And just like that, it’s cold outside. It happens every year. The summer feels like it’s taking forever, and then all of a sudden I need slippers in the morning and we can’t even have the windows open. I’m not complaining. I love this cold, but some soup definitely helps.
More dairy free soups: garden vegetable soup / soupe au pistou / turkey sausage and kale soup
When we were in Kazakhstan, one of the restaurants served this amazing lentil soup. It seemed like one of the best things I’d ever tasted, especially when we were struggling to find groceries some days. It was so savory and so flavorful, but I still haven’t nailed down what made it so great. Even this slow cooker lentil soup doesn’t compare, but, it’s amazing, in it’s own way. I’m starting to think there was something a little sketchy in it, like an insane amount of MSG or something.
Either way, this soup is insanely easy to make, and it’s hearty, making it perfect for fall. I made this and we ate it for lunch all week.
Slow Cooker Lentil Soup
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 quarts
Ingredients
- 1 16-ounce package dried lentils
- 1 cup diced sweet onion
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 4 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 bay leaf
- 7 cups broth
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a slow cooker, stirring to combine.
- Cook on low for 8 – 10 hours (or high for 4 – 6).
- Remove bay leaf and thyme stems before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 0
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
17 Comments
Shannon
September 28, 2016 at 12:51 pmMy goodness, Melissa! These lentil soup pictures are absolutely stunning! I always find it hard to photograph bean-based soups and stews but you have really done justice to the deliciousness that is lentils. The recipe sounds easy and tasty too!
Melissa Belanger
September 28, 2016 at 1:04 pmThanks Shannon! They are hard to photograph. Some how they turned out, but this was such a last minute recipe, I’m surprised they did. It always turned out that those have the best pictures, doesn’t it?
Ray
October 4, 2016 at 7:48 pmI made it! Its great. Even the kids liked it. Thank you.
Melissa Belanger
October 4, 2016 at 9:13 pmThanks! So glad to hear 🙂
Sandra
October 15, 2016 at 5:54 amI would love to try this. what kind of lentils did you use?
Melissa Belanger
October 15, 2016 at 9:08 amJust regular brown lentils. I used a generic brand that I found at my grocery store.
Dave zilkowski
October 16, 2016 at 6:41 amI;m new to using a slow cooker – I see There is not mentioning of soaking the lentils overnight, can I assume I don’t need to do that because of the length thei are in the slow cooker?
thanks
Melissa Belanger
October 16, 2016 at 8:25 pmYou’re right. You don’t need to soak them overnight because the slow cooker will take care of everything! Enjoy!
Platt College
October 22, 2016 at 9:27 pmI love my slow cooker. Set it and forget it.
Kim
November 4, 2016 at 11:49 am16 cups (4 quarters) seems like a lot – not sure my cooker holds that… am I misreading your directions? hoping to make it tonight for tomorrow 🙂 Thanks so much!
Melissa Belanger
November 4, 2016 at 1:07 pmI have a 6 quart slow cooker, and it almost fills it up to the top once it’s cooked. Most slow cookers are 6 quarts, but you should check to make sure yours is.
Amber
December 24, 2016 at 8:27 amSo very good! I added some sweet Italian sausage & a whole box of broth to thin it out some. Added a bit more cumin due to extra liquid. Husband did a backflip!
Melissa Belanger
December 24, 2016 at 3:53 pmThat sounds great!!
Georgia
November 1, 2017 at 5:55 pmWhat type of broth?
Melissa Belanger
November 6, 2017 at 2:35 pmVegetable or beef broth, whichever suits your diet better!
Elizabeth
December 1, 2017 at 7:48 pmPlanning on making this tomorrow! Any nutritional information? Thank you!
Melissa Belanger
December 4, 2017 at 12:34 pmI’m sorry. I’m not providing nutrition information at this time. When I find a solution that seems reliable and accurate, I would be happy to, but I’m still searching for the right tool right now. Sorry I can’t be more helpful!