This Greek Lentil Soup Recipe (Fakes Soupa) is a hearty, healthy vegan soup packed with flavor from fresh herbs, tomatoes, and a generous amount of extra-virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar added at the end. Slow cooker and Instant Pot optional!
Soak lentils in a large bowl or container covered with lots of water for 2-4 hours (orovernight). Drain and rinse well.
Sauté the onions and celery in a large pot over medium-high heat in 1 tablespoon of olive oil until softened and beginning to brown (about 3 minutes).
Add the garlic, sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
Pour in the red wine and stir, cooking until it has reduced by about half (about 2 minutes).
Add the vegetable stock, tomatoes, bay leaves, herbs, salt, pepper, and soaked lentils.
Stir, bring to a boil, cover, and simmer on low for 30 minutes, or until lentils are tender.
Turn off heat and stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil and the red wine vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serve!
Notes
Freezer directions: this soup can be kept in the freezer for up to 6 months and leftovers will last about a week in the fridge.
Wine substitution: You can omit the wine if you want- just skip that step and move right to adding the broth, tomatoes, and other ingredients.
Sometimes I like adding barley with a little more liquid to make it extra hearty.
To make this in your slow cooker, stir all ingredients besides the olive oil and red wine vinegar together in the crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8. When it's done, stir in the olive oil and vinegar and adjust seasoning if necessary.
To make this in your instant pot, sauté the vegetables, add the remaining ingredients, and cook for 10 minutes on manual high. Naturally release pressure for 10 minutes before quick releasing. Stir in olive oil and vinegar.
The provided nutrition information does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. Feel free to calculate it yourself using this calculator or by adding the recipe to Yummly.