🍣 Japanese · Soup · Easy difficulty · Vegan
Dairy-Free Japanese Lentil Hearty Soup
A dairy-free hearty soup with lentil, grated ginger and garlic, Japanese flavours and no gluten.
- Prep time
- 12 min
- Cook time
- 23 min
- Total time
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 399 kcal
- Protein
- 19 g
- Carbs
- 29 g
- Fat
- 23 g
- Course
- Soup
About this Japanese soup
Dairy-Free Japanese Lentil Hearty Soup is a Japanese soup built around dried lentils. It takes about 35 min from start to finish, 12 minutes of prep and 23 minutes of cooking, and serves 4.
Cooking method: soup. Difficulty is rated easy. Vegan, and marked gluten-free in our data.
Good for: dairy-free, meal prep, one-pot wonders, everyday healthy.
Ingredients
Quantities are for 4 servings. Change the servings in the app to rescale them automatically.
- 250 g dried lentils, rinsed
- 1 litre gluten-free vegetable or chicken stock
- 2 cups broccoli, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- Seasoning: grated ginger and garlic
- Sauce: 2 tbsp tamari and 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Method
Step 1. Soften the onion and carrots in a splash of olive oil for 5 minutes.
- Heat
- Medium to high, stir or flip now and then
- Look for
- Golden-brown edges, a steady sizzle and a toasty smell.
- Why it matters
- Browning (the Maillard reaction) creates deep savoury flavour that boiling cannot.
- Avoid
- Overcrowding the pan: the temperature drops and food steams. Cook in batches.
Step 2. Add the grated ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Heat
- Keep the heat steady
- Look for
- The new ingredient is coated and the mixture returns to a gentle bubble.
- Why it matters
- Adding things in order lets each ingredient cook for just the right time.
- Avoid
- Dumping everything in at once: delicate items turn mushy before tougher ones are done.
Step 3. Add the lentil, broccoli and stock; bring to a boil.
- Heat
- Keep the heat steady
- Look for
- The new ingredient is coated and the mixture returns to a gentle bubble.
- Why it matters
- Adding things in order lets each ingredient cook for just the right time.
- Avoid
- Dumping everything in at once: delicate items turn mushy before tougher ones are done.
Step 4. Simmer gently for 25 minutes until everything is tender.
- Heat
- Low, with small lazy bubbles
- Look for
- Small bubbles break the surface gently; the sauce thickens and the food turns tender.
- Why it matters
- Gentle, steady heat softens tough fibres and lets flavours blend without drying things out.
- Avoid
- Letting it boil hard, which toughens meat and reduces the liquid too fast. Lifting the lid too often loses heat.
Step 5. Season to taste and stir in 2 tbsp tamari.
- Heat
- Off, no heat
- Look for
- Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
- Why it matters
- Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
- Avoid
- Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.
Step 6. Ladle into bowls and top with spring onion and nori strips.
- Heat
- Warm plates
- Look for
- Hot food on warm plates with a fresh, bright garnish on top.
- Why it matters
- Garnish adds colour, crunch and freshness. Tasting and adjusting salt or acid at the end lifts the whole dish.
- Avoid
- Waiting too long: the dish cools and crisp parts go soft.
Chef's tip
Full-fat coconut milk or blended cashews add creaminess without dairy.
Equipment you will need
- Large pot
- Ladle
- Hand blender (optional)
Nutrition per serving
Estimated per serving: 399 kcal, 19 g protein, 29 g carbohydrate and 23 g fat. Roughly 19% of the energy comes from protein, 29% from carbohydrate and 52% from fat, using standard energy values.
Nutrition values are estimates from typical ingredient profiles. They are not medical data, and brands and portions vary. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian about your diet.
When to cook Dairy-Free Japanese Lentil Hearty Soup
Substitutions and variations
- Blend half the soup for a creamy texture without dairy.
- Use vegetable stock to keep it vegetarian, and check labels for hidden gluten or animal products.
- Freeze in portions before adding delicate garnishes, and add them fresh when reheating.
Frequently asked questions about Dairy-Free Japanese Lentil Hearty Soup
How long does Dairy-Free Japanese Lentil Hearty Soup take to make?
It takes about 35 min in total: 12 minutes of prep and 23 minutes of cooking. Times are estimates and depend on your stove, pan and how small you cut the ingredients.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving has about 399 kcal, with 19 g protein, 29 g carbohydrate and 23 g fat. These are estimates for the recipe's 4 servings.
Is Dairy-Free Japanese Lentil Hearty Soup gluten-free?
It is marked gluten-free in our data. Still check labels on stock, sauces and spice blends, which can contain gluten.
Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
Yes, it is vegan. Check labels on stock and curry pastes, which can contain animal products.
How difficult is it to cook?
It is an easy recipe with simple steps and minimal timing pressure, so it suits beginners.
Can I make Dairy-Free Japanese Lentil Hearty Soup ahead or freeze it?
Yes. Cool it quickly, refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot throughout.
How many servings does it make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. To change the amount, scale each ingredient in proportion. The interactive app's servings control does this automatically.