While they might not appear especially riveting sitting in their simple plastic bag, lentils will surprise you. I like to compare them to the YouTube videos of celebrity musicians playing in subway stations in disguise. Judge them by their appearance only, and you’ll miss a star opportunity. Humble as it seems, the lentil is a total diva when it comes to nutritional prowess and culinary possibility. Lentils are loaded with vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, protein, and fiber. They’re also versatile. Since lentils are mild on their own, you can easily incorporate them into a variety of different dishes. From Indian-inspired recipes like this Curry Lentil Soup and Instant Pot Lentil Curry, to Thai-tastic ones like Slow Cooker Red Lentil Curry, this quiet legume is primed to take on bold flavor. Like any true great, however, lentils don’t have to be showy. Case-in-point: lentil soup. This Instant Pot Lentil Soup has long been one of my favorite recipes on my site, and it has become a reader favorite too. It’s rich and cozy, earnest but by no means bland. It’s exactly what I crave on a chilly night when I need my dinner to warm me to my bones and to be healthy too. Since not everyone owns an Instant Pot, I thought it was high time I created a slow cooker version. Both are fantastic. Whichever cooking vessel you choose, rest assured that you are making the best lentil soup recipe. You can make this soup on a lazy weekend and enjoy the tantalizing smell as it builds in your kitchen, then wafts into the living room and calls everyone to dinner. Or, you can set it and forget it on a weekday, then return home to a wholesome dinner that’s waiting just for you.
How to Make the Best Healthy Crockpot Lentil Soup
This hearty vegetable lentil soup is flavorful and filling. You can doctor it up with bacon or with ham if you like, but we adore the below vegetarian version just as it is.
The Ingredients
Veggies. The tried-and-true combination of onion, carrots, and celery makes the soup colorful, nutritious, and provides a backbone of flavor. Spices. Italian seasoning and smoked paprika are the powerhouse spices. The smoked paprika especially gives the soup complexity. Green Lentils. French green lentils are the best choice for this soup. You can also use brown lentils, but I do not recommend red lentils as they are very delicate and won’t hold up to the long cooktime in the crockpot. Fire-Roasted Tomatoes + Crushed Tomatoes. Fire-roasted tomatoes bring the heat and the crushed tomatoes provide richly flavored liquid for our soup. Vegetable Broth. Make sure to use low-sodium broth here to keep this soup from being overly salty. Parmesan Rind. A completely optional but AMAZING addition. As the soup warms, the rind releases delicious bursts of Parmesan flavor into the broth. Red Wine Vinegar. For balance, brightness, and pop. Don’t skip it! Fresh Parsley and Parmesan. My favorite toppings for this lentil soup! If you need to keep the soup dairy free, use nutritional yeast instead.
The Directions
IMPORTANT NOTE: You do not need to cook lentils before adding them to the slow cooker. Raw lentils cook well in the crock pot and will be tender by the time the soup is done. To prepare the lentils, simply rinse them to remove any dirt, then add raw lentils to the slow cooker with the other ingredients.
Recipe Variations
Crockpot Lentil Soup with Ham. Add 1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham to the slow cooker with the lentils. Cook as directed. Slow Cooker Lentil Soup with Bacon. Prepare 1/4 pound Baked Bacon, and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices. Stir almost all the bacon into the slow cooker with the lentils and cook as directed. Top each bowl of soup with remaining bacon pieces. Slow Cooker Lentil Soup with Sausage. Slice 2 pounds of kielbasa sausage into 1/2-inch pieces, and add the pieces to the slow cooker with the lentils. Cook as directed. To make a healthy spin on this variation, use chicken or turkey sausage. Vegan Crockpot Lentil Soup. Use nutritional yeast in place of the Parmesan. Gluten Free Lentil Soup. No changes needed! This recipe is naturally gluten free as written.
How to Store, Reheat, and Freeze Soup
To Store. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To Reheat. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a little water or additional broth to thin as needed. To Freeze. Place soup in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What to Serve with Crockpot Lentil Soup
Bread. My favorite side to pair with soups! This Rosemary Olive Oil Bread, Crock Pot Bread, or a crusty loaf from your favorite bakery would all be tasty. Vegetables. Serve your soup with a side of these healthy and delicious Sautéed Brussels Sprouts or Sauteed Cabbage. Salad. Winter Salad with Kale and Pomegranate or Winter Slaw would both be great paired with this soup.
Recommended Tools to Make This Recipe
Slow Cooker. This one has a “keep warm” function, which helps deter overcooking. Sharp Chef’s Knife. This is my most faithful kitchen companion.. Skillet. Perfect for sautéing veggies in this recipe.
