For a fail-proof lunch or dinner, you can’t go wrong with these fantastic options for what to serve with lentil soup!
Lentil soup is hearty, wholesome, and incredibly tasty. It’s also budget-friendly and one of my all-time favorite soups that suits any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite at your desk or planning a special dinner party for friends, lentil soup always delivers.
But when it comes to choosing side dishes, what are the most fitting options? Let’s explore the best sides to serve with lentil soup!
1. Bombay Grilled Sandwich
I absolutely adore sandwiches and could eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner — all in one day! They’re an obvious choice when it comes to pairing with soups, and I can’t help but mention the Bombay grilled sandwich right from the start.
This street food staple is made with tomato, cucumber, potato, onion, cheese, and chat masala. It’s crisp, melty, moderately spicy, and just begs to be dipped. Undoubtedly one of the greatest sandwiches of all time, its Indian flavors beautifully complement lentil soup.
2. Homemade Naan Breads
Let’s continue with the Indian-inspired side dishes for lentil soup and consider homemade naan bread. It’s perfect for mopping up your soup and always feels like a special treat.
This recipe creates pillowy soft, bubbly, and chewy bread that’s a lot easier to make than you might think. While it does require some time for the dough to rise, the hands-on preparation takes only half an hour.
If you want to take it to the next level, you can even use the naan to make grilled cheese sandwiches. Trust me, it’ll be divine!
3. Simple Rocket Salad
A rocket salad is wonderfully simple, requiring only a handful of ingredients and no complicated dressing.
Just take fresh rocket leaves, add shavings of good quality Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil or balsamic, a squeeze of fresh lemon, and croutons for a satisfying crunch. Even if you claim not to cook, you can whip up this side dish in no time at all.
4. Coriander Lime Rice
Rice and soup make for a super satisfying meal, especially when you want something filling. I recommend trying coriander lime rice because it’s bright, vibrant, and requires no fancy or unusual ingredients.
Whether you’re having a lunchtime buffet or a get-together with friends, this dish is simple yet visually appealing on the table next to your soup.
5. Oven-Baked Courgette Fritters
Are you looking to incorporate more green veggies into your diet without settling for boring sides? Oven-baked courgette fritters might be the answer! These fritters include delicious feta cheese and can be ready to eat in just 45 minutes.
They’re also an excellent choice for lunchboxes, snacks, or even a light vegetarian evening meal with a side salad. These fritters are a tasty alternative to bread when paired with your soup and hold up perfectly for dipping and dunking.
6. Pull-Apart Garlic Bread
If you want to entice kids or picky eaters to enjoy lentil soup, pull-apart garlic bread is a must-try side dish. It’s the kind of accompaniment that everyone loves, and you can be certain that the whole loaf will disappear in no time!
An added bonus is that your home will smell absolutely divine while it bakes in the oven. It may even keep any vampires away!
7. Grilled Apple and Brie Flatbread
If you’re hoping to find something elegant and sophisticated to serve with lentil soup, look no further. These grilled apple and brie flatbreads remind me of understated bistros with impeccable menus, especially when made with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients.
8. Moroccan Chickpea Salad
If your lentil soup recipe is Moroccan-inspired, it makes perfect sense to serve it alongside a Moroccan salad. This chickpea salad is vibrant and bold, made using everyday ingredients like quinoa, carrots, and feta.
While it’s a great option for summer, it can also add some sunshine to a dull and rainy day!
9. Khobz (Moroccan Flatbread)
Another top choice of side dish, especially if your lentil soup incorporates Moroccan flavors and spices, is Khobz. This traditional Moroccan bread pairs well with various soups. It’s crusty with a dense interior and best when cut into thick wedges.
10. Oxo Roast Potatoes
Oxo roast potatoes are exquisite when dipped into a steaming bowl of lentil soup. While they’re made with beef stock cubes, you can substitute them for veggie stock cubes for equally tasty results.
11. Halloumi Fries
If you love the salty delight of Cypriot halloumi cheese, then halloumi fries are a fantastic choice to accompany your lentil soup. They offer a pleasant change from traditional chips, with a meaty texture that satisfies even the heartiest appetites.
For the ultimate experience, fry them on the hob in plenty of oil. However, if you prefer a healthier option or less mess, baking them in the oven works just as well.
12. Cheese and Bacon Scones
Scones are a delightful choice for dipping into soup, and I highly recommend trying these cheese and bacon scones. They’re perfect for packing in a lunchbox to enjoy with your soup later in the day. Trust me, you’ll get repeated requests for this recipe!
For non-meat eaters, simply leave out the bacon. But if you do eat meat, the bacon provides a wonderful flavor complement to lentils.
13. Sticky Onion and Cheddar Quiche
With a buttery pastry case and a creamy filling that’s just set, this sticky onion and cheddar quiche is my go-to choice for a substantial accompaniment to lentil soup. While making your own pastry is satisfying, let me share a little secret: using store-bought pastry works just as well.
No one will know the difference, and it saves time when you’re trying to balance family meals with everything else life throws at you. Save any leftovers and serve them the next day with tomato chutney, as the flavors intensify and become even better overnight.
14. Steak Kebabs
Steak kebabs always bring to mind sunny holidays in hot countries, barbecues at the beach, and enjoyable conversations with good company. They pair exceptionally well with the exotic flavors of lentil soup.
Thread pieces of steak onto skewers with chopped veggies like onions and peppers, season with your favorite spices, and grill until cooked through and lightly charred. If you prefer, you can substitute the steak with chicken, pork, or halloumi.
15. Falafel
Falafel is cheap, easy to make, and when served with lentil soup, it creates a mega-tasty lunch without much fuss. Simply combine chickpeas with ingredients like onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, and fresh coriander. Mold the mixture into balls and fry them in a hot pan until firm and golden brown.
Serve your cooked falafels on their own or stuff them into a pita alongside chopped salad veggies and more fresh herbs.
16. Cheesy Spinach Feta Flatbreads
This cheesy spinach feta flatbread recipe requires ingredients you likely already have at home. Yet, it produces an impressive side dish suitable even for fancy dinner parties. Spinach and feta are a match made in heaven, and they’re even better when paired with a bowl of lentil goodness.
These flatbreads are also great on their own for a satisfying lunch. Mastering this recipe will provide you with more options beyond just soup. They’re delightful served with a simple green salad or even grilled meats.
17. Bombay Potatoes
Let’s wrap things up with another tasty Indian side dish that pairs perfectly with lentil soup. Bombay potatoes are slightly spicy and utterly delicious. I love serving a bowl of them in the middle of the table when preparing a soup lunch.
If you prefer, you can make this side dish just one option alongside your soup and other Indian bites like samosas, pakoras, and onion bhajis.
In Conclusion
A bowl of lentil soup deserves some big-flavored side dishes, and some of the best contenders include:
- Oxo roast potatoes
- Falafel
- Sticky onion and cheddar quiche
- Grilled apple and brie flatbreads
- Oven-baked courgette fritters
Do you have any personal favorites you’d add to the list? Leave a comment and let us know!
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