Scottish Fridge Lentil Soup

A traditional Scottish Lentil soup made with red lentils and leftover vegetables.

SCOTTISH FRIDGE LENTIL SOUP

Doesn't it look gorgeous?

Fridge lentil soup.

Lentil soup makes a regular appearance on our table. I love the flavour and how warming and filling it is. 

What's the difference in this fridge lentil soup? 

Well you probably guessed it is all about using up leftover vegetables.

My fridge lentil soup is made from celery, carrots and a red pepper that all needed using up and fast.

SCOTTISH LENTIL SOUP

Lentil soup is a traditional soup in Scottish homes.

Us Scots have a reputation for being frugal, or some might even say tight with money, but it is true when it comes to our kitchens and recipes.

We like to use local and seasonal produce, which is always at its best. Buying in season means saving money too as seasonal food that isn't flown in from distant shores will always be cheaper.

Lentil soup has always been popular as it is cheap, filling and nutritious and it also tastes great.

WHAT IS FRIDGE SOUP?

Fridge soup is all about using up what you already have in the fridge.

It's about using up those last bits of vegetables before your next shop, so you don't have any waste.

It's also a soup you can prepare with whatever you have, so no need to plan and pick up specific ingredients.

STONE SOUP

Fridge soup reminds me of that tale of a travelling fox who stops at a farm and asks the animals if they can spare some food.

The animals say no, so the fox makes a big fuss over making a pot of stone soup. He spends a bit of time to find the right stone, then he adds water.

He tricks the animals who are all intrigued to each bring a vegetable to make the soup taste even better and in the end it's a proper pot of soup all the animals can enjoy.

Fridge soup is a bit like that, you use whatever you have and seem to make a pot of soup out of almost nothing. When it's ready, it's a hearty meal the whole family can enjoy!

For more Scottish recipes have a look at my recipe index of Scottish Recipes for Vegans and Vegetarians

MAKE SCOTTISH FRIDGE LENTIL SOUP IN A POT

I usually make this soup in a pot on my gas hob, but you can make it in a slow cooker or an instant pot.

To cook it in a pot on your cooker top, saute the onion and garlic, then add the vegetables and cook gently for a few minutes.

Next add the lentils and stock and cook for 30 minutes until the lentils are soft and the vegetables are tender.

Season and serve.

MAKE SCOTTISH FRIDGE LENTIL SOUP IN A SLOW COOKER

This Scottish lentil soup can also be made in a slow cooker.

To make it in a slow cooker, you can either throw all the ingredients in and set the slow cooker, or saute the onion and garlic first, then add this mixture and all the other ingredients before hitting the start button.

Cook in the slow cooker on low for 8 hours or high for 6 hours.

Remember the rule of thumb when converting a recipe from hob to slow cooker is to reduce the liquid (stock) by a third.

MAKE SCOTTISH FRIDGE LENTIL SOUP IN AN INSTANT POT

To make this lentil soup in an instant pot, select saute and let the pot heat, then saute the onion and garlic, before adding the vegetables, lentils and stock.

Make sure the release valve is in the sealing position, click the lid on tight and lock.

Set to manual and choose 10 minutes. 

WHAT'S IN SCOTTISH FRIDGE LENTIL SOUP?

My fridge lentil soup is made with onions, garlic, celery, carrots, red pepper and red lentils.

Your fridge soup could be very different. You still want to start with onion or garlic, but you can use whatever vegetables you  have in your fridge or freezer.

Red lentils make the best fridge lentil soup as they thicken it and as they break down they make a thick broth.

WHAT ARE THE BEST LENTILS TO USE IN SOUP?

Red lentils are one of the best lentils to use in soup as they can be added without any prep and they break down while they cook to give you a creamy soup.

Yellow lentils and split peas will also break down and make a soup creamy in the same way red lentils do.

Brown, green and puy lentils are all good in soups too, but won't make a soup thick and creamy as they hold their shape. Puy lentils are also called French lentils.

WHY ARE LENTILS SO GOOD FOR YOU?

Lentils are a really healthy option. 

They are full of protein (which is important in a vegetarian or vegan diet), low in calories and rich in iron and folate.

They are easy and quick to cook with no preparation other than a quick wash.

CAN FRIDGE LENTIL SOUP BE FROZEN?

Yes fridge lentil soup can be frozen. 

Freeze the soup in portions so it is easy to take out just what you need.

If you freeze it in freezer bags, you can freeze it flat on a tray and stack the portions up to use up less space.

If you are trying to cut down on your plastic use, you can buy reusable freezer bags which are dishwasher and freezer safe.

This soup can be frozen for 3-4 months.

Take a portion out of the freezer the night before you need it and leave it in the fridge to defrost overnight, ready to be reheated the next day.

MORE LENTIL SOUPS

• Yellow Split Pea Soup
• Sweet Potato, Green Lentil and Spinach Soup
• Spiced Carrot, Lentil and Spinach Soup
• Spiced Potato and Red Lentil Soup
• Parsnip, Carrot and Lentil Soup

MORE RED LENTIL RECIPES TO TRY

• Vegan Haggis and Red Lentil Nut Loaf
• Easy Spinach and Coconut Dal
• Veg Box Red Lentil Shepherd's Pie
• Aubergine, Potato and Halloumi Bake

pin it for later

MONEY SAVING BUDGET SOUP

I costed this recipe with supermarket ingredients.

It costs £2.08 for the whole pot of soup, only 35p per serving (6 servings).

Look out for special offers, use frozen veg or buy in bulk to make this even cheaper per serving.

1 tbsp olive oil = 5p

1 onion = 10p

2 cloves garlic = 6p

4 carrots = 24p

2 red peppers = 30p

400g red lentils (21.4p per 100g) = 86p

2 tsp dried cumin = 24p

1 tsp dried coriander = 14p

3 stock cubes (value range 3p each) = 9p

Total = £2.08

Scottish Fridge Lentil Soup

Yield: 6-8

Author: Jacqueline Meldrum

Prep time: 10 MCook time: 40 MTotal time: 50 M

A traditional Scottish Lentil soup made with red lentils and leftover vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 4 large carrots, chopped
• 3 large carrots, grated
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 400g/2 cups red lentils
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 2 litres/3 ½ pints/8.5 cups vegetable stock, more if needed
• a good grinding of salt and pepper

Instructions:

How to cook Scottish Fridge Lentil Soup

1. In a large pot saute the onion, celery and garlic in the olive oil until the onion is soft and translucent.
2. Add the chopped carrots and red pepper and cook gently for 5 minutes.
3. Add the grated carrots, lentils and spices. Stir well, then add the stock. 
4. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer, pop a lid on the pot and cook for 30 minutes until the vegetables are all tender and the lentils are soft.
5. Season with salt and pepper. 
6. Serve with crusty bread.
7. Enjoy!

Notes:

This soup can be made in a slow cooker. Reduce the liquid by a third and cook on high for 6 hours or low for 8 hours.
This soup can be made in an instant pot. Set to manual and cook for 10 minutes.
This soup can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days.
This soup can be frozen for 3-4 months.
You can also use whatever vegetables you have in the fridge and freezer.

Calories
149.66

Fat (grams)
3.09

Sat. Fat (grams)
0.47

Carbs (grams)
24.25

Fiber (grams)
7.76

Net carbs
16.50

Sugar (grams)
6.41

Protein (grams)
7.73

Sodium (milligrams)
1030.46

Cholesterol (grams)
0.00

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Scottish, vegan

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