Lentejas Cubanas (Cuban Lentil Soup)
Servings: 8
Calories: 404kcal
Ingredients
- 14 oz package of dry lentils
- 2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Yellow onion diced
- 1 red Red bell pepper diced
- 5 Garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Smoked sweet Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Chicken bouillon
- 1 lb Smoked pork loin
- 1 5.5 oz package of Spanish chorizo links
- 5 cup Water
- 2 Bay leaves
- 2 Carrots peeled
- 2 Red potatoes peeled and cut into cubes
Instructions
- Set your instant pot to sauté and add the olive oil, chopped onions and chopped bell pepper. Saute until the onions are translucent and then add in the minced garlic.
- Add to the Instant Pot the brown lentils, chorizo slices, smoked pork loin, dried oregano, ground cumin, smoked paprika, bay leaves, salt, black pepper, chicken boullian and tomato paste. Close and secure the lid of the Instant Pot and set to Stew with low pressure for 45 minutes
- Release the steam from the Instant pot and open the lid carefully.
- Add the potatoes and carrots to the pot. Set the Instant pot to the sauté setting and allow to cook for 20 minutes until the carrots and potatoes are fork tender.
- Before serving, remove bay leaf and garnish with minced parsley.
Notes
Variations and substitutions of this flavorful soup
Don't consume pork products? Opt instead for chicken sausage and spoked turkey neck or smoked turkey leg. Don't have red bell peppers? Opt instead for green bell pepper Can't find smoked pork loin? I love using smoked pork belly as an alternative. You can also use ham hock, smoked cooking ham, or ham shank meat. Don't want to use water for your lentil stew? Use chicken stock or chicken broth instead. Make this a vegan lentil soup by omitting the chorizo sausage, chicken bouillon and smoked pork loin. Use instead vegetable stock. Don't own an Instant Pot? This soup can also be made in a pressure cooker. Don't have brown lentils? Opt for green lentils or red lentils instead.Storage for this lentil recipe
Place the leftover hearty lentil soup in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for upto 4 days. You can freeze the your leftover potaje de lentejas in a freezer bag or airtight container for upto 3 months. To defrost, place in the refrigerator over night.Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 404kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 574mg | Potassium: 1041mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2840IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 6mg