Description
This hearty Slow Cooker Lentil Soup is a nutritious and comforting meal perfect for any day. Loaded with vegetables, aromatic spices, and tender lentils, it simmers to perfection in your slow cooker, making it an effortless wholesome dish. Enhanced with fresh greens, lemon juice, and parsley, it offers a vibrant flavor and a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 carrots (about 1 cup), diced
- 4 celery ribs, diced
- 1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces (fresh or frozen)
- 1 pound baby potatoes, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Legumes and Canned Goods
- 1 1/2 cups dried brown or green lentils
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- Mineral salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Liquids
- 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth (plus more as needed)
- Juice of 1 lemon
Optional Additions and Garnishes
- 2 handfuls baby spinach or kale
- 1 cup chopped Italian parsley
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Place the diced onion, carrots, celery, green beans, baby potatoes, minced garlic, lentils, crushed tomatoes, spices, and broth into your slow cooker. Do not add the optional greens, lemon juice, parsley, salt, or pepper at this stage.
- Mix Well: Stir all the ingredients in the slow cooker to ensure they are evenly combined, helping flavors to meld during cooking.
- Cook Soup: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours or on LOW for 8 to 10 hours. This slow cooking will soften the lentils and vegetables, enriching the flavors throughout the soup.
- Add Greens: About 5 minutes before the cooking time is complete, stir in the optional baby spinach or kale. Allow them to wilt gently in the residual heat, adding a fresh and nutritious element to the soup.
- Season and Finalize: Season the soup with mineral salt and black pepper to your taste. Then, squeeze the juice of one lemon into the soup and stir well to brighten the flavors.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped Italian parsley. Serve immediately. This soup pairs wonderfully with homemade vegan cornbread, vegan naan, or artisan bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable broth for a vegan version or chicken broth for a richer flavor.
- If the soup thickens too much during cooking, add additional broth or water to reach desired consistency.
- The lemon juice added at the end helps to brighten and balance the rich flavors of the soup.
- Optional greens like spinach or kale add a boost of vitamins and minerals but can be omitted or substituted with other leafy greens.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours on HIGH or 8 to 10 hours on LOW
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: slow cooker lentil soup, vegetarian lentil soup, healthy lentil soup, vegetable lentil soup, easy slow cooker recipe, hearty soup, gluten free lentil soup
