Bacon and lentil soup
A thick, smoky, hearty soup that is a meal in a bowl for under a fiver.
- Time55 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.85 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
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Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Fry the bacon for 5 minutes, until golden and the fat has run.
5 min - 2
Add the onion, carrots and celery and cook for 8 minutes, stirring, until soft. Stir in the garlic and tomato purée for 1 minute.
8 min - 3
Tip in the lentils, then add the boiling water, stock cubes, thyme and bay leaf. Bring to the boil.
- 4
Turn down and simmer for 35 minutes, until the lentils are soft and the soup has thickened.
35 min - 5
Remove the thyme stalks and bay leaf. Blend a third of the soup with a stick blender for a creamy body with some texture left.
- 6
Stir in the vinegar, season with black pepper and taste before adding salt. Serve hot.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.