Dr Mobeus
Bacon and Lentil Soup
Bacon and lentil soup is the kind of recipe your nan would recognise. It has been a British staple for generations because it works – cheap ingredients, big flavour, fills you up properly. Smoked bacon bits cost about £1.20 for a small pack and they flavour the whole pot. Red lentils break down to give the soup its thick, creamy texture without needing any cream or blending. At 45p per portion this is honest, proper food that does exactly what it says on the tin.
Total cost: £1.80 (£0.45 per portion) – Serves 4 people. Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 30 mins
Bacon and Lentil Soup
A proper British soup that has been warming people up for centuries. Smoky bacon, red lentils and vegetables create a thick, hearty bowl that eats like a meal for under 50p.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the diced bacon and cook for 3-4 minutes until starting to crisp.
- Add the onion, carrots and celery. Cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables are softening.
- Add the red lentils, potato, thyme and stock. Stir well and bring to the boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the lentils have broken down and the soup is thick.
- Season with salt and pepper. The bacon is already salty so taste before adding extra salt.
- Serve in warm bowls with crusty bread for dipping.
Tips and Variations
Smoked bacon bits from the deli counter have way more flavour than the packet stuff. This freezes brilliantly for up to 3 months. Add a bay leaf while it simmers for extra depth. If you want it smoother, blend half the soup and mix it back in.
Is it cheaper to make this from scratch? Use our Cook vs Buy Calculator to compare the real cost of homemade vs shop-bought.
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