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slow cooker lentil stew recipe

Slow Cooker Lentil Stew

A hearty and flavorful lentil soup loaded with veggies and protien for a nourishing meatless meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Course Dinner
Servings 8

Equipment

  • 1 slow cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil or beef bone marrow for extra flavor!
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 4-6 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 celery ribs diced
  • 4 large whole carrots diced
  • 1 sweet potato peeled and diced
  • 16 oz package of mushrooms chopped
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 3 tsp Italian seasoning or 1 tsp each of oregano, thyme, and rosemary
  • 2.5 tsp salt
  • .5 tsp pepper
  • 1 14.5oz can diced tomato with juices
  • 1 14-16oz package lentils
  • 6 cups beef broth add more as needed if it looks dry
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Set slow cooker to saute function. Sauté the mushrooms in olive oil and 1/2 tsp salt until mushrooms have absorbed some of the fat and have browned 5-8 minutes.
  • Make sure there is still at least 1 tbsp of fat remaining in the pot and add the onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, and 1 tsp salt. Sauté for 5-8 minutes.
  • Add Italian seasonings, pepper, garlic, tomato paste and sauté for a minute until fragrant.
  • Add canned tomatoes, lentils, and broth to cover.
  • Set on low for 8 hours or high for 6 hours. Add liquid it it starts to dry out, but not too much, it should be more like a thick stew then a soup.
  • Season with more salt if needed. Finish with a splash of vinegar.
Keyword budget dinners, meatless dinner, slow cooker, slow cooker meals, winter