Sopa de Lentejas con Chile (Mexican Lentil Soup)
A hearty lentil and vegetable soup lifted with smoky red salsa, filling enough for a main and easy on the budget.
Made with Salsa roja (cooked red salsa). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.21 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. Cook the onion, carrot and garlic for 6 minutes until soft.
6 min - 2
Stir in the lentils, bay leaves, cumin and paprika for 30 seconds, then pour in the water and add 1 tsp salt. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
20 min - 3
Add your ready made salsa roja (see the base recipe), the potato and the courgette. Simmer for another 15 minutes, until the lentils and potatoes are tender.
15 min - 4
Remove the bay leaves. Taste and add salt and a squeeze of lime to brighten it.
- 5
Mash a few spoonfuls of the soup against the side of the pan to thicken the broth, if you like a creamier texture.
- 6
Ladle into bowls and serve with lime wedges.
Tips
- Use green or brown lentils, which hold their shape. Red lentils break down into a purée and will change the texture.
- Taste before the final seasoning. The salsa already carries salt, so add the rest a pinch at a time.
- For a thicker, creamier soup, blend a ladleful and stir it back into the pan.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. The soup thickens, so add a splash of water when reheating until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use tinned lentils?
Yes. Add two 400 g tins of drained, rinsed lentils with the salsa and simmer for just 15 minutes. You will need less water, around 600 ml.
Is it spicy?
Mild to medium, because the salsa roja carries a gentle chilli warmth. Add a few drops of hot sauce at the table for more heat.
Is this soup vegan?
Yes. The ingredients are all plant based, so it suits vegan and gluten free diets. Check the labels on any packaged lentils and spices.
More made with salsa roja (cooked red salsa)
Chiles Poblanos Rellenos de Carnitas al Horno (Baked Stuffed Poblanos)
GFEFNFQuesadillas de Jaiba (Crab Quesadillas)
GFEFNFPicaditas de Frijol con Salsa Roja y Queso Fresco (Veracruz Bean Picaditas)
GFEFNFTacos de Chorizo con Papa (Chorizo and Potato Tacos)
DFEFNFDouble 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.