We used to live about ten minutes away from a grocery store called Wegman’s. Now, if you live near a Wegman’s, there is no explanation necessary – it’s a great store! If you don’t live near one, the best way to describe it is a hybrid: they have the gourmet prepared foods, specialty items and health food section in addition to everyday staples at rock bottom prices. Not to mention they work really hard to source and stock local produce and bake all their own breads.
When I was pregnant with my son, I became obsessed with their Spicy Red Lentil Chili from the soup bar. I mean obsessed. My husband became BFF with the staff to make sure they had it featured at the soup bar for his bi-weekly stops on his way home from work.
Then I found out that Wegman’s posts many of their recipes online!
Now that we live on the other side of the country and nowhere near a Wegman’s, I need to make this soup every so often for a taste of home. I can’t just pop over and pick up a medium to-go with two crackers when the urge strikes.
I tweaked the recipe to make a much larger batch and make the steps a bit easier and less time-consuming. Even though this is called a Chili, this is much more like a soup to me.
This is fantastic served with some crispy crackers or crusty bread (as most soups are right?) on a cold day right out of a mug. I love this soup and am so glad I could share it with you all!
NOTES:
- I wouldn’t recommend subbing any other lentil as red lentils break down quickly during the cooking process and give this soup it’s amazing texture.
- Tabasco is the way to go – I have tried this with a variety of other hot sauces (Crystal, Sriracha, etc.) and it just doesn’t taste the same.
- Finally, about spiciness …
- for a HOT and Spicy version use 1.5 tablespoons of Tabasco.
- for a Medium version make the recipe as follows.
- for a Mild version, use 1/2 tablespoon of Tabasco.
Adapted From: Wegman’s Spicy Red Lentil Chili
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Wegmans Spicy Red Lentil Chili Recipe
- 2 cups red lentils rinsed and picked over
- 8 cups water divided
- 2 tablespoons earth balance or butter divided
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 2 stalks of celery chopped
- 5 to 6 cloves garlic chopped
- 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- 3/4 teaspoon cumin divided into 1/4 teaspoon and 1/2 teaspoon
- 1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce see note above
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 1/2 teaspoons sea salt divided into 2 teaspoons and 1/2 teaspoon
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chile powder divided into 1/4 tsp and 1/4 tsp
- 1/4 cup cornstarch + 1/4 cup hot water
- 1/2 green pepper ribs and seeds removed, diced
- In a small dish, measure 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 2 teaspoons sea salt, 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder and Tabasco sauce. Set aside.
- Sort lentils (pick out any stones / damaged lentils) and rinse.
Place celery and garlic in food processor. Next, place onion quarters in food processor.
- Wash green pepper, remove ribs and seeds. Cut into thin strips.
- Finally, mix cornstarch with hot water until well combined.
In a soup pot, combine lentils and 4 cups of water. Heat soup pot over medium low heat. Add Earth Balance until just melted.
- Add celery and garlic, cook another 4 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add small bowl of spices and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Now, toss in tomatoes.
Add vegetable stock and remaining 4 cups of water. Bring to a simmer. Once simmering, add in whole and pureed lentils with lentil liquid.
- Cook over a simmer 20 to 25 minutes, until lentils are tender. Once tender, bring to a boil and immediately add cornstarch / water mixture.
- Turn off heat; add green pepper, remaining 1 tablespoon of earth balance and remaining spices (1/4 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt.)
- Serve and Enjoy! Freezes great and even better the next day 🙂
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Hi – Thanks for the recipe. When you print out the recipe it does not match the instructions in the blog. It does not tell you what to do with the lentils once you put them in the pot. It reads as though the next step is to add the butter but it should say to cook the lentils somehow. Farther down in the recipe it says to add them back in. I think a step is missing. Thanks
I am looking into that now Oscar! Thanks for the heads up!!
Same here. I’ve made this several times and keep doing the same thing! Good news is, I don’t think it takes away from anything! I just remove half the lentils after cooking and purée. I suppose it may have a deeper taste sautéing the veggies, which you don’t get with the above directions. Maybe next time I’ll remember….
I love this and have made it several times. I think my texture is off and I’m possibly not blending the portion of lentils enough. But my question is, how long do you cook the lentils for? For whatever reason, I can see the instructions for that step. Thanks.
I have had this at Wegmans and it is delicious. I’m going to try to make it tomorrow. Why is yours green instead of red?
Isn’t it a good soup Leigh? I hope you love my version – I think it’s pretty close! It’s actually a yellow-ish red but these pictures are pretty old and were taken with bad lighting. I should take some new pics and update! Have a great day 🙂
Despite the warm weather, we were in the mood for chili… It’s Delicious (with a capital D)! Can’t wait to have leftovers 🙂
I am with you – I like soup and chili year-round!
This is one of the best soup bases I have come across. We love spicy, and this is such a tasty spice that it’s perfect for our household. I didn’t have lentils on hand, so after preparing the base, I added two cans of organic soup beans (I like Westbrae) and some of a quinoa/brown rice mixture I had made previously. Super quick and delicious for a cold fall day!!
Thanks Sarah! I love that soup as well and am so happy to hear how versatile the base is! 🙂
Hi = I made this lentil chile last night = just a few tweaks because of what I had on hand. So, chicken broth instead of veggie broth, added some left over chicken, and chipotle tabasco because I had it. Nice smoky flavor. Delicious, and so satisfying on a foggy, chilly Central Coast evening.
Those sound like delicious changes Carol! I may have to try it with some chipotles and chicken. That is seriously one of my favorite soups!
I love Wegman’s and I wish we had it in Manhattan. LOVE this lentil soup idea; yummy. Happy New Year!
Yes, a Wegmans in Manhattan would be fabulous. And a Target. Can you imagine? lol! Happy New Year!
made it tonight — it was a HIT!!! I’ll be stocking a serious amount of red lentils in the pantry this winter just to be able to make this up on a whim. Thanks Alyssa!!
Thanks Wendy! That is definitely one of my favorite soups!! So glad you enjoyed it.
Weggies is my favorite grocery ever and you’re right, their soups are amazing! I’ve never tried this one though — thanks for the recipe, it sounds incredible!
Oh man I miss Wegman’s!!!! I love their bakery too 🙂
Oh my goodness, even just reading the ingredients list I can tell that that is going to be one great soup. It’s just gone onto my ‘must try’ list – thanks for sharing.
Thank you! I hope you love it as much as I do 🙂