Description
This Slow Cooker Sausage Lentil Soup is a hearty, comforting bowl full of savory sausage, earthy lentils, and flavorful vegetables—perfect for cozy nights or meal prep. Let your slow cooker do the work while rich flavors develop low and slow.
Ingredients
1 pound sausage (Italian, smoked, or chicken), sliced or crumbled
1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
1 medium onion, diced
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and black pepper to taste
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 can (14.5-ounce) diced tomatoes, with juices
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
1. If sausage is raw, brown it in a skillet over medium heat, then transfer to the slow cooker.
2. Add onion, carrots, celery, garlic, lentils, thyme, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
3. Pour in broth and diced tomatoes (with juices), and add the bay leaf. Stir, cover, and cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 4–5 hours.
4. Once lentils are tender, remove bay leaf and stir in vinegar or lemon juice, if using. Adjust seasoning and serve warm.
Notes
Browning the sausage before slow cooking deepens the flavor.
Red lentils will cook faster but may result in a mushier texture.
Add greens like spinach or kale in the last 30 minutes for a nutrition boost.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Soups
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: lentil soup, sausage soup, slow cooker soup