This slow cooker lentil vegetable soup is the ultimate “set it and forget it” meal. It’s a hearty, healthy, and incredibly flavorful soup that requires minimal effort for maximum reward. If you’re looking for a comforting dish to warm you up, this recipe is your answer. Just toss everything in the crock pot, and come back hours later to a perfect bowl of goodness.
Why This Will Be Your Go-To Soup Recipe
Beyond its simplicity, this slow cooker lentil vegetable soup is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and essential vitamins from a medley of fresh vegetables. It’s a recipe that not only tastes incredible but makes you feel great, too.
We’ve designed this soup to be incredibly versatile. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just looking to eat more plant-forward meals, this recipe fits seamlessly into your lifestyle. Plus, it’s a fantastic recipe for meal prep, as the flavors only get better the next day.
The Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this soup lies in its simple, wholesome ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this comforting masterpiece.
A Note on Lentils
We recommend using brown or green lentils for this recipe. They hold their shape well during the long cooking time in the slow cooker, providing a pleasant texture. Red lentils tend to break down more, which will result in a thicker, more puréed consistency.
- Lentils: 1 cup of brown or green lentils, rinsed and picked over.
- Mirepoix: 1 large yellow onion (diced), 2 medium carrots (diced), and 2 celery stalks (diced). This classic trio builds the flavor foundation.
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced. Don’t be shy; it adds a wonderful aromatic depth.
- Potatoes: 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, diced. They add a creamy texture and make the soup even heartier.
- Diced Tomatoes: One 14.5-ounce can, undrained, for a touch of acidity and sweetness.
- Vegetable Broth: 8 cups of low-sodium vegetable broth. Using a quality broth is key to a flavorful soup.
- Herbs & Spices: 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 2 bay leaves.
- Spinach: 5 ounces of fresh baby spinach, to be stirred in at the end for freshness and color.
- Lemon Juice: The juice of half a lemon, to brighten everything up before serving.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste.
Step-by-Step Guide to The Perfect Slow Cooker Lentil Vegetable Soup
This is the easy part. Follow these simple steps for a foolproof, delicious soup.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the rinsed lentils, diced onion, carrots, celery, potatoes, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, thyme, smoked paprika, and bay leaves to the basin of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Stir everything together to combine.
- Slow Cook: Secure the lid and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours. The soup is ready when the lentils are tender and the vegetables are soft.
- Wilt the Spinach: About 10 minutes before serving, remove the bay leaves. Stir in the fresh spinach until it has just wilted.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the fresh lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and enjoy hot.
The Recipe
Slow Cooker Lentil Vegetable Soup: The Easiest, Most Nourishing Meal
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add the rinsed lentils, diced onion, carrots, celery, potatoes, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, thyme, smoked paprika, and bay leaves to the basin of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Stir everything together to combine.
- Secure the lid and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours. The soup is ready when the lentils are tender and the vegetables are soft.
- About 10 minutes before serving, remove the bay leaves. Stir in the fresh spinach until it has just wilted.
- Stir in the fresh lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and enjoy hot.
Nutrition
Notes
The soup will thicken as it cools. Add a splash of broth when reheating if needed.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Pro Tips for the Best-Ever Lentil Soup
A few simple tips can elevate your soup from great to absolutely unforgettable.
- Don’t Skip the Rinse: Rinsing your lentils removes any dust or debris and is a crucial first step.
- Build Flavor Early: For an even deeper flavor, you can sauté the onion, carrots, and celery in a separate pan with a bit of olive oil for 5-7 minutes before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Brighten at the End: The final squeeze of lemon juice is non-negotiable. It awakens all the flavors and adds a necessary brightness to the earthy lentils.
Delicious Variations to Try
Make this recipe your own with these simple and delicious additions.
- Add a Cheesy Garnish: A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese over the top before serving adds a wonderful salty, umami flavor.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other spices for a gentle background heat.
- Introduce More Greens: Swap the spinach for chopped kale or Swiss chard, adding it about 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time as it takes longer to soften.
What to Serve with Your Lentil Soup
This soup is a hearty meal all on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few accompaniments. A slice of crusty bread for dipping is a classic choice. For a more complete meal, serve it alongside a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette. For other ideas, you might like this no-yeast flatbread recipe (coming soon).
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions
This slow cooker lentil vegetable soup is perfect for making ahead.
- To Store: Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- To Freeze: This soup freezes beautifully. Let it cool, then pour it into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving a little room for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat: Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of broth to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you do not need to soak the lentils for this recipe. Simply rinse them to remove any debris before adding them to the slow cooker with the other ingredients.
While lentils are forgiving, they can become mushy if overcooked. We recommend sticking to the 7-8 hour time on LOW or 4-5 hours on HIGH for the best texture.
This soup naturally thickens as it cools. For a thicker consistency, you can mash some of the potatoes and lentils against the side of the slow cooker with a spoon, or blend one cup of the soup and stir it back in.
Absolutely. For a non-vegetarian version, you can add browned Italian sausage, diced ham, or shredded chicken to the slow cooker along with the other ingredients at the beginning of the cooking time.
Brown or green lentils are the best choice for this recipe as they hold their shape well in the slow cooker. Red or yellow lentils will break down and create a much softer, puréed texture.
Your New Favorite Comfort Food Awaits
This slow cooker lentil vegetable soup recipe proves that deeply flavorful and nourishing meals don’t have to be complicated. It’s a dish that will warm you from the inside out and one you’ll return to again and again. Give it a try, and don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!
