Hearty & Healthy Crockpot Lentil Soup Recipe

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When chilly days hit, nothing beats a warm, comforting bowl of soup. This Crockpot Lentil Soup is the ultimate cozy meal — packed with hearty lentils, tender veggies, and warming spices, all slow-cooked to perfection with minimal effort.

Toss everything in the slow cooker in the morning, and come home to a nutritious, flavorful dinner that feels like a big, warm hug.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • Totally hands-off: toss it in the crockpot and let it do the work
  • Budget-friendly, with simple pantry staples and wholesome lentils
  • Comforting and filling, perfect for weeknights or meal prep
  • Naturally gluten-free and vegan, easy to adapt for other diets
  • Loaded with fiber and plant-based protein to keep you satisfied

If you love this crockpot recipe, be sure to check out some of my other favorite cozy recipes like my crockpot pulled pork sandwiches, comforting chicken cacciatore, or these quick and veggie side dish ideas.

Whether you’re in the mood for something hearty, light, or crowd-pleasing, there’s something here for everyone!

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Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups dried brown or green lentils, rinsed and drained
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, spinach or cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Add lentils, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, diced tomatoes (with juice), vegetable broth, cumin, smoked paprika, thyme, black pepper, and salt to your slow cooker.
  2. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until lentils and vegetables are tender.
  4. Optional: For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup, or mash some lentils with the back of a spoon.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired.

Tips for Crockpot Lentil Soup:

  • Use rinsed lentils to prevent foam and ensure even cooking.
  • If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce broth by 1 cup or cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes.
  • Add a splash of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar at the end for brightness.
  • Swap in red lentils for a softer texture and shorter cook time (around 4 hours low).
  • Double the recipe to freeze leftovers for quick meals later.

Notes:

  • Serves 6–8 people.
  • Lentils are a great plant-based source of protein and fiber.
  • This soup keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days and freezes beautifully.

Leftovers:


Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. This soup also freezes well—portion into freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

When reheating, you may need to add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. Leftover lentil soup makes for a quick lunch or a comforting dinner on busy days.

Next-Day Meal Ideas:

If you have leftover lentil soup, don’t just reheat it—turn it into something new! Here are a few tasty ideas:

Lentil Soup Stew:

Simmer leftover soup with some chopped potatoes and kale or spinach for a heartier stew.

Lentil Patties:

Drain some of the soup, mash the lentils, mix with breadcrumbs and spices, then pan-fry for delicious lentil burgers or patties.

Soup-Stuffed Peppers:

Use the lentil soup as a filling for bell peppers, top with cheese or breadcrumbs, and bake until bubbly.

Hearty Lentil Chili:

Add chili powder, canned beans, and corn to your leftover soup for a quick and easy chili twist.

Yield: 6-8

Hearty & Healthy Crockpot Lentil Soup Recipe

Hearty & Healthy Crockpot Lentil Soup Recipe

When chilly days hit, nothing beats a warm, comforting bowl of soup. This Crockpot Lentil Soup is the ultimate cozy meal — packed with hearty lentils, tender veggies, and warming spices, all slow-cooked to perfection with minimal effort.

Toss everything in the slow cooker in the morning, and come home to a nutritious, flavorful dinner that feels like a big, warm hug.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • Totally hands-off: toss it in the crockpot and let it do the work
  • Budget-friendly, with simple pantry staples and wholesome lentils
  • Comforting and filling, perfect for weeknights or meal prep
  • Naturally gluten-free and vegan, easy to adapt for other diets
  • Loaded with fiber and plant-based protein to keep you satisfied

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups dried brown or green lentils, rinsed and drained
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, spinach or cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

    Add lentils, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, diced tomatoes (with juice), vegetable broth, cumin, smoked paprika, thyme, black pepper, and salt to your slow cooker.

    Stir gently to combine all ingredients.

    Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until lentils and vegetables are tender.

    Optional: For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup, or mash some lentils with the back of a spoon.

    Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

    Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired.

Notes

  • Serves 6–8 people.
  • Lentils are a great plant-based source of protein and fiber.
  • This soup keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days and freezes beautifully.



Leftovers:

Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. This soup also freezes well—portion into freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

When reheating, you may need to add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. Leftover lentil soup makes for a quick lunch or a comforting dinner on busy days.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 109Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1104mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gProtein: 5g

Wrapping Up Crockpot Lentil Soup

With rich, earthy flavor and tender vegetables in every spoonful, this Crockpot Lentil Soup is the ultimate blend of nourishment and simplicity.

It’s a cozy, no-fuss recipe that simmers all day into a deeply satisfying meal—perfect for busy weeknights or chilly weekends when you want something hearty without hovering over the stove.

Serve it with warm crusty bread or a simple salad for a complete, low-effort dinner that tastes like it’s been cooking for hours (because it has—but you didn’t have to).

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