This Easy Lentil Soup is Just the Beginning | Kenji’s Cooking ShowFebruary 25, 2026
Joining my Patreon, purchasing my books and products, and subscribing to my social media channels is the best way to support my work.
Watch this video ad-free and get the full article and recipe by becoming a Super Frienji of Kenji. Join the club to get the full build, trade notes with fellow kitchen obsessives, and hang with a community of cooks and food nerds swapping tips, stories, and secrets: https://www.patreon.com/posts/151567522
If you want to help me write my next cookbook and see your name printed in it, join at the annual Cookbook Club level for even more recipes (including three variations on this lentil soup), livestreams, Q&As, and more.
You can get any of my books (The Food Lab, The Wok and Every Night is Pizza Night) wherever books are sold, or you can order signed and personalized copies to be shipped anywhere in the world from here: https://booklarder.com/search?q=kenji
MY SHOP:
https://www.kenjilopezalt.com/shop
BOOKS:
Signed, personalized copies are available here:
The Food Lab: https://booklarder.com/products/the-food-lab-better-home-cooking-through-science1
The Wok: https://booklarder.com/products/the-wok
And my Kid’s book, Every Night is Pizza Night: https://booklarder.com/products/every-night-is-pizza-night1
You can also buy my books anywhere books are sold, or from these online retailers:
https://www.kenjilopezalt.com/books
SUBSCRIBE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenjilopezalt/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j.kenji.lopezalt
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kenjilopezalt
Website: https://www.kenjilopezalt.com/
CREDITS
Shot By: Kenji Lopez-alt and Lena Davidson
Edited By: David Zimmermann and David Hudson
Produced By: Kenji Lopez-Alt and Lena Davidson
22 Comments
I like the simplicity, and the pace that you’re working at.
I have that same teapot, except in orange I love it! Do you remember where you got it? I don't recall where I got mine.
“Garlic is divine. Few food items can taste so many distinct ways, handled correctly. Misuse of garlic is a crime. Old garlic, burnt garlic, garlic cut too long ago and garlic that has been tragically smashed through one of those abominations, the garlic press, are all disgusting. Please, treat your garlic with respect. Sliver it for pasta, like you saw in Goodfellas; don’t burn it. Smash it, with the flat of your knife blade if you like, but don’t put it through a press. I don’t know what that junk is that squeezes out the end of those things, but it ain’t garlic. And try roasting garlic. It gets mellower and sweeter if you roast it whole, still on the clove, to be squeezed out later when it’s soft and brown. Nothing will permeate your food more irrevocably and irreparably than burnt or rancid garlic. Avoid at all costs that vile spew you see rotting in oil in screw-top jars. Too lazy to peel fresh? You don’t deserve to eat garlic.”
am i blind, wheres the dang recipe
You always nail it! TY
Wow! I’ve been craving lentil soup… I made it tonight, it was full of flavor and oh so easy! Thanks for sharing🫰🏻
where do i find that metal grid wall rack thing or something similar?
When you added potatoes I got sooo excited. And then you mentioned it was because of Colombian influences and I’m Colombian, hence proving your point haha.
I can’t wait to try this!!! And I appreciate how you explained in the beginning that knowing the basics of this one soup could start a whole series of other combinations.
Using the microplane to stir the mirepoix really bothered me 😳
11:40 This was a fun BTS moment!
Damn I wish I could handle that much oil, asian stomach built different
yes, in italien called …soffritto. 👍
you know… if kenji doesnt like a cooking technique…. maybe it isnt good
Delicious! Thanks
Added some balsamic vinegar to give an extra pop. Gnam!
Okay, the soup looks fine; the wife likes lentils and she approves; but what is that pot you're using and where can I get a whole set for my kitchen?
would love more vegetarian recipes from you!!!!!
Happy to see more vegan / vegetarian options on the channel!
I love how authentic your videos are
I love that these videos feel like real home cooking and that your kitchen resembles your average person. Also just love how simple you make cooking seem. And as a non-binary person, its really nice to see someone with a platform give us a shout out 😀 its small and simple but it makes me happy ❤
J. and Jonathan Zaragoza both use these beautiful, thin straight wooden spatulas. Where do you pick these up? They look so much nice than even the nice wooden spoons I've been using.
Love the editing
You guys! I topped mine with smoked salmon 😍😍😍 So friggin good.
Tiny Whisk! Babish would be proud!