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Hearty Slow Cooker Lentil Soup

hearty slow cooker lentil soup - featured image
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A nourishing and effortless slow cooker lentil soup that delivers comfort and flavor with minimal fuss. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, this soup is filling yet light and tastes even better as leftovers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (300 grams) dried brown or green lentils
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 14.5 oz (400 grams) canned diced tomatoes
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional, for sautéing)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion, carrots, and celery into roughly uniform pieces. Mince the garlic cloves finely.
  2. Optional: In a skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic during the last minute to avoid burning.
  3. Rinse lentils under cold running water using a fine mesh strainer and drain well.
  4. Add rinsed lentils, sautéed or raw veggies, canned diced tomatoes with juices, vegetable broth, bay leaf, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours until lentils are tender but not mushy. Alternatively, cook on high for 3 to 4 hours if short on time.
  6. About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust seasoning. Remove the bay leaf.
  7. Just before serving, stir in fresh lemon juice to brighten flavors.
  8. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro if desired. Serve with crusty bread or a light salad.

Notes

Rinse lentils thoroughly to avoid dusty taste. Sautéing aromatics adds depth but can be skipped for convenience. Add more broth or water if soup is too thick after cooking. Use an immersion blender to partially blend for smoother texture but avoid over-blending. Slow cook on low for best texture. Optional smoked ham hock or liquid smoke can add smoky flavor for non-vegetarians. Adjust seasoning before serving. Soup tastes better after a day or two.

Nutrition

Keywords: lentil soup, slow cooker soup, easy soup recipe, healthy soup, vegetarian soup, vegan soup, comfort food, plant-based protein

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/hearty-slow-cooker-lentil-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-meal/