Slow Cooker Lentil Soup Recipe

Miriam Hahn/Mashed By Miriam Hahn AND Mashed Staff/June 28, 2021 11:06 am EST

Perfecting a healthy home-cooked meal can be a tricky task. After all, the last thing you want to do after working all day is to come home and dirty up your kitchen, let alone take the time to whip up a nutrient-dense meal. Whether you commute to work or grind it out at home, recipe developer Miriam Hahn’s mouth-watering slow cooker lentil soup recipe can help you solve this dilemma for good. And, no, this dish doesn’t take a top chef to make.

“I would call this recipe easy,” Hahn said. “You really just dump everything in and go. Just a little chopping is involved, and you can easily do that in the food processor if that’s easier. I find it pretty quick to chop by hand.” The best part about this lentil soup recipe (outside of the taste, of course) is that it’s ideal for any time and day of the week. “It is a great meal prep item to make on a Sunday and have all week,” Hahn said. “Then it is just a quick heat up for a great meal. As a wellness coach, I love using lentils since they are high in so many minerals along with a great source of plant-based protein. They keep you full!”

Gather the ingredients

Miriam Hahn/Mashed

Before you can dive into this dish, you’ll need to gather the ingredients for your slow cooker lentil soup recipe. You’ll need green or brown dried lentils (rinsed), a chopped onion, chopped carrots, chopped celery stalks, and minced garlic cloves. You’ll also need ground cumin, curry powder, thyme, salt, red pepper flakes, black pepper, tomato paste, and vegetable broth (or any type of broth, and you can add more if you want a thinner soup). Rounding out this recipe is spinach and lemon juice.

You can also top the finished product with fresh basil or Italian parsley and Parmesan if you desire even more flavor.

Put the ingredients in the slow cooker

Miriam Hahn/Mashed

If you haven’t done so already, now’s the time to chop the vegetables for the soup. Once all your ingredients are prepared, you’ll then put them in the slow cooker. However, save the spinach and the lemon juice for a later step.

Then, stir the soup contents to combine everything. And that’s it! The hard part is over, and a nutritious meal is right around the corner.

Cook the soup

Miriam Hahn/Mashed

Now that all the ingredients have been prepared, placed in the slow cooker, and mixed, it’s time to let the slow cooker do its magic. You’ll now cook the soup for five hours on high. If you prefer, you can opt to cook the soup for eight to 10 hours on low. Either is fine — it just depends on how long you want the soup to cook for and how long you’re willing to wait for your savory lentil soup.

Add the final touches to the lentil soup

Miriam Hahn/Mashed

When the cooking time has passed and the soup is done, you’ll stir in the spinach and lemon juice. And then you can serve and enjoy! “If you wanted to check and see if it is done, yes, you would check to see if the carrots are tender and the lentils are soft but still holding together (not crunchy),” Hahn said when asked how to know when the soup is finished.

If you want to add even more flavor, now’s the time to top the soup with fresh basil or Italian parsley and Parmesan. “Side note: The lemon that you add at the end adds so much to the flavor, so don’t skip this step,” Hahn exclaimed.

Pair a bowl of lentil soup with your favorite bread

Miriam Hahn/Mashed

Although this lentil soup is a meal in itself, bread is a great addition to this recipe. “I do like it with bread, and I usually serve it with a big green salad with lots of raw vegetables,” Hahn said. “If I have fresh basil, I love adding that on top. The soup is full of protein and fiber, so it is just fine on its own. I often have this type of hearty soup for lunch.”

Slow Cooker Lentil Soup Recipe

4.9 from 15 ratings

Fill 202

							Print

The best part about this lentil soup recipe (outside of the taste, of course) is that it’s ideal for any time and day of the week.

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 5 hours

Servings 8 servings

Total time: 5.03 hours

					Ingredients

1 ½ cup green or brown dried lentils, rinsed 1 onion, chopped 4 carrots, chopped 4 celery stalks, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon curry powder 1 teaspoon thyme 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes ½ teaspoon black pepper ¼ cup tomato paste 6 cups vegetable broth (or any type of broth, add more if you want a thinner soup) 2 cups spinach Juice from one lemon

					Optional Ingredients

Fresh basil or Italian parsley and Parmesan for topping

					Directions

Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, except for the spinach and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Cook for five hours on high or eight to 10 hours on low. When it’s done, stir in the spinach and lemon juice. If desired, you can top the soup with fresh basil or Italian parsley and Parmesan. Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories per Serving 166

Total Fat 0.8 g

Saturated Fat 0.1 g

Trans Fat 0.0 g

Cholesterol 0.0 mg

Total Carbohydrates 31.5 g

Dietary Fiber 6.4 g

Total Sugars 4.5 g

Sodium 430.0 mg

Protein 10.4 g

							The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
						






											Rate this recipe

Slow Cooker Lentil Soup Recipe

Miriam Hahn/Mashed

By Miriam Hahn AND Mashed Staff/June 28, 2021 11:06 am EST

Perfecting a healthy home-cooked meal can be a tricky task. After all, the last thing you want to do after working all day is to come home and dirty up your kitchen, let alone take the time to whip up a nutrient-dense meal. Whether you commute to work or grind it out at home, recipe developer Miriam Hahn’s mouth-watering slow cooker lentil soup recipe can help you solve this dilemma for good. And, no, this dish doesn’t take a top chef to make.

“I would call this recipe easy,” Hahn said. “You really just dump everything in and go. Just a little chopping is involved, and you can easily do that in the food processor if that’s easier. I find it pretty quick to chop by hand.” The best part about this lentil soup recipe (outside of the taste, of course) is that it’s ideal for any time and day of the week. “It is a great meal prep item to make on a Sunday and have all week,” Hahn said. “Then it is just a quick heat up for a great meal. As a wellness coach, I love using lentils since they are high in so many minerals along with a great source of plant-based protein. They keep you full!”

“I would call this recipe easy,” Hahn said. “You really just dump everything in and go. Just a little chopping is involved, and you can easily do that in the food processor if that’s easier. I find it pretty quick to chop by hand.”

The best part about this lentil soup recipe (outside of the taste, of course) is that it’s ideal for any time and day of the week. “It is a great meal prep item to make on a Sunday and have all week,” Hahn said. “Then it is just a quick heat up for a great meal. As a wellness coach, I love using lentils since they are high in so many minerals along with a great source of plant-based protein. They keep you full!”

Gather the ingredients

Before you can dive into this dish, you’ll need to gather the ingredients for your slow cooker lentil soup recipe. You’ll need green or brown dried lentils (rinsed), a chopped onion, chopped carrots, chopped celery stalks, and minced garlic cloves. You’ll also need ground cumin, curry powder, thyme, salt, red pepper flakes, black pepper, tomato paste, and vegetable broth (or any type of broth, and you can add more if you want a thinner soup). Rounding out this recipe is spinach and lemon juice.

You can also top the finished product with fresh basil or Italian parsley and Parmesan if you desire even more flavor.

You can also top the finished product with fresh basil or Italian parsley and Parmesan if you desire even more flavor.

Put the ingredients in the slow cooker

If you haven’t done so already, now’s the time to chop the vegetables for the soup. Once all your ingredients are prepared, you’ll then put them in the slow cooker. However, save the spinach and the lemon juice for a later step.

Then, stir the soup contents to combine everything. And that’s it! The hard part is over, and a nutritious meal is right around the corner.

Then, stir the soup contents to combine everything. And that’s it! The hard part is over, and a nutritious meal is right around the corner.

Cook the soup

Now that all the ingredients have been prepared, placed in the slow cooker, and mixed, it’s time to let the slow cooker do its magic. You’ll now cook the soup for five hours on high. If you prefer, you can opt to cook the soup for eight to 10 hours on low. Either is fine — it just depends on how long you want the soup to cook for and how long you’re willing to wait for your savory lentil soup.

Add the final touches to the lentil soup

When the cooking time has passed and the soup is done, you’ll stir in the spinach and lemon juice. And then you can serve and enjoy! “If you wanted to check and see if it is done, yes, you would check to see if the carrots are tender and the lentils are soft but still holding together (not crunchy),” Hahn said when asked how to know when the soup is finished.

If you want to add even more flavor, now’s the time to top the soup with fresh basil or Italian parsley and Parmesan. “Side note: The lemon that you add at the end adds so much to the flavor, so don’t skip this step,” Hahn exclaimed.

“If you wanted to check and see if it is done, yes, you would check to see if the carrots are tender and the lentils are soft but still holding together (not crunchy),” Hahn said when asked how to know when the soup is finished.

If you want to add even more flavor, now’s the time to top the soup with fresh basil or Italian parsley and Parmesan. “Side note: The lemon that you add at the end adds so much to the flavor, so don’t skip this step,” Hahn exclaimed.

Pair a bowl of lentil soup with your favorite bread

Although this lentil soup is a meal in itself, bread is a great addition to this recipe. “I do like it with bread, and I usually serve it with a big green salad with lots of raw vegetables,” Hahn said. “If I have fresh basil, I love adding that on top. The soup is full of protein and fiber, so it is just fine on its own. I often have this type of hearty soup for lunch.”

“I do like it with bread, and I usually serve it with a big green salad with lots of raw vegetables,” Hahn said. “If I have fresh basil, I love adding that on top. The soup is full of protein and fiber, so it is just fine on its own. I often have this type of hearty soup for lunch.”

Slow Cooker Lentil Soup Recipe

4.9 from 15 ratings

Fill 202

							Print

The best part about this lentil soup recipe (outside of the taste, of course) is that it’s ideal for any time and day of the week.

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 5 hours

Servings 8 servings

Total time: 5.03 hours

					Ingredients

1 ½ cup green or brown dried lentils, rinsed 1 onion, chopped 4 carrots, chopped 4 celery stalks, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon curry powder 1 teaspoon thyme 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes ½ teaspoon black pepper ¼ cup tomato paste 6 cups vegetable broth (or any type of broth, add more if you want a thinner soup) 2 cups spinach Juice from one lemon

					Optional Ingredients

Fresh basil or Italian parsley and Parmesan for topping

					Directions

Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, except for the spinach and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Cook for five hours on high or eight to 10 hours on low. When it’s done, stir in the spinach and lemon juice. If desired, you can top the soup with fresh basil or Italian parsley and Parmesan. Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories per Serving 166

Total Fat 0.8 g

Saturated Fat 0.1 g

Trans Fat 0.0 g

Cholesterol 0.0 mg

Total Carbohydrates 31.5 g

Dietary Fiber 6.4 g

Total Sugars 4.5 g

Sodium 430.0 mg

Protein 10.4 g

							The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
						






											Rate this recipe

Slow Cooker Lentil Soup Recipe

4.9 from 15 ratings

Fill 202

							Print

The best part about this lentil soup recipe (outside of the taste, of course) is that it’s ideal for any time and day of the week.

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 5 hours

Servings 8 servings

Total time: 5.03 hours

					Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cup green or brown dried lentils, rinsed

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 4 carrots, chopped

  • 4 celery stalks, chopped

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon curry powder

  • 1 teaspoon thyme

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • ¼ cup tomato paste

  • 6 cups vegetable broth (or any type of broth, add more if you want a thinner soup)

  • 2 cups spinach

  • Juice from one lemon

     				Optional Ingredients

  • Fresh basil or Italian parsley and Parmesan for topping

      				Directions

  • Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, except for the spinach and lemon juice.

  • Stir to combine.

  • Cook for five hours on high or eight to 10 hours on low. When it’s done, stir in the spinach and lemon juice.

  • If desired, you can top the soup with fresh basil or Italian parsley and Parmesan. Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories per Serving 166

Total Fat 0.8 g

Saturated Fat 0.1 g

Trans Fat 0.0 g

Cholesterol 0.0 mg

Total Carbohydrates 31.5 g

Dietary Fiber 6.4 g

Total Sugars 4.5 g

Sodium 430.0 mg

Protein 10.4 g

							The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
						







											Rate this recipe

Slow Cooker Lentil Soup Recipe

4.9 from 15 ratings

Fill 202

							Print

The best part about this lentil soup recipe (outside of the taste, of course) is that it’s ideal for any time and day of the week.

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 5 hours

Servings 8 servings

Total time: 5.03 hours

4.9 from 15 ratings

Fill 202

							Print

Prep Time

2

minutes

Cook Time

5

hours

Servings

8

servings

Total time: 5.03 hours

Nutrition

Calories per Serving 166

Total Fat 0.8 g

Saturated Fat 0.1 g

Trans Fat 0.0 g

Cholesterol 0.0 mg

Total Carbohydrates 31.5 g

Dietary Fiber 6.4 g

Total Sugars 4.5 g

Sodium 430.0 mg

Protein 10.4 g

							The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
						






							The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.