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A comforting bowl of Crockpot lentil soup garnished with fresh herbs

Hearty Slow Cooker Lentil Vegetable Soup

Warm up with a bowl of this hearty and healthy slow cooker lentil vegetable soup, packed with flavor and nutrients.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 bowls
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 cup brown or green lentils rinsed
  • 6 cups vegetable broth low-sodium
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro
  • lemon juice
  • olive oil
  • Greek yogurt/sour cream

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Slow cooker
  • Spoon or immersion blender (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add chopped onion, carrots, and celery, cooking for 5-7 minutes until softened.
  2. Stir in minced garlic for one minute until fragrant, then transfer the sautéed vegetables to your slow cooker.
Cooking
  1. Add rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, and cumin to the slow cooker.
  2. Stir all ingredients together and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until lentils and vegetables are tender.
Serving
  1. Taste the soup and adjust seasonings as needed, mashing some lentils for a thicker consistency if desired.
  2. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil, or Greek yogurt/sour cream.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider roasting your vegetables before adding them to the slow cooker. You can also add other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach during the last hour of cooking. If you like a thicker soup, mash a portion of the cooked lentils against the side of the pot or use an immersion blender for a creamier texture. This soup freezes well for future meals.