soup. In fact, I eat it year round and I have since converted dear hubby to love soup almost as much as I do.

    One of the things we love about this soup is that it is thick and hearty. Christopher loves to ladle it over either pasta or a baked potato, which I can appreciate. But to me, it’s a full meal.

    So, I add a piece of artisan bread to my plate and call it the entrée. 🙂

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you click the link and buy something. You can read my disclosure here.

    Helpful tips

    • If you like a soupier soup, add an additional 2 cups of water to the pressure cooker container. Just do not let the level of your liquid pass the maximum line.
    • I used Arborio rice because I like how starchy it is but you can use brown rice if you prefer.
    • Before I start the recipe, I soak the lentils for at least a half hour.
    • In this recipe, I use green lentils but you could use whichever lentil you like.
    • You don’t have to use wine in the recipe but I find it adds a nice flavor. If you do, use a dry wine like Sauvignon blanc.
    • Wash the rice right before you are going to use it. You don’t want the starch to be released.
    • There is no need to sauté the vegetables in the cooker container beforehand. I’ve done it both ways and there isn’t any taste difference. Save yourself some time and calories by doing it this way. The vegetables will cook just fine.
    • The instant pot / pressure cooker takes up to 25 minutes to come to pressure. Note that I do NOT add this time to the recipe prep or cook time since it varies.
    • Once the cooker beeps that it’s done, you can either let the pressure release naturally or you can do a quick release, which is what I usually do.
    • Here’s how to do a quick release: Let your cooker rest for 5 – 10 minutes before putting on an oven mitt. Nudge the knob to the venting position keeping yourself clear of the valve. Be careful, the steam will be hot. Let the steam release and wait for the silver pressure gauge to drop back into the lid before attempting to open the pressure cooker.

    How to make lentil and rice soup

    Pre-step

    Wash and pick over the lentils, then cover them with water. Set aside to soak for at least a half hour.

    Get out your instant pot or pressure cooker.

    Step one

    Get the ingredients – soaked lentils, rice, onion, carrots, celery and a rosemary sprig. (A)

    Step two

    Chop the onion and carrots into chunks. Slice the celery lengthwise in half and then in slices. (B)

    Left - lentils, rice, onion, carrots and celery. Right - glass bowl with chopped onions, carrots, celery, rosemary, diced tomatoes, broth and wine

    Step three

    Add the chopped vegetables in the instant pot container. (C)

    Step four

    Even though you see two sprigs of rosemary, I actually took one out after I took this photo. 🙂

    Add one rosemary sprig, garlic paste and salt. (D)

    Left - overhead view of the vegetables in the pan. Right - overhead view of the pan of veggies with added rosemary, garlic and salt

    Step five

    Add the lentils to the instant pot container along with the rice. (E)

    Step six

    Add chicken broth, a small can of diced tomatoes and wine. (F)

    Left - overhead view of the pan with added rice and lentils. Right - overhead view of added broth, tomatoes and wine

    Step seven

    Seal the instant pot lid, make sure the venting knob is in the sealed position and press the pressure cook button. You want the mode to be normal and the pressure set to high.

    Set the timer to 10 minutes. When the soup is done, see helpful tips above for how to do a quick release.

    Step eight

    Remove the rosemary sprig and discard it.

    You can either serve the soup directly from the instant pot or transfer it to a serving container.

    A big dark grey cast iron pan filled with the instant pot soup with two grey bowls in the background

    I get two bowls and cut a few slices from an artisan loaf we love.

    Two bowls of chunky soup on a green napkin with the pan and plate of bread in the background

    See how thick and delicious the soup looks?

    Overhead view of the bowls with the thick chunky soup with a white plate of dark bread

    I hope you enjoyed this lentil and rice soup recipe.

    Other popular soup recipes

    • Paella
    • Udon noodle
    • Potato leek

    And as always, may all your dishes be delish.

    If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

    Two grey bowls filled with the thick soup - square

    Lentil and Rice Soup

    This thick and hearty soup is so delicious that it will warm you up during the cold season.
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: instant pot soup, lentil and rice soup, lentil soup
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 10 cups
    Calories: 179kcal
    Author: Elaine Benoit

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup green lentils (rinsed and soaked for .5 hour)
    • 1 cup Arborizo rice (rinsed right before you start the soup)
    • 1 large onion (chopped in medium chunks)
    • 3 large carrots (chopped in chunks)
    • 1 stalk celery (cut in half lengthwise and then in slices)
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 sprig rosemary (this is optional)
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 4 cups chicken broth
    • 3 cups water
    • 3 teaspoons garlic paste (or 3 cloves garlic, chopped)
    • 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
    • .5 cup dry white wine

    Instructions

    • Wash and pick over lentils. Cover with water and soak for at least a half hour
    • Chop onion and carrots into chunks and cut celery in half lengthwise and then slice
    • Add onions, carrots and celery into the pressure cooker/instant pot
    • Add drained lentils and rice
    • Add garlic, salt, cumin, rosemary sprig, broth, wine and water
    • Seal pressure cooker and make sure the venting knob is in the sealed position
    • Press the pressure cook button and make sure the mode is normal and the pressure is set to high. Set the timer to 10 minutes. (It will take up to 20 – 25 minutes for the pressure cooker to come to pressure)
    • Once the pressure cooker beeps that it is done, either let the cooker release the pressure naturally which can take over a half hour OR do a quck release (see notes on how)
    • Serve
    • Smile
    • Enjoy

    Equipment

    Instant pot
    See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!

    Notes

    Helpful tips
    • If you like a soupier soup, all you have to do is add an additional 2 cups of water to the pressure cooker container. Just do not let the level pass the maximum line.
    • I used Arborio rice because I like how starchy it is but you can use brown rice if you prefer.
    • I soak the lentils before I start the recipe for at least a half hour.
    • In this recipe, I used green lentils but you could use whichever lentil you like.
    • You don’t have to add wine to the recipe but I find it flavors it nicely. IF you do, use a dry wine like something like Sauvignon blanc
    • Wash the rice right before you are going to use it. You don’t want the starch to be released.
    • There is no need to sauté the vegetables in the cooker container beforehand. I’ve done it both ways and there isn’t any taste difference. So save yourself some calories by doing it this way. The vegetables will cook so don’t worry about it.
    • The instant pot/pressure cooker takes between up to 25 minutes to come to pressure. I do NOT add the time to the recipe as it varies.
    • Once the cooker beeps you can either let it release the pressure naturally or you can do what I normally do by doing a quick release.
    • Here’s how: Let it rest for 5 – 10 minutes before putting on an oven mitt. Nudge the knob to the venting position. Be careful, the steam will be hot. Let it release the steam and wait for the silver pressure gauge to drop in the lid before attempting to open the pressure cooker.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1.5cup | Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 893mg | Potassium: 471mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3682IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 3mg
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    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you,  if you click the link and buy. You can read my disclosure here.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gloria

      January 11, 2021 at 12:30 pm

      I am ALL about comfort food right now. If it fits in a bowl/mug that is all I need. Homemade soup is the best. Make it on the weekend for easy and stress-free meals all week long. Not to mention hearty and healthy too.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        January 11, 2021 at 12:35 pm

        I agree Gloria. I’m all about comfort food too. Thanks so much for your comment.

        Reply
    2. Chef Dennis

      January 12, 2021 at 4:52 am

      Hmm perfect timing! I am looking for a new soup recipe for my wife and this Lentil soup is delicious!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        January 12, 2021 at 1:00 pm

        Thanks so much Dennis! I’m glad you and your wife enjoyed it. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Jo

      January 13, 2021 at 4:46 am

      This is my kind of soup. I love rice and I eat it every day. On of the better way to eat rice is with lentils in soup form. Looks so comforting, delicious and satisfying!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        January 14, 2021 at 10:22 am

        Thank you Jo. I appreciate it. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Kathryn Donangelo

      January 14, 2021 at 11:11 am

      I’ve been craving soup and this hit the spot! Love how it’s vegetarian and so easy and delicious! Love the rice and lentil combo as well 🙂 thank you!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        January 15, 2021 at 4:06 pm

        Yay. I’m so glad. Thanks for telling me Kathryn!

        Reply
    5. Veronika

      January 17, 2021 at 11:21 am

      This is such a comforting meal for cold days like today. Let me check if I have all the needed ingredients, want to make this delicious soup tonight!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        January 17, 2021 at 2:44 pm

        Thanks Veronika! It’s my hubby’s favorite.

        Reply
    6. Beth

      January 17, 2021 at 12:17 pm

      I’m always looking for a recipe in which both the rice and legumes come out done in the instant pot. This one did, and I so appreciated the rinsing and pre-soaking tips. I couldn’t believe the vegetables would be as good without sautéing first but they were, thanks.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        January 17, 2021 at 2:46 pm

        I’m so glad to hear that. I hardly ever sauté veggies in the IP any more. I do sear meat but found there isn’t a taste difference – at least for me. Thank you for your comment.

        Reply
    7. Kate

      January 17, 2021 at 4:39 pm

      Many thanks for sharing this Instant Pot recipe. I am always looking for new ideas as I love my Instant Pot. This will be a nutricious and healthy meal.

      Reply
    8. Heidy McCallum

      January 17, 2021 at 8:55 pm

      My husband isn’t big on lentils but let me tell you—-I Love.Love.Love. Them!!! I noticed this recipe on Pinterest and headed to the market to get everything I needed for your lentil and rice soup recipe—I’m going to make up containers for work to have for lunch, and maybe I might share a little with my co-workers. MAYBE—hee hee

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Elaine! I'm so glad you stopped by. Here you will find lots of tasty cocktails, comforting food and inspiration for your next meal. I LOVE chocolate, almost all foods, blogging, photography and spending time with my hubby!

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    295 shares