Cozy Crock Pot Lentil Soup Recipe

This Crock Pot Lentil Soup is a nourishing, hearty, and flavorful meal that makes dinner stress-free. With the crock pot doing the heavy lifting, you’ll have a satisfying dish ready to go with minimal effort. Whether it’s a chilly fall evening or just a busy weekday, this soup will quickly become a go-to recipe for your family!

There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm bowl of soup simmering away in the crock pot, and this lentil soup is no exception.

Packed with earthy flavors, tender lentils, and nutrient-rich greens, this Crock Pot Lentil Soup is perfect for a cozy weeknight meal. Not only is it satisfying, but it’s also full of wholesome ingredients that will keep you full and energized.

Why You’ll Love This Lentil Soup Recipe:

• Easy Prep: With simple ingredients, you can set this up in minutes.
• Rich & Hearty: Bacon, mushrooms, and lentils add amazing flavor and texture.
• Nutrient-Packed: Full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals from lentils, veggies, and greens.

Whether you’re looking to make a nutritious dinner or a meal-prep option for the week, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Best of all, the crock pot does all the work for you!

Ingredients for Crock Pot Lentil Soup

Here’s everything you need to make this delicious crock pot lentil soup:

• 2 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 medium onions, minced
• 4 medium garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 4 slices of bacon, chopped
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms, soaked, rinsed, and minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 3 carrots, chopped into 1/2-inch chunks
• 12 ounces portobello mushroom caps, gills removed and cut into chunks (or use sliced bella mushrooms)
• 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed and picked over
• 1 bay leaf
• 8 oz Swiss chard leaves, chopped (stems removed)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How to Make Crock Pot Lentil Soup

1. Cook the Bacon and Aromatics
   In a small pan over medium-high heat, cook olive oil, minced onions, garlic, thyme, bacon, tomato paste, and minced porcini mushrooms for about 5 minutes, until the onions are soft and the bacon is cooked through. This step builds the base of your soup with rich, savory flavors.
2. Transfer to Crock Pot
   In your crock pot, add vegetable broth, chicken broth, carrots, fresh mushrooms, lentils, and the bay leaf. Then, stir in the bacon and onion mixture you just cooked.
3. Set it and Forget it
   Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 9-11 hours or high for 5-7 hours. The lentils will soak up all the delicious flavors, and the broth will thicken into a hearty soup.
4. Add the Swiss Chard
   About 30 minutes before the soup is done, remove the bacon and bay leaf. Stir in the chopped Swiss chard and allow it to cook until tender.
5. Season and Serve
   Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy the cozy, earthy flavors of this crock pot lentil soup!

Tips for the Best Lentil Soup:

• Customize the Greens: If Swiss chard isn’t available, spinach, collard greens, or kale are great alternatives.
• Vegetarian Option: Skip the bacon and add more mushrooms or veggies for a vegetarian twist.
• Serve with Bread: For extra texture, serve with warm, toasted bread or a crunchy salad on the side.

More Delicious Soup Recipes

If you’re a fan of soups, you’ll love these other hearty options:

• Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup – Comfort in a bowl.
• Creamy Tomato Basil Soup – Smooth, rich, and perfect with a grilled cheese.
• Tortellini Soup – A family favorite, packed with cheese-filled pasta.

HERE’S A PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE –

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Lentil Soup

Servings: 8 people

This simple crock pot lentil soup is filled with lentil beans, vegetables and a delicious blend of spices, this soup is a healthy comfort food recipe.

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:6 hours hrs

Total Time:6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 onions, minced
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, minced (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 4 slices bacon
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms, soaked, rinsed and minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 3 carrots, chopped into 1/2 inch chunks
• 12 ounces portobello mushroom caps, gills removed, cut into 1/2-inch chunks (I used sliced bella mushrooms)
• 1 cup lentils, brown or green, rinsed and picked over
• 1 bay leaf
• 8 oz. Swiss chard, leaves only
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• In a small pan, add the first 6 ingredients – oil, onion, garlic, thyme, bacon, tomato paste, porcini mushrooms- and cook over medium/high heat, for about five minutes.
  
• To the crockpot, add both of the broths, carrots, fresh mushrooms, lentils and bay leaf into the slow cooker. Stir in bacon/onion mixture.
• Cover and cook until the soup is thickened and the lentils are tender -on low for 9 to 11 hours, or on high for 5 to 7 hours.
• When the soup has about 30 minutes left to cook, remove the bacon and bay leaf, and add in the chopped Swiss chard
• Season to taste with salt and pepper, serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 219 kcal · Carbohydrates: 26 g · Protein: 11 g · Fat: 9 g · Saturated Fat: 2 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g · Trans Fat: 0.02 g · Cholesterol: 10 mg · Sodium: 1078 mg · Potassium: 704 mg · Fiber: 10 g · Sugar: 6 g · Vitamin A: 5871 IU · Vitamin C: 15 mg · Calcium: 54 mg · Iron: 3 mg

Other Notes

Course: dinner, Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: crock pot, lentil, soup

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Megan is a food and fitness lover and the author of the blog Honey We’re Home. Megan was a contributor on Somewhat Simple in 2013.