Here’s a different beef mince recipe idea for you – a hearty Beef & Lentil Soup with vegetables! Adapted from my Best Ever Lentil Soup with the addition of ground beef and Moroccan-inspired spicing for extra tastiness, lentil soups can be so boring … but not this one!
Healthy, hearty, economical and a complete dinner made in one pot. Yessss…..
New beef mince recipe idea: Beef & Lentil Soup!
This is a hearty lentil soup loaded up with lots of vegetables and the convenience of ground beef for the meat! Why don’t we use beef mince in soup more often? It’s so handy and economical, it soaks up flavour and makes this one-pot hearty meal a very low-effort endeavour.
My sort of Wednesday night dinner!
I like to brown the beef using spices to incorporate flavour into it which then seeps into the soup broth. So this is a whole lot tastier than the usual lentil soups that have a bad reputation for being bland and boring……😇
I like to add a sprinkling of Moroccan flavours in this to add interest. But there’s so many possibilities using whatever you’ve got! Curry, Greek, Italian, Mexican… I’ve suggested some in the recipe notes!
What goes in Beef & Lentil Soup
Here’s what you need to make this:
Beef – Ground beef / beef mince. Same thing, different name, depending on where you are in the world! Use lean beef if you prefer, though the fattier it is, the better beef flavour you will get (because fat is actually where most of the flavour is with any meat). Substitute with any other ground meat – pork, chicken, turkey, even lamb. All you will need to do is adjust the spice quantities a bit – the whiter the meat, the more spice you will need (because the meat flavour is more neutral in mince form because the meat doesn’t brown like when searing, for example, a whole chicken breast);
Lentils – Dried lentils works really well here because you get a bit of extra flavour and thickening of the broth. But canned will work just fine too. Substitute: Chickpeas or beans!
You can use canned lentils if you want, but dried lentils taste better plus they thicken the soup broth a bit.
Onion & garlic – Essential and standard flavour bases for the soup;
Moroccan spices – This is where you can add any flavour you want! And it’s really easy to figure out how much to use. Start conservatively, add it bit by bit and taste, and keep adding as needed until it tastes right to you. I kept the base recipe simple by using store bought Moroccan spice mix as my main flavour, then spruced it up with a bit of extra spices. See recipe notes for a list of suggestions – go global!
Canned crushed tomato – or tomato passata, what’s called tomato sauce in the US (it’s tomato passata + a touch of flavour) or even my tomato paste substitute for canned tomato, click here for the recipe;
Beef stock/broth – For big hearty beef flavour. However vegetable or chicken stock/broth will work a treat here. For soups, I do recommend buying stock in liquid form rather than using cubes or powder because the flavour is cleaner and more natural. If you only have bouillon cubes or powder, that will work fine but sauté the onion, celery and carrots slowly for longer. This will form a terrific soffrito flavour base to compensate. Directions are in the recipe;
Vegetables! Use 6 – 8 cups of anything you want that cooks well in soup broth! I’ve included an extensive list in the recipe notes. I typically firstly add vegetables that can hold up to a 25-minute simmer at the beginning (eg. carrots, celery), then vegetables I want to stay greener and/or not turn into mush towards the end (eg. beans, zucchini). It also depends how big you cut them – I’ve diced them so you get a bit of everything in each spoonful.
How to make Beef Lentil Soup
And here’s how to make it:
Mix the spices in a bowl first – We’re going to use some to brown the beef, and some to flavour the soup broth;
Cook onion, beef – Sauté the onion and garlic (essential flavour base!) then brown the beef, breaking it up as you go (flat edge wooden spatula makes short work of this);
Brown beef with spices – Add some of the spices and cook it with the beef. Here we add a ton of extra flavour into this soup, so cook off those spices well! Have a nibble and make sure it’s tasty, then tweak as needed. Some of the flavour will seep into the soup, but most stays on the beef;
Add everything else – Add the vegetables that can sustain a 25 minute simmer along with all the broth ingredients (tomato, beef stock, water, remaining spices) and give it big stir;
Simmer for 25 – 30 minutes for the lentils to soften and tomato to break down so it thickens the sauce. TIP: Older dried lentils take longer to cook, so really old ones might take 35 minutes. Add the faster-cooking vegetables partway through, and based on how long they take to cook. I added the diced zucchini and green beans after 15 minutes – so they cooked for 10 minutes. This was more than sufficient to cook them through until soft and to soak up broth flavour; and
Serve! Because I went for a Moroccan flavour for the base recipe, I finished with a dollop of yogurt and some fresh coriander. I will pop a list of suggested finishes for other spice mix combinations in the recipe card.
The soup broth is thickened by the starch from the lentils and the crushed tomatoes that are simmered so they break down.
Why I love this Beef & Lentil Soup
This is a soup that ticks a lot of boxes for me:
✔️ Quick to make using any vegetables I have (great fridge clean-out dish!) and no chopping meat;
✔️ You can give it kapow! flavours by really dialling up the spices as much as you like. It’s easy to figure: Just add and taste, add and taste! As written it is just nicely spiced to give it a bit of interest, but intentionally not in-your-face spicing (I save my real spice bombing for curries);
✔️ It’s very economical and versatile. Change up the spices to whatever you’re feeling like today!
✔️ Freezes 100% perfectly and keeps for days in the fridge; and
✔️ It’s a complete, healthy meal in one pot: Meat, starch and lots of vegetables. No need to make a separate side!
Hope you enjoy! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Beef & Lentil Soup with vegetables
Ingredients
My Moroccan Spice Mix (or change it up! Note 1):
- 2 1/2 tbsp Moroccan spice mix (store-bought) , any brand is fine, I used this one
- 1 tsp allspice (mixed spice will work too)
- 2 tsp cumin powder
- 2 tsp paprika
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt (Note 2)
Soup:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves , finely chopped
- 1 onion , finely chopped (brown, white, or yellow)
- 500g / 1lb beef mince (ground beef) (I use lean)
- 1 1/4 cups dried lentils (or 2 cans, drained, Note 3)
- 2 carrots *, cut into 1cm / 1/3” dice
- 2 celery stalks *, chopped into 1cm / 1/3”pieces
- 2 zucchinis *(small, or 1 large), cut into 1cm / 1/3” dice
- 100g / 4 oz green beans *, trimmed, cut into 1.5cm / 1/2” pieces
- 800g / 28 oz crushed canned tomato
- 4 cups / 1 litre beef stock , low sodium (Note 4)
- 3 cups water
Serving:
- Yogurt (plain or Greek)
- 1/4 cup Coriander/cilantro leaves, or sliced green onions
Instructions
- Mix spices in a small bowl.
- Saute onion & garlic: Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Cook onion and garlic for 3 minutes until golden on the edges.
- Brown & spice beef: Turn heat up to high, add beef and cook until it's no longer red, breaking it up as you go. Add 2 tablespoons of the Spice Mix and cook it for a further 2 minutes – it will smell so good!
- Carrot & celery: Add carrot and celery, then stir for 1 minute. (If using your own veg mix, add the veg in this step that will hold up to full 25 min simmer time)
- Make broth: Add water, beef stock, canned tomato, lentils and remaining Spice Mix too. Give it a stir, bring to simmer, then place lid on and reduce to medium low so it's simmering gently. Lentils will take 25 – 30 minutes to cook until soft. Very old lentils can take 5 – 10 minutes longer.
- Simmer 15 minutes then add zucchini & green beans.
- Simmer 10 minutes longer or until lentils are soft (ie. 25 minutes total).
- Serve! Taste and add more salt if desired. Ladle into bowls and serve with yogurt and coriander.
Recipe Notes:
1. Spice mix – Lots of possibilities here. It’s easy to judge quantity by adding bit by bit and tasting as you go! I’ve used a handy simple Moroccan Spice Mix option to give this a flavour boost with minimal effort. But some other suggestions:
- Mexican – You can totally cheat and use a packet of taco seasoning (1 pack is the perfect amount) or use the Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe in this Taco Soup. Serve with dollop of sour cream and shredded cheese, corn chips or warm tortillas for dunking. SO GOOD!
- Indian – Use a good dose of your favourite curry powder (packet, or mix up as you like) with a touch of Garam Masala for extra authentic flavour! I would use at least 1 tbsp curry in the beef + 1 tsp Garam Masala, then the same in the broth. Add chilli powder or cayenne for heat! Serve with yogurt and coriander/cilantro;
- Greek style – Double the garlic, add 1 tbsp oregano leaves and 2 teaspoons ground fennel seeds into the beef. Follow recipe as written, finish with the zest of 1 lemon + lemon juice to taste. Flatbread for dunking!
- Italian – Add 2 – 3 teaspoons of Italian herb mix into the beef, plus a teaspoon more into the broth, plus a pinch of chilli flakes. Stir in 1/2 cup of grated parmesan and finish with a sprinkling of extra parmesan. Serve with crusty bread. SO GOOD!
- Cajun – Use a good Cajun spice mix! Add a tablespoon into the beef, then add more to taste into the broth – just taste and simmer.
- Middle Eastern Shawarma-flavour – Make it from scratch yourself using the spice mix in this Lamb Shawarma Chickpea Soup recipe.
- Sauté the onion, celery and carrots together on medium low for 8 minutes – this will form a terrific soffrito flavour base to compensate;
- Use 4 cubes or 4 teaspoons powder and 1 litre / 4 cups water (in place of beef stock).
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
He always gets the last bite lick:
Emme says
This worked out great. I wanted a thick stew-like consistency so I didn’t use the water. Plenty of leftovers
Nagi says
That’s great to hear Emme!! N x
Karen says
This was excellent! Thank you so much.
Fiona Fraser says
I can’t believe how tasty this was. My 8 month old, 2.5 yr old and husband all LOVED it. This is in the mealtime rotation now until the end of time!
Nagi says
Wahoo, that’s awesome Fiona!! N x
Lisa says
My boyfriend and I were blown away by the flavors in this soup. It’s the first time I’ve had lentils. will definitely make it again.
Lisa says
Thank you for another fabulous recipe. I’ve never had lentils before, but my boyfriend loves lentil soup. We were both blown away by this one. The flavor is amazing. Had a nice crusty baguette with it. Yummy.
Grace says
Thank you Nagi! Another winner. So hearty and healthy. We replaced the celery with broccoli and added it in with the green beans. We also toasted some sourdough to accompany the meal and it was delicious!
Caroline A Stull says
I made the beef & lentil soup. It’s so yummy! The spices mingle together with the beef and lentils, and give it a rich flavor. Best lentil soup I ever had!
Edwina says
Are red lentils okay for this? 🙂
Nagi says
Yes that’s fine Edwina 🙂 N x
Justina Gabriel says
Hello Nagi,
Just would like to ask what type of lentils to use for this recipe. I usually use red lentils to make dhall cury, COles has varieties of lentils and I am not sure which one to get. Would really appreciate your reply, Thank you
Nagi says
Hi Justina, I mention this in note 3 🙂 N x
Justina Gabriel says
Thank you very much.
I made the soup today, I added Ras el nout from my pantry as I couldn’t find the Moroccan spice. The best soup ever with my favourite ingredients vegetables & lentils and my partner’s favourite beef ! 😋😋😋
I served with a crusty sourdough and this recipe is for keeping for sure.
Thank you
P.s – Tomorrow night I’m cooking your beef cheeks recipe !
Mariane Clermont says
Hello Nagi. Question in regards to spices, If I made homemade Morocan spices do I take 2 1/2 tablespoons of the Moroccan spices + the other spices below this or, one or the other? I mean either the Moroccan spices or the other spices? I think it is a lot, no?
Seph Smith says
I made this last night, and used the link to the Moroccan 7 spice mix recipe – used 2.5 tbsp of that plus the additional spices listed in the recipe. The only thing I found is that the black pepper from the 7 spice mix recipe about completely over-powers everything else, I’d recommend reducing the pepper by at least half if you’re making the 7 spice mix on your own.
Dawn says
Would love to make this, but am a little confused. Do I use your spice mix with cumin, allspice, etc… AND the Moroccan spice mix from the link to the Silk Road blog? Or just one or the other. Please let me know as I don’t want to screw it up as it looks and sounds delicious! Thanks in advance for a response.
Nagi says
Hi Dawn – it’s the moroccan spice mix or one of the mixes in note 1 🙂 N x
Dawn says
Goin’ Moroccan tonight! I am cutting back on the black pepper though. 1/3 cup seems excessive in the blend. Maybe a tablespoon in addition to the pepper in your spices. Thanks Nagi! Give Dozer a rub for me
Mary Todds says
Your recipes never surprise me on how soooo tasty they are,so far the winner is for my family, drum roll, the delicious BEEF, LENTIL,&VEGETABLE SOUP.
just Yummy.
Thanku Nagi for your delicious recipes.
Jen says
This turned out so good. Really easy and my entire family loved it! Those spices were great together. I’ve never used all spice in a soup. Thanks so much!
Greg says
Greetings Nagi. Any advice on using barley instead of lentils in this recipe. Thanks.
Nagi says
Hi Greg, you should be able to do a straight swap as barley takes around 25-30 minutes to cook at a low simmer! N x
Greg says
The barley worked perfectly. Very delicious and full of healthy ingredients. Thanks for the recipe. 😊
Dianne Sohi says
I think I may have made a mistake as the soup was overpowered by the black pepper. I made a half recipe.
I made a half recipe of your linked 7 spice Morrocan mix, and did half of the added spices, but left out the added pepper becuause I was concerned about how much went into the Morrocan mix. Wow! I like spicy but the pepper from the Morrocan mix was overwhelming. Everything cooked up nicely. Just not sure where i went wrong. Want to try the chickpea and minced lamb recipe next time.
Seph Smith says
That’s exactly what happened when I tried this last night. I’ll adjust if I make it again.
Marcy says
Making this tonight. Have you tried this with Harissa?
April says
I made it with Harissa. I also used diced red pepper and sweet potato. Delicious.
Nagi says
I haven’t but I’m sure it would be delicious Marcy!! N x
Andi says
In my previous post dated Nov 24 2020 I forgot to rate the soup, so it’s 5 stars for me.
Nagi says
Thanks so much Andi, I’m so glad you loved it! N x
Andi says
I didn’t have beef, lentils, zucchinis, green beans, beef stock or yogurt so I used ground turkey, lots of carrots and celery, a can of black beans, a can of corn, chicken broth and a wallop of sour cream.
I doubled up on the spices and used it all. The paprika gave the soup a beautiful red color with gold undertones.
The scent of the Moroccan spices permeated my house for the next few days and I didn’t mind; it smelled so lovely and the flavors were just divine! The soup was easy to make, very light and so, so delicious. Thanks again and again for your wonderful recipes.
Linda L says
I am a bit confused about the spice mix. I don’t see “or” in the list, so am I starting with 2 and 1/2 Tbsps of Moroccan Spice mix and then adding additional allspice, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper to that? That would make a total of 13.5 tsps of spice! Wowee!
Twambie says
Hey Nagi,
Wonderful looking recipe,
Was just wondering what you think of adding bell peppers at the end like you would spinach.