Healthy Slow Cooker Lentil Soup
This healthy slow cooker lentil soup is a hearty, budget-friendly crockpot meal made with simple vegetables, protein-rich lentils, and warm spices.
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 –4 carrots chopped
- 2 –3 celery stalks chopped
- 1 medium sweet potato diced
- 16 oz mushrooms sliced
- 4 –6 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp rosemary or 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt plus more to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 can 14 oz diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth or bone broth for added protein
- 1 package 14 oz lentils, rinsed
- Additional water if needed
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar added at the end
- Optional toppings: grated Parmesan parsley, or fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Sauté the veggies – Use the sauté function on your slow cooker (or a pan on the stove). Heat olive oil, beef marrow, or bacon fat. Add mushrooms and cook until browned.
- Add vegetables – Stir in onion, carrots, celery, and sweet potato. Sprinkle with 1 tsp salt, cover, and cook for 5–8 minutes to build flavor.
- Season – Mix in tomato paste, garlic, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and pepper. Cook until fragrant.
- Add lentils and broth – Stir in diced tomatoes, broth, and rinsed lentils. Add extra water if needed to cover everything.
- Cook low and slow – Set the slow cooker on High for 6 hours or Low for 8 hours. Check occasionally and add more liquid if necessary.
- Thicken the soup – Once lentils are soft, mash some of the sweet potatoes with the back of a spoon for a creamier texture.
- Finish & serve – Stir in apple cider vinegar for brightness. Taste and adjust seasoning. Top with Parmesan or parsley and serve with bread
Notes
- Make it vegan by using vegetable broth and skip the Parmesan topping.
- Try adding greens like fresh spinach or kale in the last 10 minutes for extra nutrition.
- Boost protein content by adding chickpeas or shredded chicken.
- Cool completely and store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
