Comforting Slow Cooker Lentil Soup – 5 Ingredients, Easy Prep
This Slow Cooker Lentil Soup is a cozy, nourishing meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. Packed with protein-rich lentils, hearty vegetables, and flavorful spices, it’s a dish that fills you up without weighing you down. Plus, it’s incredibly simple to make. All you need to do is toss the ingredients into your slow cooker and let the magic happen. The best part? It’s both vegan and gluten-free, making it a great option for various diets. Whether you're meal prepping or craving a comforting bowl of soup, this recipe has you covered. Enjoy it with a slice of crusty bread or on its own for a wholesome, satisfying meal!
What Makes This Recipe So Good?
- Hands-off cooking – Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work.
- Hearty and filling – Packed with protein-rich lentils and nutritious veggies.
- Budget-friendly – Made with simple, inexpensive ingredients.
- Vegan and gluten-free – Perfect for a variety of dietary needs.
- Meal prep friendly – Great for leftovers or make-ahead meals.
- Customizable – Add your favorite spices or veggies to suit your taste.
- One-pot wonder – Minimal clean-up with everything cooked in the slow cooker.
Key Ingredients
- Lentils – The star of the soup, packed with protein and fiber.
- Carrots – Adds natural sweetness and texture.
- Celery – Provides a savory, aromatic base.
- Onion – Essential for flavor depth.
- Garlic – Enhances the savory notes of the soup.
- Diced tomatoes – Adds acidity and richness.
- Vegetable broth – The flavorful liquid base.
- Spices – Cumin, thyme, and bay leaves for warmth and complexity.
- Olive oil – Adds richness and a subtle flavor.
- Salt and pepper – To taste, balancing the flavors.
Chefs Helpful Tips
- Rinse the lentils – Always rinse lentils before cooking to remove any debris and improve texture.
- Sauté aromatics first – For deeper flavor, sauté the onion, garlic, and celery in a pan before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Use low-sodium broth – Control the salt levels by using low-sodium vegetable broth, then adjust seasoning to taste.
- Layer the ingredients – Place heartier vegetables like carrots and celery at the bottom of the slow cooker for even cooking.
- Don’t overcook the lentils – Check for doneness toward the end of the cooking time to avoid mushy lentils.
- Add greens at the end – Stir in fresh spinach or kale during the last 10 minutes for added nutrients and color.
- Blend for a creamy texture – For a creamier soup, blend a portion of the soup with an immersion blender or regular blender.
- Adjust seasoning last – Always taste and adjust seasoning after the soup has finished cooking for the best flavor balance.
- Freeze for later – This soup freezes well, so make extra and store in freezer-safe containers for future meals.
Recipes You Must Try…
This Slow Cooker Lentil Soup is a cozy, nourishing meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. Packed with protein-rich lentils, hearty vegetables, and flavorful spices, it’s a dish that fills you up without weighing you down. Plus, it’s incredibly simple to make. All you need to do is toss the ingredients into your slow cooker and let the magic happen. The best part? It’s both vegan and gluten-free, making it a great option for various diets. Whether you're meal prepping or craving a comforting bowl of soup, this recipe has you covered. Enjoy it with a slice of crusty bread or on its own for a wholesome, satisfying meal!
- 1 1/2 cups dried lentils (rinsed)
- 3 carrots (peeled and chopped)
- 2 celery stalks (chopped)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can or 14.5oz diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale (optional, stirred in at the end)
- Prepare the ingredients
Rinse the lentils under cold water, chop the carrots, celery, and onion, and mince the garlic.
- Sauté the aromatics (optional)
For enhanced flavor, heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, and celery. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add ingredients to the slow cooker
In the slow cooker, combine the lentils, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, diced tomatoes (with juices), vegetable broth, cumin, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the soup
- Set the slow cooker on low and cook for 6-8 hours.
- Or set it on high and cook for 4-5 hours until the lentils and vegetables are tender.
- Stir in greens (optional)
If using spinach or kale, stir it in during the last 10 minutes of cooking until wilted.
- Taste and adjust seasoning
Before serving, taste the soup and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Remove bay leaves
Discard the bay leaves before serving.
- Serve
Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy as is or with a slice of crusty bread!
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 250kcal
- Calories from Fat 35kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 4g7%
- Saturated Fat 0.5g3%
- Sodium 500mg21%
- Potassium 600mg18%
- Total Carbohydrate 42g15%
- Dietary Fiber 15g60%
- Sugars 6g
- Protein 14g29%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.