Sopa de Lentejas al Adobo (Mexican Lentil Soup)
Hearty green lentil soup with carrots, tomatoes and a spoonful of guajillo adobo for a warm, fruity chilli depth.
Made with Fresh pico de gallo and Guajillo adobo paste. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £5.03 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Soften the onion, carrots and celery for 8 minutes, stirring now and then.
8 min - 2
Add the garlic and tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes until the tomatoes collapse.
3 min - 3
Stir in 80 g of your ready made guajillo adobo paste (see the base recipe) and cook for 1 minute.
- 4
Add the lentils, stock, bay leaves and salt. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 25 minutes until the lentils are tender.
25 min - 5
Add the courgette and simmer for 5 minutes more. Remove the bay leaves, taste and add salt or a squeeze of lime juice if needed.
5 min - 6
Ladle into bowls and top with spoonfuls of your ready made pico de gallo (see the base recipe) and serve with lime wedges.
Tips
- Green or brown lentils hold their shape. Red lentils will collapse into a purée, which also works if you prefer a smoother soup.
- Taste at the end. Lentils drink up seasoning, so you may need a little more salt or lime juice.
- For a thicker soup, blend a third of it and stir back in.
- The soup thickens as it sits. Thin it with a splash of hot water when reheating.
Storing and freezing
Cool quickly, keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
Questions
Can I use tinned lentils?
Yes. Use 2 tins of cooked lentils, drained, and simmer for just 10 minutes after adding the stock to let the flavours blend.
Is this soup gluten free and vegan?
Yes, when you use a vegan gluten free vegetable stock. It contains no dairy, egg, nuts or animal products.
How spicy is it?
Mild. Guajillo adobo gives warmth and fruity depth rather than heat. Add a pinch of chilli flakes or serve with a hot salsa for more kick.
More made with fresh pico de gallo
Milanesa de Pollo con Arroz Rojo y Frijoles (Breaded Chicken Plate)
DFNFHPTostadas de Atún con Chipotle (Chipotle Tuna Tostadas)
GFDFNFQuesadillas de Camaron y Queso (Prawn and Cheese Quesadillas)
EFNFQuesadillas de Chorizo con Rajas (Chorizo and Poblano Strip Quesadillas)
GFEFNFDouble 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.