This tomato, lentil and thyme soup is a simple, hearty recipe that ticks all the boxes - healthy, budget-friendly and packed with flavour. Made easily in the Thermomix, it's a filling, protein-rich soup that's perfect for batch cooking, lunches or cosy evenings.
David and I both love traditional lentil soup and had never made this tomato, lentil and thyme soup in our Thermomix until September 2020. As the weather here had been a bit mixed in September, we decided on the colder days that 'soup season' had almost started!! I'd bought celery for other recipes and still had some left over in the fridge and had all of the other ingredients already. We're lucky to have fresh bay and thyme in our garden so I don't even need to go shopping for the herbs. This soup is a definite winner and gets made again and again...it's so delicious and comforting, and keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days.
If you don't have a Thermomix and would like to try making this recipe, please scroll down for the Non-Thermomix Instructions I have suggested.
Tips
- We have a large bay bush in our garden so use fresh bay leaves instead of dried.
- Optional variations:
- Spicy lentil soup - add chopped fresh red chilli or chilli flakes.
- Add greens - wilt in some spinach or add chopped kale for the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes - cook it on the hob - see Non-Thermomix Instructions below.
Red lentils are best as they cook quickly and soften well.
Yes - it's high in protein, fibre and nutrients.
Yes - it freezes well, for up to 3 months and is great for meal prep.
Lentils naturally thicken as they cook - you might need to add a splash of water or stock when reheating.
Yes - it's naturally vegan when using vegetable stock.
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How to make this Tomato, Lentil and Thyme Soup with or without the Thermomix
Recipe on UK Cookidoo
If you don't have the Cookidoo app for your Thermomix, follow the recipe below:
Ingredients
- 30g olive oil
- 160g onions, quartered
- 100g celery stalks, cut in pieces (3 cm)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 200g red split lentils
- 2 dried bay leaves (see Tips)
- 2 to 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only
- 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 800g vegetable stock (made using 2 stock cubes or pots)
- 1.5 tsp fine sea salt
- 0.5 tsp ground black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Place the oil, onions, celery and garlic in the mixing bowl then chop 5 seconds/speed 5. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl with the spatula, then sauté 5 minutes/ 100C/speed 1.
- Add the lentils, bay leaves, thyme, tomatoes, stock, salt and pepper then cook 30 minutes/100C/reverse/slow speed (spoon symbol). Remove the bay leaves before serving.
- Enjoy with some bread and butter or nice crusty bread!
Non-Thermomix Instructions
I'd suggest the recipe can easily be adapted using a chopping board, knife, large soup or casserole pot and the hob. My suggestions are as follows:
- Finely chop the onions, celery and garlic. In a large soup or casserole pot, heat the olive oil on a medium heat and add the chopped onions, celery and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the lentils, bay leaves, thyme, tomatoes, stock, salt and pepper then bring to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
- Enjoy with some bread and butter or nice crusty bread!


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Tomato, Lentil and Thyme Soup (Thermomix)
Ingredients
If you don't have the Cookidoo app for your Thermomix follow the recipe below:
- 30 g (2 tbsp) olive oil
- 160 g (5.6 oz) onions quartered
- 100 g (3.5 oz) celery stalks cut in pieces (3 cm)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 200 g (7.1 oz) red split lentils
- 2 dried bay leaves (see Notes)
- 2 to 3 sprigs fresh thyme leaves only
- 400 g (14 oz) tin chopped tomatoes
- 800 g (3 ½ cups) vegetable stock (made using 2 stock cubes or pots)
- 1.5 tsp fine sea salt
- 0.5 tsp ground black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Place the oil, onions, celery and garlic in the mixing bowl then chop 5 seconds/speed 5. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl with the spatula, then sauté 5 minutes/ 100C/speed 1.
- Add the lentils, bay leaves, thyme, tomatoes, stock, salt and pepper then cook 30 minutes/100C/reverse/slow speed (spoon symbol). Remove the bay leaves before serving.
- Enjoy with some bread and butter or nice crusty bread!
Notes
- We have a large bay bush in our garden so use fresh bay leaves instead of dried.
- Optional variations:
- Spicy lentil soup - add chopped fresh red chilli or chilli flakes.
- Add greens - wilt in some spinach or add chopped kale for the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.


















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