Easy Scottish Red Lentil Soup

Easy Scottish Red Lentil Soup is a hearty and warming soup. I’ve taken this traditional  Scottish soup recipe and made it even easier to make.  There are only five ingredients and one of them is water! 

Why make Scottish Red Lentil Soup?

I make Red Lentil Soup several times every month throughout the year because it’s so simple and just so good to eat. I like to make a big pot of soup so I can freeze some for days when I don’t have time to make soup. It’s warming and super tasty, and you can make it into a simple supper with some crusty bread.

What ingredients do I need for Scottish Red Lentil Soup?

You need very few ingredients and they are all readily available and probably in your larder and fridge right now! Here’s what you need:

• Carrots
• Onion
• Red Lentils
• Stock

That’s all you need and you will be astonished at just how delicious these few ingredients are when combined.

Do I need to make Ham Stock to make this red lentil soup?

Traditional Scottish Red Lentil Soup is made using ham stock which is made from a smoked ham hough (hock).  While this makes an outstandingly delicious soup, it does take time. My Easy Scottish Red Lentil Soup is much quicker to make and can also be made vegetarian. 

How do I make Traditional Ham Stock?

Soak the ham hough overnight in cold water.  In the morning discard the water, then bring the hough to a boil in more water.  Once it has boiled for 5 minutes discard that water too. 

Finally, cover the ham hough with more water and add a chopped carrot, a bay leaf, a teaspoon of peppercorns and an onion studded with a few cloves. 

Bring the stock to a boil and cook for 2 – 3 hours or  1-1 1/2 hours in the pressure cooker. Then strain the stock and start to make the soup. 

How do I make Easy Scottish Red Lentil Soup?

I have made Lentil Soup the traditional way, many times. It’s really delicious. Strip the meat from the ham hough and add it to the finished soup making it extra special. 

However, for everyday soup making I use the easy method with stock cubes. And I also take advantage of modern kitchen equipment. 

Can I make the soup without a food processor? 

Yes, you certainly can make Scottish Red Lentil Soup without a food processer. My Mum and Gran didn’t have food processors when they made their soup. All you need to do is finely chop the onion and grate the carrots.   It’s a little bit more work but there’s no need to miss out if you don’t have a food processor. 

Make Scottish Red Lentil Soup on the Hob, Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot

I bought my first pressure cooker when I was 19 and I now have an Instant Pot which is simply an electric pressure cooker.  But you can make this soup on the hob, it just has to cook a little longer.

To make on the Hob

Bring the soup ingredients to a boil. Then simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the carrots are cooked and the lentils have dissolved to create a thick soup.

To make in a Pressure Cooker

Put the ingredients into the pressure cooker, seal the lid. Bring the cooker up to pressure and set a timer to cook for 12 minutes, remove from the heat and release the pressure. 

To make in the Instant Pot

Put the ingredients into the Instant Pot, seal the lid. Press Pressure Cook and medium pressure and set for 12 minutes.  Once the cooking is finished, leave the Instant Pot for at least 10 minutes before releasing the pressure. 

Can I make Red Lentil Soup ahead of time?

Make the soup, let it cool and store in lidded containers in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can I freeze the lentil soup?

Yes, prepare as above and freeze when completely cool. The soup will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months without any deterioration.

How do I defrost the soup?

To defrost remove the container from the freezer and leave overnight in the fridge, then decant into a pan and heat slowly on the hob. Or put into a microwavable container and heat until piping hot.

If you forget to remove the soup from the freezer, then dip the container into hot water until you can release the block of soup into a pan or a microwavable container. Heat VERY slowly on the hob stirring frequently or use the defrost setting on your microwave until the soup is liquid. Bring the soup to a boil before serving.

Vegetarian Scottish Red Lentil Soup

Although ham stock is traditional you can also make Scottish Red Lentil Soup with vegetable stock cubes. This makes it suitable for vegetarians. 

Gluten Free

There is no obvious gluten in the recipe for Scottish Red Lentil Soup. However, please check stock cubes for gluten.

Healthy and Low Calorie

Lentils are full of fibre and combined with carrots and onions, this soup is a great way to fill up.  It is also remarkably low in fat and calories as a generous bowl is around 200 kcal.

Make it your own

This easy recipe is my family recipe for Scottish Red Lentil Soup.  However, there are many variations, for example, my maternal grandmother added grated turnip (swede) to her lentil soup.  I have also seen recipes with cubes of potato and larger pieces of carrot. 

I would recommend you make the soup following the recipe at least once before you start to add your own favourite ingredients.  Please bear in mind I can only vouch for the recipe as written. 

How do I serve Scottish Lentil Soup?

Serve Scottish Red Lentil Soup in generous portions in large bowls. Serve as it is or with lots of crusty bread. I like to have lentil soup for lunch on chilly days but with lots of bread and, perhaps a little cheese and ham, this soup can be made into your main meal.

More Scottish Soup Recipes from Farmersgirl Kitchen 

How to make Scotch Broth like a Scot is my simple recipe for a classic Scottish soup. This version is made with vegetable stock and is suitable for vegetarians.

Scottish Chicken and Leek Soup is a traditional soup that is also known as Cock-a-Leekie. Made with leeks and chicken stock with a little rice, this is a simple and very delicious recipe that you can make on the stove, in your Slow Cooker or pressure cooker.

Cullen Skink is a traditional Scottish soup made with smoked fish, potatoes, and onions. It’s the perfect soup to serve as a hearty family meal with homemade soda bread and equally at home at an elegant dinner party.

More Lentil Soup Recipes 

Lamb Vegetable and Lentil Soup with Cabbage – Fab Food 4 All 

Spiced Lentil, Carrot, and Roasted Tomato Soup – Tin & Thyme

Chicken, Peanut and Lentil Soup – Feast Glorious Feast

For US measures, please click on the Metric/US Customary Measures in the Recipe Card

Easy Scottish Red Lentil Soup

Janice Pattie

An easy recipe for a classic comforting soup of red lentils, carrots, and onions.

4.30 from 47 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course Soup

Cuisine British, Scottish

Servings 6

Calories 203 kcal

Equipment

• large pot or pressure cooker
• Food processor or grater
• Sharp knife
• chopping board

Ingredients

• 4 stock cubes ham or vegetable
• 3 litres (5 ½ pt) water
• 600 grams (5 ½ cups) carrots
• 1 large (1 large) onion
• 250 grams (1 ¼ cups) red lentils

Instructions

 

• 1 large onion, 600 grams carrots
  Peel the onion and wash the carrots removing the top. Roughly chop the carrots and onion.
  
• Place In a food processor and chop until fine.
  
• If you don't have a food processor then Finely chop the onion and grate the carrots.
• 4 stock cubes, 3 litres water, 250 grams red lentils
  Put the vegetables, water, stock cubes and lentils into a large pan.
  
• Bring to a boil then turn down the heat and simmer on the hob for 30 minutes until the lentils have softened and merged into the soup with the carrot and onion.
  

In a Pressure Cooker/Instant Pot

• Bring to pressure and cook on medium pressure for 12 minutes.
  

Notes

Make it Vegetarian: use vegetable stock cubes

Nutrition

Calories: 203kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 12gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 713mgPotassium: 765mgFiber: 16gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 16722IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 4mg

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