Carrot And Lentil Soup For Babies

By Penelope Henderson, MSc, RNutr/ 12/13/2023

Recipes | Weaning

Are you looking for a hearty and delicious soup that can be enjoyed by the entire family? Look no further than this amazing lentil soup for babies!?

Packed with nutrients, affordable ingredients, and a comforting taste, this recipe is not only perfect for babies but will also leave adults craving for more. Whether you’re on a budget or simply in need of a healthy and satisfying meal, this easy lentil soup is sure to become a favourite among everyone in your household.

Why I love this recipe

• An easy baby lentil soup for 6 months upwards.?

• Cheap ingredients

• Nutritious and tasty

• Can be easily made into batches and frozen

• It is naturally vegan, dairy free and gluten free

• Low salt (with or without salt for babies)

Are lentils healthy?

Lentils are amazing for babies as they are very nutritious! Rich in iron, folate and packed with protein. These are all essential nutrients for growing babies and children alike.?

Can babies eat lentils?

Yes babies can eat lentils and they are safe for babies but they need to be cooked until soft and mushy. Recommended from 6 months of age as a nutritious first food.?

Ingredients needed to make this hearty lentil soup

Heres what I included in this recipe or what you need to make it.

Onion

I used a medium sized brown onion but you could use a red onion or shallot if you prefer.

Carrots

Two medium carrots give this soup a lovely sweetness.?

Celery

Celery add another flavor base to soup

Red lentils?

Give a slight nutty flavour and when blended add a creaminess and thickness to the soup.

Vegetable stock

I used a stock cube but you can use ready made stock or whatever you like. If you are serving your baby then you want to avoid stock with added salt and sugar. Use water instead if they are under 1 year. For young children I recommend using a low sodium or reduced salt stock.?

Spices

Turmeric gives a little earthiness and paprika a little smokiness depending on how you like it to taste.

How to make lentil soup for babies

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a medium to large saucepan

Step 2: Chop an onion and garlic into pieces. Note it doesnt need to be finely chopped as they will be blended at the end of the recipe. Add to the pan and saute for about 2 minutes.

Step 3: Peel the carrots and chop into chunks. Chop the celery into pieces and add both to the pan for a further 3 minutes.?

Step 4: Measure a cup of red lentils and add to the pan along with 5 cups of vegetable broth or water and the spices (turmeric and paprika). Cover and cook for 30 minutes on a low heat (simmering gently).

Step 5: Once soft, blend up the ingredients with a hand blender or other food processor until smooth and creamy. Add seasoning for the adults if desired but leave out for babies and young children.?

This soup goes really well with pitta bread, toast or my pizza pinwheels

Possible Variations

Vegetables – you could swap the carrots for another orange vegetable such as sweet potatoes or butternut squash which would work just as well.

Stock –If you want to use chicken broth or this would work too but vegetables will give the best flavour. Variations on the amount of salt in the stock cubes will vary so check the labelling if you want a low sodium or no salt stock cube. Babies should not have salt so use water instead of vegetable stock or a no salt broth.?

If you want a thinner soup then you can add more stock to the recipe or for a thicker version reduce the amount of stock or water.?

Spices – Try some mild curry powder to add a more warming taste. Or cayenne pepper or even chilli flakes if you like it hot.?

Other flavours – For more of a tang to the soup add a few squeezes of lemon juice or some plain yoghurt.?

Add some cheese – add a little feta crumbled on top, but only for the adults as feta is very salty. Other cheeses would work well too like cheddar or a little grated parmesan.?

Options on how to serve it to babies and toddlers

Babies

• Open cup – serve cooled, not hot
• Cup with a straw – serve cooled or slightly warm
• Preload a weaning spoon for them and hand to them until they start to get the hang of serving themselves. If they prefer being independent then you could lay the loaded spoon on the tray for them to pick up.?
• Once cooled it thickens to make a red lentil puree. Add a little onto a strip of toast or pitta for baby led weaning.?

Toddlers

• Use a small bowl with a toddler spoon – allowing them to be independent and feed themselves.?
• If they are won’t eat soup on its own you could add some favourite things to dip such as some strips of toast or vegetable strips.?
• Add some pasta shapes for your pasta lover.?
• Serve it cold as a dip with some favourite things to dip into it like breadsticks.?
• Serve cold red lentil soup as a thickened puree on slices of toast.

Recipe FAQ

Best lentils for baby?

Red and yellow lentils are best for babies because they are softer in texture when cooked so they are easier to eat. They become more mushy compared to green, black or brown lentils so they will break down more easily in the baby’s mouth.?

Red and yellow lentils have less fiber and produce less gas than the green, black or brown lentils so an all round better option for babies.

When can my baby have lentil soup?

From 6 months old when they start weaning it is fine to give lentil soup to babies. Remember they must not have salt, so use water or no salt vegetable stock instead.?

How long can I store leftovers of this lentil soup?

You can store your soup in the fridge for up to 5 days or divide into portions and freeze for up to 3 months. Make sure to cool it down first before putting in an airtight container in the fridge.?

Reheat it in the microwave or on the cooker top over a medium heat until starting to bubble.

Can I make unblended lentil soup?

Yes, of course. Unblended will have chunky pieces of vegetables and lentils so it may not be suitable for a young baby of 6 months until they are used to more lumpy textures.?

Lentil soup for babies

A hearty and nutritious lentil soup for babies, children and all the family!

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course Soup

Servings 4 adults

Ingredients

??

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 medium carrots
• 1 stick celery
• 1 cup red lentils
• 5 cups vegetable stock
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp paprika

Instructions

?

• Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan
• Chop the onion and garlic cloves into slices or chunks, add to the pan and saute for 2 minutes
• Peel and chop the carrots and celery into chunks. Add to the pan and cook for a further 3 minutes over a medium heat.
• Weigh the lentils and add to the pan along with the stock and spices. Cook on a low heat for about 30 minutes until the vegetables and lentils are soft.
• Remove from the heat and blend with a hand blender or food processor until velvelty and smooth.

Video

Notes

Serve hot to adults or leave to cool down a little so it is warm before serving to babies and young children.?

Keyword lentil soup for babies

Did You Make this recipe?

Make sure to tag me on Instagram @nutrition2nourishflourish so I can see and share your creations! Or drop a comment and recipe rating below.

Other Lentil recipes for babies

• Lentil pasta with broccoli
• Baby lentil coconut curry

Soup recipes for babies

• Dal soup for babies
• Spinach and pea soup