This Rent Week Lentil Soup Will Save Your Wallet | Struggle Meals

Just paid rent? Turn to your BFF, the pantry, and whip up Frankie Celenza's lentil soup for a delicious meal that's also easy on your wallet.
RECIPE:
Yields: 6 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minute
Ingredients:
Vegetable scraps
10 cups of water
2 TBSP vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
½ cup chopped celery
2 tsp cumin
1 pound brown lentils, rinsed
1 (15 oz ) can diced tomatoes
Salt and pepper
Steps:
1. First make the stock. Add all of the vegetable scraps to a large pot and cover with water, bring to a boil and then turn down to simmer for 30-45 minutes.
2. Heat a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the oil and then the onion, celery, and cumin. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 5-7 minutes.
3. Stir in the lentil, tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil and turn down to simmer for 40 minutes. When done cooking, allow to cool slightly and puree 3 cups of the soup with an immersion blender and then stir back into the pot. Season as needed.
Note: you need 6 cups of broth for this recipe
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[@averymontemayor8420]

I honestly feel like food network should pick this guy up and give him a show.

[@Ollie7707]

On his other channel he commented that he pitched a show to food network and they rejected it

[@smartersean]

He's too good for Food network!!!

[@KudukUngol]

@@Ollie7707 That's not surprising. Their lineup is nothing but competitions and Guy Fee-eddy. Once upon a time they were actually about teaching viewers how to cook, but not anymore.

[@springchick19]

They would just ruin it.

[@kat1984]

@@KudukUngol I miss the Food Network of the early 00s

[@rayradiance666]

Serve that up with some rice and you’ll be really full for a long time

[@strugglemeals]

Yum!

[@Sirona279]

Or grab those bread loaf ends, toast them, scrape some butter across (or drizzle some olive oil for vegan), and you have something to dip. 😊

[@veryberry39]

@@Sirona279 I was hovering my mouse over the Thumbs-up, waiting for it to give me the option to choose a heart. :P Since this isn't Facebook, I will instead say that this sounds delicious and I agree with you wholeheartedly!

[@catharinekarow6654]

I kid you not, a splash of red wine vinegar right at the end is magic for this soup (I make a variation on this at least 2x/week). Brightens the flavor a lot!

[@elsanto2401]

this needs to be higher

[@Hey_you_guys]

Or lemon juice if you don't have the vinegar.

[@taniat.4841]

or fresh lime

[@williamb2854]

My Mom would add one teaspoon of vinegar to each serving bowl. I do this to this day...its good

[@my2cents49]

Oh wow I thought I was the only one who did this! A splash of red wine, a splash of olive oil if you have any, some cheap Italian seasoning, and if you have a leftover chicken bone from another meal you can freeze it to throw it into the lentils for a rich bone broth. OMG it's like tasting magic!

[@LilyGarden528]

He didn't mention one very important thing. Sure that soup was yummy right out of the pot but we all know the next day it will be even better.😏 Love to make up a big pot of soup or stew for lunches. Always a yummy left over.

[@strugglemeals]

100%!

[@samaraisnt]

You can't make too much cus it gets gross sooo fast :( Major lentil problem!

[@weslieonsando1124]

@Smarmy Fellow underrated response

[@williamb2854]

True...spot on. Let all the flavors marinate over night in your fridge. You can also freeze small portions...makes for an easy lunch or dinner ...

[@mandime4798]

You have perfect timing, I'm dead broke but have frozen scraps, frozen mirapoe, lentils, and tomatoes. I know what I'm eating for days.

[@lrom5445]

You freeze mirepoix? I've thought about setting up some to freeze and have lying around, but I always worry that the freezing will make the veg too weepy. How does it come out for you?

[@mandime4798]

@@lrom5445 They aren't quite as crisp, but I freeze them with soups on mind. I had lots of celery left from Easter and so I picked up carrots and onions to bag up batches. Works best if you freeze this laid out on a cookie sheet and then bag them, but I've just chucked fresh pieces in a bag together, pressed the air out, and froze them and it works fine too.

[@strugglemeals]

Let us know how it turns out!

[@mandime4798]

@@strugglemeals delicious and absolutely what I needed to get through payday, thank you.

[@alonalon5064]

THIS is 'Addassi' and he stole the dish from other nations.

[@roshni2511]

Idk why you haven’t blown up on KZbin your content is amazing!! Wayyyyy better than buzzfeed tasty and up par with bon Appétit!

[@strugglemeals]

Thanks for the love!

[@FrankieCooks]

Roshni Rawat one day... one day

[@tickledtoffee]

Yes, the videos and recipes are wonderful, especially now!

[@koko-ul8tu]

Yes.agreed..to me those 2 are borderline obnoxious

[@LaGwenyvere]

What really makes this soup perfect: add a bit of lemon juice on top. Give it a try, a difference like day and night!

[@carltaylor4942]

I've lived like this for decades. Just checked my "larder" and there are 10 cans of tomatoes, ten packets of dried lentils and 6 jars of pre-cooked lentils. Other essentials are brown rice, wholemeal spaghetti and pre-cooked chick peas. Love this recipe and the advice about stock is priceless.

[@pennynickels5216]

I LOVE lentils! A pound, one onion, two celery stalks, three carrots ( or 5, I like chunks in every bite) equals at least ten meals! Freezes flat beautifully. Stretch out with broth, rice, veg ( Broc, kale, spinach), potatoes, better with sweet potatoes! Cheap eats. I do the same with great northern beans too.

[@calisongbird]

Great suggestions!

[@stefaniacattaneo3802]

I love this! As a teacher, I think that cooking without waste and on a budget with nutritious ingredients is a skill that should be taught in school. Cooking can be linked to the curriculum in so many ways: finance, math, social studies, science, world languages!

[@christawarrington3795]

Those cooked scraps can go to the compost bin for next year's garden (infinite additional meals) or can be fed to animals like chickens or pigs for many, many more additional meals.

[@adrenirushxaudri]

Yesss low waste/no waste for the win! Keep it up!

[@godsamazinggrace5331]

Esau traded his birthright for such a bowl of lentils soup !

[@rae.quillzwilltree8267]

i agree God grace is amazing and i rember reading that my dovation ( Bible reading) you Christian too?

[@MrAranton]

@@rae.quillzwilltree8267 What is graceful about one brother refusing to give another a bowl of soup when he's hungry unless he sells him his birthright first? When your brother is hungry you feed him and don't expect anything in return, because that's what brother should do: Help each other out in times of need. What Jacob did there to Esau was downright evil, and god going with it is not "amazing grace", it's despicable!

[@picantesworld7723]

Yup Esau did

[@SpecialKate8]

Just made curried lentil soup on Tuesday and I've been eating it all week. It's delicious!

[@godsamazinggrace5331]

Soups made from whatever scraps found in the fridge seemed yummy usually

[@rae.quillzwilltree8267]

I do this too yum

[@anudhadutta9708]

Soak the lentils even for 15 mins will cut the energy costs...leaving in the pot, even more. I would wash the lentils, though. Cheapest, favouring, is salt...if there is zero in the wallet. Great videos...Great guy.

[@Lucy00111]

I wanted to thank you so much for this recipe and your channel. We don't struggle per se, but our grocery bill is becoming outrageous. I think I'm giving my husband a heart attack by shopping at Whole Foods and so I started looking at ways to save money on our food bill. I found your channel and it is AMAZING. Thank you so much for these money saving tips!! I can't tell you enough how talented and smart you are! Your positivity to find a way to make a healthy and cheap meal is admirable! I made your lentil soup tonight and when I told my husband how much it cost per serving, he didn't believe me! He loved the soup! I added a splash of red wine vinegar that was suggested by one of your viewers. I showed him this video so he could see it really was this cheap to make a delicious soup. Now he's like "Are you listening to that Struggle guy?" 😂 Thank you!

[@cheesy_ground_beef]

Giving me lots of "Good Eats" Alton Brown vibes. Also great recipe!!

[@apparapanui]

I love how quick lentils cook. So much faster than beans!

[@Chris_G_541]

You have a really cool show. One recommendation with lentils is that you want to rinse them and look for rocks before cooking them.

[@Ericaaaaaaaaaa]

Right?! A chipped tooth and a trip to the dentist would make this meal a whole lot more than $0.32 a serving. 😂

[@orthohawk1026]

I vacuum seal all my legumes in mason jars, but first spread 'em out on a baking sheet and get rid of any rocks/dirt clods/etc. I find. Funny, in the many dozens of pounds of lentils I've bought over the years, I've only found pebbles 3 times.

[@mickeycraven1822]

Lentils with brown rice is my go to protein. A cup of each and 4 cups water. 40 minutes later, dinner.

[@mamagg2444]

Which colour lentils do you use, or does it work just as well with any of them?

[@mickeycraven1822]

MamaG G I use common brown. I think the others (red for example) break down and get lost.

[@MrAranton]

@@mickeycraven1822 If you cook red lentils for 40 minutes, they will disintigrate. But add them ten to fifteen minutes before the rice is done and red lentils will retain some shape and bite. But they're not strong on this even then. After all: Red lentils are what you get when you remove the outer shell of brown lentils, and the reason that's done, is exactly the fact that they cook and turn into mush much quicker.

[@mickeycraven1822]

MrAranton cool! I’ll give that a try. Thanks.

[@tabbycat5547]

Have you ever tried ezogelin soup? It's a Turkish soup that's made with red lentils, rice and fine bulgur. It's delicious!

[@andreaduranova5938]

You shouldn't add anything acidic (like tomatoes or vinegar) in the beginning of cooking lentils because then the skin can't properly break down and become tender. Acid goes really well with lentils but always make sure they're cooked before you add some. I'm a fan of your show all the food you make looks really tasty. 🍎

[@tamtam8499]

Mr. Frankie, I used to think lentils were a vegan 🌱 staple which meant no flavor but after watching your videos for a few years now, I’ve realized that lentils make for a delicious meal on a tight, budget. Thank you for your enthusiasm, understanding, and service!

[@lenatian1078]

omg I have lentils and don't wanna go do groceries and this was on my feed thanks frankie

[@Jacob_Roy]

I was looking for a idea to use up the lentils. In My Case I have bacon Im going to fry up and use the bacon fat to cook some mushrooms and sweet peppers along with some onions and garlic. Then tomorrow when I heat up some leftovers for lunch Ill top it with a fried egg which awakens leftovers.

[@strugglemeals]

Love that idea

[@danielw.7705]

This sounds like Mexican lentil soup. We always add bacon. Cilantro brightens the flavor too making it very delicious.

[@margueritekinchen6558]

You can also increase the broth by two cups at the beginning and 15 minutes before it is done add a half a bag of pasta (small pasta preferably, such as small shells). Cook until the pasta is done, you will probably need to increase the salt in the recipe.

[@erinhowett3630]

Ditali is a personal favorite pasta in soup.

[@estelleschneider9033]

Better to make the pasta separate..and add when heating up the soup..I have found..because the pasta breaks up when placed into the soup..try it..tastes better too

[@orthohawk1026]

@@estelleschneider9033 My grandma used to serve all her veg (her cabbage soup was fantabulous) and lentil soups with a half cup of cooked macaroni dumped in the bowl first.

[@nighttheraven]

I just made lentil soup the first time a few weeks ago! How funny. An awesome KZbind called Pick up Limes showed it. I love your simplified version ❤️ I put carrots instead of celery tho plus added potatoes and broccoli lol had a few dollars left over from rent

[@johncgibson4720]

This channel is underrated big time. So honest and great sense of humor.

[@Kel_Rod]

Great idea to have this Chanel. Lots of people don't even know how easy is to cook and keep the pantry full !

[@PC-bh9te]

This is brilliant recipe. Love the saving scraps idea. Thank you!

[@marizannegrobbelaar3643]

Please never stop this series! I have binge watched every episode! Love it, and love your energy!

[@patsymprice]

Awesome video.

[@anitraahrens905]

I love this lentil soup recipe. Thanx, Frankie!

[@ellatoler4046]

Beautiful!

[@bellamarisa]

Frankie, I love your videos! You make the recipes look easy less intimidating. Keep your great videos coming!! 😁

[@nanasplacepaula]

Oh love this and thanks for putting the amount and ingredients in the post!

[@ZOMBIEZAHNpakuto]

Brilliant! I just made red lentil dhal today, but I definitely need to try your lentil soup soon!

[@Quiscalus777]

Lentil soup is a Middle Eastern staple. Top the soup with some pita bread shallow fried in olive oil for some textural contrast. Sooo tasty!

[@glowmilk7948]

This channel is so valuable! Thank you so much

[@oliviagreen8853]

Lentil soup is my FAVORITE!! Homestyle taste, nutritious, hearty, and just amazing!! Plus it’s dirt cheap to make which is a bonus!

[@nhokonhokopuala]

You concept is awesome!

[@ruthkiser9693]

Thank you for the tips!👏👏 I started a flavor drawer. ☺️

[@Sirona279]

This video reminded me that I REALLY need to better about saving my veggie scraps. Also, side note for those who struggle with iron deficiency, lentils -brown, green, and black especially- are very high in iron. You can boost the content by adding some frozen spinach. A pack can cost from $0.39-1.29.

[@lightvisions22]

Awesome ! I love your channel 💕

[@Buttertoast1103]

This is really well put together. Subscribed!

[@AP-eq6fv]

you deserve way more attention than you're getting. thanks for the awesome videos!

[@susannminall7456]

I just found your show and truly enjoyed it. Finally, someone that cook's like me.

[@traceyrice]

Lentil soup is the best! Nice job!

[@ashleyidris]

What a great channel, you deserve all of the good things!!!!

[@saracronin89]

This is a fave of mine, it's cheap as heck, and it impressed my Italian grandpa, so it's a triple win. Thanks Frankie!

[@MannyG32968]

I love this show.. it's great!!!!

[@mosaidi8472]

3:50 I was all the way in the other end of the kitchen I felt that 😂😂😂

[@josieschmo4172]

Thank you for sharing! It's worth noting that it's best to sort and rinse lentils before cooking. Lentil and carrot soup is one of my favorite soups!

[@dennismoore8351]

This is my absolute favorite soup. I grow kale in my garden for this soup only. I add curry powder and harrisa. Fresh garlic from the garden and fresh ground black pepper. Kale in the bowl, soup on top. A little homemade pepper sauce and Fantastic.

[@em5691]

This guy deserves to have way more subs! Quality content.👌

[@kimhallums9166]

Excellent! Thank you very much.

[@devonsullivan5219]

I really enjoyed this video!

[@keaganpenrose-goodwin1408]

Yess Frankie posted

[@Kitty-wb1kf]

I made this soup today, it was delicious. Thanks for the recipe, it's a keeper.

[@thaton3guy100]

I just made this tonight, one the best tasting meals I have ever cooked. I love how it is only vegetables. I'm not vegetarian or vegan I can certainly appreciate meals made that way. People who dislike vegetables are childish and weird. I will definitely be making this meal again

[@aereoelvis]

Frank-ly, I think you are doing something amazing and important. And, you're precious. Please more and more content! please...

[@CD-wd2bd]

Wow!! This guy is great!!!

[@adrianinha19]

Wow thank you! Nice idea, I'll start getting can tomatoes

[@MadLynxReviews]

We made this last night and it was beyond delicious! Waking those spices up during the onion and celery saute really kicked up the flavor - it did the damn thing lol Thank you!

[@ricagiorgia]

i love lentil soup!! i use canned lentils tho bc they’re cheaper where i live

[@kathybennett4335]

This looks so good! I'm definitely doing this soon. Thanks! --- just put some of my black beans to soak overnight and I'm going to make this with some black beans add and make a vegan taco soup. You rock thanks so much!

[@Sandra-ww6oz]

Wow! Just WOW!!!!! Where’s this Guy been all my (cooking) life? I am now subscribed and my ladle I lay at your feet Oh Awesome One!😉🐨🇦🇺

[@GaragePrimo]

LENTIL FACTS: Did you know Canada is the #2 exporter of lentils? Did you know that lentils are one of the most efficient proteins in terms of land, cost, and CO2 emissions?

[@catherine4091]

Yooooo I have almost all of this stuff! Definitely making this tomorrow!

[@vernellalston1844]

I just found your show and am very impressed with your recipes, talent, and personality! I have never had lentil soup; I usually use pinto beans, but this looks really yummy and I'm planning to make it. I may serve it over rice for my grandson, who loves rice; actually, so do I...lol! With the high prices of food now, I really need your recipes more than ever! Thank you so much! 🙂

[@MiracleWinchester]

Beautiful Frankie

[@jeremypalmer5695]

Omg just found this channel. Looks awesome.

[@antoinetteblair4]

He’s adorable 😊

[@CamthalionSpirit]

This man is a literal blessing.

[@berhanegebriel3155]

I Like Your Recipe BUT ABOVE ALL Your honesty. Keep it up.

[@williamb2854]

Funny...happily single. Your fridge looks just like mine. You gave me some more great ideas...thanks.

[@desleykakoulidisgallaway3382]

I do this- I’m an improvisational cook as well- love that

[@doriswhite1348]

Thanks. I'll try this.

[@garlicgirl3149]

I know summer but I had a hankering for some soup. I found a Mexican Lentil soup recipe. Yummo! I never had lentils until an adult. My family just did not eat them. When I encountered other cultures that is how I learned about them and started to eat them. I do enjoy them in soup or salads.

[@sharu812]

This is the best show ever

[@veryberry39]

I have never made lentil soup in this way before, and now I really want to start up a pot of it. But it's almost 9pm so that's gonna have to wait. Thank you, good sir, for doing the lord's work!

[@miacarter4459]

Magnificent young man thank you. Had no idea to use onion skins🤯 New fan South UK 👏👏👏🤗😘😎

[@erinhowett3630]

This guy is so wholesome. I love this channel. The editing kind of reminds me of Bill Nye meets Nadia G's.

[@Pam_in_IN]

Yum! And a cap of apple cider vinegar at the end takes it up another notch. TFS

[@amichael3401]

If you don't have an immersion blender use the spoon to smash some of the tender lentils on the side of the pot you're cooking in. It's more work, but it does the same thing. I do this with bean soups too to make it nice and thicc

[@mollydooker9636]

Just found this channel, it’s bloody great. This is possibly the first time I’ve ever said this sober but ahem “ I’m going to attempt the soufflé . “

[@Justme-nt7xh]

Its like dal from india and tastes best with steamed rice

[@niallburgess7781]

If I were you I wouldn’t throw away the boiled vegetables. I’d just blend them and put them back in the soup as they’re filled with fiber and work as a thickening agent which make the soup more hearty and less watery.

[@KatarinaS.]

Or mash through the strainer. If the skins are left on the onions and garlic or any undesirable root ends are present, you probably wouldn't want to try to blend that up into the soup.

[@hmp9218]

This gives me Good Eats vibes! I love it!

[@SHrepairs]

This is the blues clues of adult cookery

[@hops226]

Amazing!!

[@Zein2009]

Something in water that's more flavourful than water😂😂😂 I love your videos!

[@sunflowerbaby1853]

Love me an easy breezy recipe!

[@Anne_p]

I added frozen kale and canned mushrooms to mine. amazing!

[@ElleE953]

Lentil soup is honestly one of the best things ever! Add a little olive oil, Parmesan, and crusty bread and I’m in heaven!!!

[@nicole071486]

Hes like a young Alton Brown. Food and science. Very informational!

[@TrophyGuide101]

My go to lentil soup is lentils, onion and carrots. Shred a potato in near the end to thicken that bad boy up and boom, hearty golden lentil soup. This one looks pretty good, will have to try it out.

[@rubyrose20159]

I haven’t even seen your video yet but I already hit “subscribe” because I love the title of your channel and I’m on a debt free journey so, yeah...struggling. 🙌🏼

[@aliakhamis8702]

Lentil soup is an arabic food staple, especially for chilly rainy days. Add lemon juice on top for extra zest!

[@samira.254]

OMG WHERE WAS THIS CHANNEL HIDING. As a uni student this is great thank you look forward to watching more videos.