Servings
Font
Back
Slow Cooker Lentil Soup
4.5 from 102 votes

Slow Cooker Lentil Soup

This Slow Cooker Lentil Soup features green lentils cooked with a mix of sautéed onions, garlic, carrots, celery, red bell pepper, and Yukon gold potatoes in vegetable broth, blending savory herbs like paprika, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf. It simmers slowly to develop mellow, hearty flavors and a comforting texture. The soup is ideal for make-ahead meals, served hot with crusty bread or cornbread.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 274 kcal
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 medium-sized yellow onion chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 large carrot chopped
  • 3 ribs celery chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper cored and chopped
  • 2 medium-sized potato chopped, Yukon gold variety
  • 1 ½ cups green lentils
  • 1 (15-oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 5 cups vegetable broth *
  • 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp maple syrup optional, or sugar
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 Tbsp paprika
  • 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 tsp salt to taste, sea salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the avocado oil (or olive oil) in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté, stirring frequently, until the onion begins to brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. For the best flavor, you want the onion to nearly be caramelized. Add the garlic and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant. Transfer the sauteed onion and garlic to the slow cooker.
  2. Transfer the rest of the ingredients for the lentil soup to the crock pot and stir well.
  3. Secure the lid on the slow cooker and slow cook on High for 3 to 4 hours or Low for 6 to 8 hours.
  4. Once the lentil soup has finished cooking, give it a big stir, discard the bay leaf, and taste the soup for flavor. Add sea salt and/or lemon juice to taste.
  5. Serve lentil soup in big bowls with crusty bread or cornbread.

Notes

  • Use an immersion blender to puree the soup for a creamier texture if desired.
  • Increase broth amount to 6-8 cups if a soupier consistency is preferred.
  • Prepare a day ahead to allow flavors to develop and deepen before serving.
  • Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze double-bagged in gallon freezer bags for up to three months.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1Serving (of 6) Calories 274kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 47g (16%) Protein 13g (26%) Fat 5g (8%) Fiber 16g (64%) Sugar 12g (24%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 274

% Daily Value*

Serving 1Serving (of 6)
Calories 274kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 47g 16%
Protein 13g 26%
Fat 5g 8%
Fiber 16g 64%
Sugar 12g 24%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.