Lentil Soup Buyers Guide: Quick and Nutritious Ready Meals

When a busy schedule leaves little time for cooking, simple yet nutritious meals are a welcome solution. Lentil soup, a classic comfort food, perfectly fits the bill. As a ready meal, it offers a quick and satisfying option for a lunch break at the office, dinner after a long day, or as a convenient meal on the go.

This article serves as your guide, introducing different types of ready-made lentil soup and highlighting their unique features to help you make the best choice.

A note from your Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer.

Buyer's Guide: Finding the Right Lentil Soup

The variety of ready-made lentil soups is vast. To find the right product for your needs, consider the following criteria.

1. Preparation Style: Canned or Powdered?

The product format determines the preparation effort and storage requirements.

• Canned or Jarred Lentil Soup: This is a fully prepared ready meal with lentils. It only needs to be heated in a pot or microwave. This option is ideal when you're short on time. It often contains whole lentils and visible pieces of vegetables or meat.
• Powdered Soup Mix: These mixes are stirred into water and briefly brought to a boil. They are very compact to store and typically have a long shelf life. This option is great for stocking your pantry or for situations where packing light is essential, such as camping.

2. Ingredients and Varieties: Classic, Vegetarian, or International?

Recipes vary significantly to cater to different tastes.

• Lentil Soup with Sausages: The traditional lentil stew with additions like Bockwurst sausage or bacon makes for a hearty and complete meal.
• Vegetarian Lentil Soup: Many manufacturers offer purely plant-based versions that focus on lentils and vegetables. These are suitable as a lighter meal or as a base that can be customised with your own ingredients.
• Red Lentil Soup: Often prepared in a Turkish or Middle Eastern style, this soup is usually puréed and has a creamier consistency. It is frequently seasoned with ingredients like mint, lemon, or cumin.

3. Nutritional Value and Portion Size

It's also wise to check the nutrition label and serving size. Pay attention to the protein and fiber content, which is naturally high in lentils. Portion sizes typically range from 400g (for one person) to 800g or more (for two people or for stocking up).

Recommended Ready Meals Selection

Here is a showcase of different products that cater to various needs and tastes.

Erasco Linseneintopf mit Würstchen 800g

What Makes It Special This lentil stew from Erasco is a classic ready meal based on traditional recipes. In addition to lentils and vegetables, it contains potatoes, bacon, and slices of Bockwurst, making it a complete and hearty meal.

Advantages

• Contains 6.5% Bockwurst sausage slices and vegetables like carrots and potatoes.
• Simple to prepare in a pot or microwave (approx. 6 minutes at 600W).
• Made without added flavour enhancers or preservatives, according to the manufacturer.
• The 800g can, made of recyclable tinplate, is suitable for two servings.

Who Is It For? This product is aimed at those who prefer a classic, meaty lentil soup with sausages. It's a convenient solution for a quick and filling meal with no cooking required.

Jeden Tag Linsen mit Gemüse 850ml

What Makes It Special This product is a vegetarian lentil soup in a large, pantry-sized can. The recipe is focused on the essentials, consisting of lentils, potatoes, carrots, leeks, and onions.

Advantages

• Purely plant-based ingredient list, suitable for a vegetarian diet.
• Large 850ml volume, ideal for families or for stocking the pantry.
• Made in Germany.
• Low sugar content of less than 0.5g per 100g.

Who Is It For? The canned lentil soup from Jeden Tag is a great choice for vegetarians, budget-conscious shoppers, and anyone looking for a simple base lentil soup. It can be eaten as is or used as a foundation for your own creations with herbs or spices.

Basak Linsensuppe 70g

What Makes It Special This product is an instant soup in powder form, based on red lentil flour. Preparation is incredibly simple: the powder is mixed with water and brought to a boil, creating a creamy red lentil soup in minutes.

Advantages

• Very quick and easy to prepare.
• The main ingredient is red lentil flour (57%), supplemented with spelt flour.
• Compact and lightweight 70g packaging, perfect for the office drawer, home pantry, or for travel.
• Seasoned with onion powder, hot paprika, garlic powder, and turmeric for a savoury flavour.

Who Is It For? This soup mix is ideal for students, professionals working from home, or campers looking for an extremely fast, space-saving, and light meal.

Looking for More Soup Varieties?

If you'd like to explore a wider range of ready-made soups and stews, from goulash to creamy tomato soup, you can find more options in our Soup Mixes category.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lentil Soup

1. What is the difference between lentil soup and lentil stew?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but a lentil stew is typically thicker and contains a higher proportion of solid ingredients like potatoes, vegetables, or pieces of meat. A lentil soup can have a thinner consistency or, as with red lentil soup, be creamy and puréed.

2. How long does opened canned lentil soup last?

After opening, any unused contents of the can should be transferred to a non-metallic container (e.g., glass or plastic). When stored in the refrigerator, the soup should be consumed within two days.

3. Can you customise a ready-made lentil soup?

Yes, ready-made lentil soups are easy to enhance. A splash of vinegar adds a pleasant acidity. Fresh herbs like parsley or a dollop of sour cream can also round out the flavour. It pairs well with fresh bread or a roll.