Description
A hearty and comforting Lentil Turkey Sausage Soup packed with rich flavors and nutritious ingredients. Clean, healthy, and loaded with protein.
Ingredients
Units
Turkey Italian Sausage
- 1 pound ground turkey (or meat of choice)
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
- 1 teaspoon marjoram (or sub oregano)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
For the Soup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 cups cauliflower, small flowerets
- 1 cup black lentils *see notes for other lentil varieties
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced (or sub fresh thyme)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt (we used mineral kosher salt)
- 15 ounces canned tomatoes (whole san marzano tomatoes preferred but diced tomatoes will work too)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 6 cups chicken broth or veggie broth
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or to taste
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley to garnish
- serve with parmesan cheese and crusty bread if desired
Instructions
- Make the turkey sausage by mixing salt, pepper, sage, red pepper flakes, fennel, marjoram, and onion powder with the ground meat in a medium bowl.
- Add olive oil and onion to a large pot and stir with a wooden spoon over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until tender and fragrant. Add turkey sausage, stir and cook until browned. Add garlic sautéing a minute more.
- Add celery, carrots, and cauliflower, rosemary, smoked paprika, bay leaves, pepper, salt, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, and lentils.
- Bring soup to a boil and turn down to a simmer for 20-25 minutes or until lentils are tender.
- Stir in red wine vinegar. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. This soup is always better the next day!
Notes
For brown lentils, green lentils or French green lentils, add lentils and broth after step 2 and simmer for 10 minutes before adding the vegetables.
Store leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container for 4 days.
If desired add chopped kale or chard in with the veggies or a handful of spinach just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 366
- Sugar: 6.8 g
- Sodium: 543.7 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 36.7 g
- Fiber: 8.3 g
- Protein: 30.2 g
- Cholesterol: 52.2 mg