Slow Cooker Lentil Soup

Name: Slow Cooker Lentil Soup
Total time: 420 min
Yield: Family
Ingredients: 1.5 cups dried brown lentils, rinsed; 3 carrots, diced; 2 stalks celery, diced; 1 onion, diced; 1 can diced tomatoes; 6 cups vegetable broth; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 3 cloves garlic, minced

Slow cooker lentil soup is a hearty, protein-packed bowl that practically makes itself. Earthy lentils simmer all day with vegetables and warm spices until thick and deeply flavorful. It is budget-friendly, naturally vegan, and freezes beautifully for easy lunches.

Vegan Vegetarian Gluten-Free Dairy-Free High-Protein Slow Cooker Lunch Dinner Soup Family Budget One-Pot Comfort Food Lentil

⏱ 420 min
📊 easy
🍽 Family

Ingredients

1.5 cups dried brown lentils, rinsed
3 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 onion, diced
1 can diced tomatoes
6 cups vegetable broth
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
3 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

Add the lentils, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, and broth to the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 7 hours, until the lentils are tender.
Stir in the diced tomatoes and cook 30 minutes more.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.
For a thicker soup, blend a cup of it and stir it back in.
Finish with a squeeze of lemon and fresh parsley, then serve.

💡 Chef's tip

Hold the salt and any acidic tomatoes until the lentils are tender; added too early they can keep the lentils firm no matter how long they cook.

Dried lentils are ideal for the slow cooker because they hold their shape over a long cook and slowly release starch that thickens the broth into a satisfying, stew-like soup.