Slow Cooker Lentil Soup
This slow cooker lentil soup is super easy to make and can last all week. It’s delicious and hearty, making it perfect for fall and winter.
Why I love this slow cooker lentil soup
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.
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.
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.
Don’t waste your money trying a bunch of products. I’ve already tried them all, and I’m sharing my tried-and-true favorites.
Here’s what you’ll need to make it
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How to make slow cooker lentil soup
Add ingredients to slow cooker. Stirring everything together well.
Cook on low for 8 – 10 hours. You can also cook on high for 4-6 hours.
Serve. Make sure you remove the bay leaf and thyme stems before serving.
frequently asked questions: slow cooker lentil soup
Dried lentils need to absorb liquids to reconstitute themselves, soaking them does help speed along the process but for this recipe the lentils will be in the slow cooker with enough liquids to get the job done. No need to soak the lentils here.
Yes you can, they will become mushy and grainy if overcooked. Make sure to remove from the slow cooker when cooking time is up, or at least turn to warm and serve right away.
If you have cooked your lentils fully they should no longer be hard. You can try extending the cooking time, but make sure you have been storing them properly and that they are not too old because if they are old enough they will not soften properly.
More slow cooker recipes
- Slow cooker black beans
- White chicken chili
- Grape jelly meatballs
- Slow cooker beef tacos
- Pork and sauerkraut
More dairy free soups
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Slow Cooker Lentil Soup
This slow cooker lentil soup is super easy to make and can last all week. It’s delicious and hearty, making it perfect for fall and winter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
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 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 bay leaf
- 7 cups broth
- ¾ cup coconut milk
- 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.
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 7.7 g
- Sodium: 853.8 mg
- Fat: 5.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 48.8 g
- Fiber: 8.9 g
- Protein: 15.7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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Last Updated on February 9, 2023 by Melissa Belanger
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My 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!
Thanks 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?
I made it! Its great. Even the kids liked it. Thank you.
Thanks! So glad to hear 🙂
I would love to try this. what kind of lentils did you use?
Just regular brown lentils. I used a generic brand that I found at my grocery store.
I;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
You’re right. You don’t need to soak them overnight because the slow cooker will take care of everything! Enjoy!
I love my slow cooker. Set it and forget it.
16 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!
I 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.
So 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!
That sounds great!!
What type of broth?
Vegetable or beef broth, whichever suits your diet better!
Planning on making this tomorrow! Any nutritional information? Thank you!
I’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!
The recipe calls for 7 cups of broth but in the comments there’s mention of 16 cups. Which is correct!
If I want to add sausage and spinach, do I add it at the beginning with all ingredients?