This Easy Crockpot Lentil Soup is loaded with tender lentils, smoky sausage, vegetables and herbs, all slowly simmered together in a rich tomato-based broth. Browning the sausage first adds even more flavor, while the slow cooker does the rest of the work.
With just a little prep, everything goes into the crockpot and cooks until the lentils are tender and the broth is rich and hearty. Serve this lentil soup with crusty bread for an easy dinner, or make a batch to enjoy throughout the week.
Lentils are also traditionally eaten around New Year’s for good luck and prosperity, but this hearty slow cooker soup is one you can make all fall and winter long.
Why You Will Love This Crockpot Lentil Soup Recipe
- Easy Slow Cooker Meal: After browning the sausage and prepping the vegetables, the crockpot does most of the work.
- Hearty and Filling: Lentils, smoked sausage and vegetables make this soup substantial enough to serve as a complete meal.
- Simple Ingredients: This easy crockpot lentil soup is made with easy-to-find ingredients and pantry staples.
- Great for Meal Prep: The soup reheats beautifully and tastes even better after the flavors have had time to develop.
- Freezer-Friendly: Make a big batch and freeze portions for an easy meal later.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Lentils: Brown lentils work best because they hold their shape while becoming tender. Green lentils can also be used, although they may require additional cooking time.
- Smoked Sausage: Use kielbasa, smoked sausage, chicken sausage or your favorite fully cooked sausage.
- Vegetarian: Leave out the sausage and use vegetable stock.
- Crushed Tomatoes: Substitute diced tomatoes or whole peeled tomatoes, crushing them before adding.
- Fresh Thyme: Fresh rosemary can be substituted for the thyme, or use a combination of both.
- Add Greens: Stir fresh baby spinach or chopped kale into the soup near the end of cooking.
- Extra Vegetables: Diced zucchini or additional carrots and celery can be added for an even heartier soup.
How to Prepare Crockpot Lentil Soup
- Cut the sausage into circles and brown in a pan.
- Rinse the lentils.
- Mince the carrots, celery and onion.
- Once the sausages have browned, add them to the crockpot with the remaining ingredients, including the lentils.
- Add a bit of stock to the pan you cooked the sausages to remove the brown bits. Add to the crockpot.
- Cook on high 4 to 5 hours.
- Check the liquid levels a few times. Add more stock, as needed.
- Soup is done when the lentils are tender.
- Remove and discard the bay leaves and thyme stalks.
- Serve in bowls with fresh bread for a hearty meal.
How to Serve and Store
- Serve: Ladle the lentil soup into bowls and serve with warm crusty bread, garlic bread or a simple side salad.
- Store: Allow leftover soup to cool before transferring to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of stock if the soup has thickened.
- Freeze: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving a little room for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat, adding additional stock as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Unlike dried beans, lentils do not need to be soaked before cooking. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water and check for any debris before adding them to the slow cooker.
Brown lentils are ideal for this recipe because they become tender while still maintaining some texture. Green lentils can also be used but may take a little longer to cook. Red lentils break down much more quickly and will give the soup a softer, thicker consistency.
Technically, no. However, browning the sausage adds another layer of flavor and creates browned bits in the pan that can be deglazed with a little stock and added directly to the crockpot.
Lentils continue absorbing liquid as they cook and as the soup sits. Simply add additional chicken or vegetable stock until the soup reaches your preferred consistency.
Yes. Leave out the sausage and use vegetable stock for a meatless version.
Yes. Brown the sausage in a large soup pot or Dutch oven, add the remaining ingredients and simmer until the lentils are tender, adding additional stock as needed.
More Easy Crockpot Soup Recipes to Love
- Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup
- Southern Crockpot Black Eyed Peas
- Hearty Crockpot Beef Stew
- Pork and Cabbage Stew
This Easy Crockpot Lentil Soup is a simple way to turn lentils, smoked sausage and vegetables into a hearty, flavorful meal. A little prep is all it takes before everything slowly cooks together until the lentils are tender and the broth is rich and savory. Serve with crusty bread for an easy dinner, and save the leftovers because this soup is even better the next day.
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Easy Crockpot Lentil Soup
- Total Time: 4 hours, 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
Description
Easy Crockpot Lentil Soup is made with brown lentils, smoked sausage, vegetables, tomatoes and fresh herbs slowly cooked in a flavorful broth. It’s an easy, hearty slow cooker soup that requires minimal prep and is perfect for making ahead.
Ingredients
- 1 pound brown lentils, rinsed
- 1 pound smoked sausage, cut into circles
- 2 stalks celery with leaves, minced
- 1/2 onion, minced
- 1 large carrot, minced
- 20 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 7 to 8 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 5 sprigs thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cut the sausage into circles and brown in a pan.
- Rinse the lentils. Discard any debris.
- Mince the carrots, celery and onion.
- Once the sausages have browned, add them to the crockpot with the remaining ingredients, including the lentils. Start with 7 cups of stock, then add more, as needed.
- Add a bit of stock to the pan you cooked the sausages to remove the brown bits. Add to the crockpot.
- Cook on high 4 to 5 hours.
- Soup is done when the lentils are tender.
- Remove and discard the bay leaves and thyme stalks.
- Serve in bowls with fresh bread for a hearty meal.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Rinse the lentils thoroughly under cold water and check for any debris. There is no need to soak them.
- Browning the smoked sausage is optional, but highly recommended for additional flavor.
- After browning the sausage, deglaze the pan with a small amount of the stock and add those browned bits to the crockpot.
- Start with 5 cups of stock. Add additional stock during cooking if the soup becomes too thick.
- Brown lentils work best. Green lentils may require additional cooking time, while red lentils will cook faster and create a softer, thicker soup.
- Cooking times can vary depending on the slow cooker. The soup is ready when the lentils are tender.
- For a meatless version, omit the sausage and use vegetable stock.
- Fresh rosemary can be substituted for the thyme.
- Baby spinach or chopped kale can be stirred into the soup during the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking.
- The soup will continue to thicken as it sits. Add additional stock when reheating, as needed.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours, 30 minutes
- Category: Soup, Bisque
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
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