Dinner

Slow Cooker Lentil Soup with Vegetables and Herbs Recipe

Bylina Carter January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Lentil Soup is a hearty and comforting meal perfect for busy days. Packed with vegetables, spices, and nutritious lentils, it’s easy to prepare and full of flavor. Just set it and forget it until mealtime arrives.

A bowl of thick lentil soup filled with visible slices of orange carrots and lentils in a rich brown broth sits in a white bowl with a dark handle. The top layer is covered generously with bright green chopped scallions, adding freshness and color contrast. A spoon rests inside the bowl, partly submerged in the soup, showing a scoop of lentils and carrot slices. Around the bowl, there are slices of light brown toasted bread on the left side, a small white round plate with a black pattern holding chopped scallions and half a lemon wedge at the lower left corner, and a small wooden cup with a pink flower and green garnish near the top right. The background is a white marbled texture, and a green cloth napkin is casually placed near the bowl's handle. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 medium onion, diced
3 carrots (about 1 cup), diced

4 celery ribs, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces (fresh or frozen)
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes

1 pound baby potatoes, diced
1 1/2 cups dried brown or green lentils
2 teaspoons paprika

2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon coriander
8 cups chicken or vegetable broth (plus more as needed)
Optional: 2 handfuls of baby spinach or kale

Mineral salt and black pepper, to taste
Juice of 1 lemon
1 cup chopped Italian parsley

Instructions

Step 1: In the slow cooker, combine the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, green beans, crushed tomatoes, baby potatoes, lentils, paprika, oregano, thyme, cumin, coriander, and broth. Stir well to mix all ingredients evenly.
Step 2: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on HIGH for 4–5 hours or on LOW for 8–10 hours, until the lentils and vegetables are tender.
Step 3: About 5 minutes before the soup has finished cooking, stir in the optional spinach or kale to let it wilt.

Step 4: Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Squeeze in the lemon juice and give the soup a final stir.
Step 5: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped Italian parsley. Serve hot and enjoy alongside your favorite bread.

Tips & Variations

For a vegan version, use vegetable broth and omit any animal-based ingredients.

Add a pinch of chili flakes for a spicy kick.
If you prefer a creamier texture, blend part of the soup before serving.
Swap baby potatoes for sweet potatoes for a slightly sweeter soup.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if it thickens too much. This soup also freezes well—freeze in portions for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

A close-up of a dark brown textured soup bowl with a handle, filled with a warm orange broth with visible chunks of vegetables like carrots and green beans, topped with a generous layer of bright green chopped scallions scattered on top, and a spoon resting inside near the right edge of the bowl, all placed on a green cloth with a white marbled surface background. In the blurred background, there is another bowl and a small light brown container holding sliced garlic. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use canned lentils instead of dried?

Freshly cooked dried lentils work best for texture and flavor, but if using canned lentils, add them during the last 30 minutes of cooking to avoid overcooking.

Can I prepare this soup without a slow cooker?

Yes, you can cook the soup on the stovetop in a large pot. Simmer gently for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until lentils and vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

lina Carter