Slow Cooker Hearty Lentil Soup

Slow Cooker Lentil Soup Recipe

Overview

This Slow Cooker Lentil Soup is perfect for those busy weekends when you want a hearty meal ready without much fuss. It’s packed with nutritious ingredients like lentils, vegetables, and savory herbs, making it a wholesome choice for a cozy family dinner or meal prep.

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 12 hours on low heat or 6-7 hours on high heat
• Total Time: 12 hours 15 minutes
• Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry lentils, rinsed
• 1-1 ½ cups carrots, chopped
• 1-1 ½ cups celery, chopped
• 1-1 ½ cups onion, chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• ¾ teaspoon dried basil
• ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 ½ cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 can (14.5 oz) stewed tomatoes, undrained
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare Lentils: Rinse the dry lentils thoroughly under cold water and drain.

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2. Combine Ingredients: In a slow cooker, add the rinsed lentils, chopped carrots, celery, onion, minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, and bay leaves.

3. Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth (or vegetable broth), water, and undrained stewed tomatoes. Stir in the tomato paste until well combined.

4. Cooking: Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on low heat for 12-14 hours or on high heat for 6-7 hours. The longer cooking time on low heat allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

5. Finish: Once cooked, carefully remove the bay leaves and discard them. If desired, stir in cider vinegar to add a hint of acidity to the soup.

6. Serving: Ladle the warm lentil soup into bowls and serve hot. This recipe yields about 6 servings, making it perfect for sharing or meal prepping for the week ahead.

Nutritional Information per Serving (approximate)

• Calories: 207.8
• Total Fat: 1.8g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.4g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 991.8mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 35.4g
  • Dietary Fiber: 13.1g
  • Sugars: 10.2g
• Protein: 14.4g

Notes

• Storage: This lentil soup keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days, making it a great option for meal prep. You can also freeze it in portions for longer storage.

• Variations: Feel free to customize this soup with additional vegetables like bell peppers or spinach. You can also adjust the seasoning to your taste by adding more herbs or spices.

This Slow Cooker Lentil Soup is not only nutritious and filling but also easy to prepare, making it a go-to recipe for busy days or when you want a comforting meal. Enjoy the rich flavors and hearty goodness of this wholesome soup! 🍲