Perfect Pairings: Discover the Top 7 Sides for Lentil Soup

Lentils are known as one of the most nutritious cereals there are.

Almost every culture has its version of lentil soup that is usually the heart of their cuisine.

Any kind of soup is considered healthy and nutritious, but lentils are in a different league by themselves- because of their rich protein content.

Usually, this soup is made with vegetables and lentils.

However, in some cultures, meat is added to increase the flavor profile and the nutrition content.

This healthy soup can be made easily at home and is best eaten warm.

Also, you can play with the spice levels as you wish.

However, ensure that the other flavors don’t overpower the taste of the lentils.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Lentil Soup?

Lentils are best eaten as a component in a dish or meal.

They make for excellent substitutes for protein in case you have a plant-based diet.

There are a number of dishes you can have alongside your lentil soup; however, some dishes best others by far.

Below is a compilation of 7 different sides you can combine with your lentil soup to make for excellent meal combos.

However, you can also serve two or more at once.

When serving lentil soup, pay attention to the texture and consistency.

Certain side dishes taste better with creamier soups and others with watery soups.

Read ahead to see what all you can serve with the classic lentil soup to make it a full meal.

What To Serve with Lentil Soup? 7 Best Side Dishes

Many sides go well with Lentils, however, some of the below dishes taste far better than anything else with Lentils.

1 – Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins

Cornbread generally goes really well with any kind of soup.

Lentil soup is no different.

However, for a twist, let us add some jalapeno into the mix and make some muffins.

The spicy jalapeno and sweet taste of honey and brown sugar are the real kickers in the cornbread muffin mix.

It is an easy recipe that can be made at home and does not overpower the taste of your lentil soup in any way.

Rather this combination is sure to amp up our beloved Lentil soup.

2 – Cilantro Rice

For generations, rice has been a faithful sidekick to the beautiful Lentils.

However, cilantro rice is known to bring a little more flavor to your meal table.

This is a very easy dish to make- given that you already know how to make rice.

Just let the butter melt, add the onion powder, and then the chopped cilantro.

When the cilantro fragrances fill your nostrils, add the rice and stir.

The melted butter combined with the fragrance of the dried onion and cilantro gives a beautiful aroma to your rice.

3 – Asian or Middle Eastern Flatbreads

Flatbreads are a known staple in Asian and Middle-Eastern countries.

Any kind of flatbread goes well with many different kinds of soups and gravies.

Whether it be the simple Indian Roti, buttered up Naan, or the Mediterranean Pita bread, you can be sure that it’ll make a great addition to your Lentil soup.

The kind of side dishes served also matters on the consistency of your soup.

If your soup is a little runny, consider serving rice on the side.

However, if it has a thicker, creamier consistency, you can prefer flatbreads over others.

Either way, it all depends on your tastes and preferences.

4 – Tartines

Tartines, or open sandwiches, are another loved dish that can be a fancy addition to your Lentil soup.

These open sandwiches can have all kinds of toppings- meat, cheese, veggies, and fruits.

It all depends on how you prepare it.

Make sure you have good quality bread to make tartines.

The bread used for making tartines is traditionally hand-made, contains eggs, and is toasted before adding the toppings.

The key is to have an idea of the kinds of toppings you want, get the bread, and start to prepare them.

5 – Stir-Fried Vegetables

Stir-fries are a beautiful combination with Lentils.

Many countries have their own version of stir-fries that go really well with Lentils.

The key to getting an evenly cooked stir-fry is to cook all the hard vegetables first- like carrots and broccoli.

Also, make sure you cut the veggies proportionately to each other.

Use colorful veggies to make it more tempting.

In short, hardly anything can compare to stir-fried veggies with Lentil soups.

6 – Green Salads

Green salads, as the name suggests, is a salad with mostly greens.

That is, the green component is higher than other colors.

In such salads, you can use avocados, spinach, lettuce, and cucumbers.

Make sure you have the dressing ready to toss these veggies in.

Additionally, onions and tomatoes also work really well in green salads.

Some people also like to add whole olives- as a personal preference.

However, while going for green salads, make sure your greens are younger- that way, the taste will be milder.

Older greens are bitter and, therefore, not suitable for salads.

7 – Spicy Mashed Eggplant

Eggplants are one of the most loved vegetables all around the world.

Mostly they are eaten and incorporated into various dishes.

However, their star factor comes out when they are roasted and mashed with spices.

This dish is best eaten with rice, flatbreads along with lentil soup.

If you are making it for the first time, make sure you do not char the eggplants while roasting.

The delicious smoky flavor, when combined with aromatic spices, gives it a whole new taste level.

Combine it with your lentil soup, and no combination will ever come close.

Conclusion

Lentils are common in all parts of the world.

They are eaten as soups, incorporated in fries, and cooked with vegetables and meat.

But the most common way of eating lentils is soup.

Also, eating lentil soup without any side dishes in most cultures seems unacceptable.

There is always something or the other prepared to accompany lentils.

The above 7 dishes make great combinations with lentils; however, all around the world, there will be so many other types of dishes and sides that can be tough competition for other combos.

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