Homemade Lentil Soup Cost Calculator

See how much homemade lentil soup costs per serving vs. canned or restaurant.

Lentils (per lb bag price)

Lentils used per batch (oz)

Vegetables — onion, carrots, celery (total cost)

Broth or stock used (total cost)

Garlic, cumin & other spices (total cost)

Servings the batch makes

Canned lentil soup price per can (optional)

Try a common case:

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does homemade lentil soup cost per serving?

With the default prices (12 oz of lentils at $1.89 a pound, $2.50 of vegetables, $1.99 of broth and $0.50 of spices) the pot costs about $6.41, or roughly $1.07 a serving for 6 servings. Bigger pots cost less per bowl because lentils and water stretch cheaply.

Is homemade lentil soup cheaper than canned?

At the defaults, yes: about $1.07 a serving versus $2.49 for a can, saving around 57 percent. Use the Premium canned preset to compare against a more expensive brand.

How many servings does a standard lentil soup recipe make?

A recipe using one pound (16 oz) of dried lentils typically yields 6 to 8 servings of about 1.5 cups each. If you use a 12-oz portion of lentils, expect 5 to 7 hearty bowls depending on how thick you make the soup and whether you serve it with bread.

Is it cheaper to make lentil soup from scratch or buy canned?

Homemade lentil soup is almost always cheaper per serving. A batch made from dried lentils, fresh vegetables, and broth typically costs $5 to $8 and yields six servings — roughly $0.80 to $1.35 each. Canned lentil soup from brands like Progresso or Pacific Foods typically costs $2.49 to $3.99 per can, with one to two servings per can, putting the per-serving cost at $1.25 to $2.70.

Do red and green lentils cost the same?

In most grocery stores, red and green lentils are priced nearly identically — usually $1.50 to $2.50 per pound — so the variety you choose has little effect on the total soup cost. Red lentils cook faster (about 20 minutes) and break down into a creamier texture, while green lentils hold their shape for a chunkier soup and take 30 to 40 minutes.

How can I reduce the cost of homemade lentil soup even more?

Buy dried lentils from the bulk bin section of a natural food store, which is often 20 to 40% cheaper than packaged bags. Use homemade vegetable or chicken broth (free if made from vegetable scraps or leftover chicken bones). Buy carrots and celery as whole vegetables rather than pre-cut packs, and make a double batch to spread ingredient costs over more servings.

How does homemade lentil soup compare to restaurant lentil soup in cost?

Restaurant lentil soup typically costs $6 to $14 per bowl at casual dining restaurants and up to $16 to $20 at upscale spots, not counting tax and tip. Homemade lentil soup made from scratch usually costs under $1.50 per serving in ingredients — making it 5 to 15 times cheaper per bowl than restaurant soup.

How Much Does Homemade Lentil Soup Actually Cost?

Lentil soup is one of the most budget-friendly meals you can make from scratch. A single pound of dried red or green lentils — typically priced between $1.50 and $2.50 — yields enough for a full pot of soup feeding six or more people. Add in the aromatics (onion, carrots, celery, garlic) and a box of vegetable or chicken broth, and you are usually looking at a total batch cost of $5 to $8 for a recipe that serves six hearty bowls.

That puts homemade lentil soup in the range of $0.80 to $1.40 per serving in most parts of the United States — a fraction of the $2.49 to $3.99 you might pay for a name-brand canned lentil soup.

Red Lentils vs. Green Lentils: Does the Type Change the Cost?

Red lentils and green lentils are priced similarly in most grocery stores, so the type you choose has minimal impact on total cost. Red lentils dissolve into a silky, creamy soup and cook in about 20 minutes — no soaking required. Green lentils hold their shape and create a chunkier, more textured soup, but take 30 to 40 minutes to fully soften.

Key Ingredients and Typical Costs

Dried lentils (1 lb bag): $1.50–$2.50
Yellow onion: $0.50–$0.80 each
Carrots (2–3 medium): $0.40–$0.70
Celery (2–3 stalks): $0.30–$0.50
Garlic (3–4 cloves): $0.20–$0.35
Ground cumin and other spices: $0.20–$0.50
Broth (32 oz carton): $1.99–$3.49

Stretching the Value Further

Making a double batch costs only marginally more in spices and broth, and cuts your per-serving cost even further. Homemade lentil soup also freezes exceptionally well for up to three months, making large batches a practical meal-prep strategy.

Cost per serving by number of servings

Homemade lentil soup cost per serving when the same $6.41 pot is divided into different numbers of servings (canned soup $2.49 per serving)
Servings from the pot	Cost per serving	Saving vs canned
4 servings	$1.60	$0.89 per serving (36%)
6 servings	$1.07	$1.42 per serving (57%)
8 servings	$0.80	$1.69 per serving (68%)
10 servings	$0.64	$1.85 per serving (74%)
12 servings	$0.53	$1.96 per serving (79%)

Pot used: 12 oz lentils at $1.89 a pound, $2.50 vegetables, $1.99 broth and $0.50 spices. Change the numbers above to match your own receipt.