Crockpot Lentil Soup
Brown lentils and vegetables cook in stock with cumin for six hours on LOW, then lemon juice and spinach go in at the end.
Crockpot Lentil Soup
Course: Main CourseDifficulty: Easy6
servings10
minutes6
hours10
minutesBrown lentils and vegetables cook in stock with cumin for six hours on LOW, then lemon juice and spinach go in at the end.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups brown lentils, rinsed
3 carrots, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
1 large onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
6 cups vegetable stock
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp kosher salt
3 cups fresh spinach
Juice of 1 lemon
Directions
- Put the lentils, carrots, celery and onion in a cold 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add the garlic, cumin, paprika and salt.
- Pour in the tomatoes and stock.
- Stir once.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours.
- Check that the lentils are soft.
- Stir in the spinach and let it wilt for 10 minutes.
- Add the lemon juice.
- Taste and adjust the salt.
- Serve with crusty bread.
Notes
- Salt at the end if your stock is already salty. Lentil soup thickens in the fridge, so thin it with water.
A simple lentil soup, explained
Brown lentils soften without falling apart over six hours, so the soup has texture. Cumin and smoked paprika bring warmth, and the spinach is added at the very end so it wilts in ten minutes and stays green. Lemon juice at the finish makes the whole pot taste brighter.
Swaps that work for Crockpot Lentil Soup
Green lentils work equally well. Kale can replace spinach if you add it earlier. Stir a spoonful of tomato paste in for a deeper color. Skip red lentils, which dissolve into a thick puree. If your stock is salty, hold back on the salt until the end.
Storing Crockpot Lentil Soup
This soup thickens a lot in the fridge, so add water when reheating it. It keeps 5 days and freezes well in portions.
The mistake many cooks make is salting too early. Salt added early can leave the lentils firm, so taste at the end and adjust.
Serve it with a thick slice of buttered toast and a few drops of olive oil on top.
Crockpot Lentil Soup at a glance
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 6 servings
- Ingredients: 12, led by brown lentils, carrots, celery stalks, onion
Tips for Crockpot Lentil Soup
Salt at the end if your stock is already salty. Lentil soup thickens in the fridge, so thin it with water.
Crockpot Lentil Soup FAQ
How long does Crockpot Lentil Soup take?
Crockpot Lentil Soup takes 6 hours 10 minutes of cooking after 10 minutes of prep.
How many people does Crockpot Lentil Soup serve?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What do I need to make Crockpot Lentil Soup?
12 ingredients, led by brown lentils, carrots, celery stalks, onion. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
Part of: 5 Inspiring Crockpot Soup Recipe Ideas
