Slow Cooker Lentil and Sausage Soup
Everyone will fall in love with this bountiful lentil and sausage soup! Make the soup with smoked sausage, browned Italian sausage, or spicy andouille.
This slow cooker lentil soup has it all! The soup is made with a variety of vegetables and tomatoes, along with smoked sausage and lentils. It’s a versatile soup, so feel free to use whatever sausage you like. Smoked sausage is called for, but browned Italian sausage, ground beef, or diced ham would be excellent alternatives. Or make it a vegetarian soup by omitting the meat and using vegetable broth.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Hands-off cooking. Everything goes in the slow cooker and cooks to perfection.
Flexible protein options. Smoked sausage, andouille, or Italian sausage all work well.
Easy to make vegetarian. Omit the sausage and use vegetable broth.
Hearty and filling. Lentils make this a complete meal without much effort.
Ingredient Notes
- Lentils – Brown or green lentils hold their shape well and work best here.
- Sausage – Smoked sausage, kielbasa, andouille, or browned Italian sausage all add great flavor.
- Broth – Chicken broth keeps it savory; vegetable broth works for a vegetarian version.
- Aromatics – Onion, carrot, celery, and garlic build the base flavor as they cook down.
- Tomatoes – Add acidity and depth in the last stretch of cooking.
Steps to Make Slow Cooker Lentil and Sausage Soup
- Add the lentils, sliced sausage, bay leaves, broth, and vegetables to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low until the lentils are tender.
- Add the tomatoes and adjust the seasoning.
- Continue cooking until the flavors come together.
- Remove the bay leaves and serve.
Tips
- Rinse the lentils before adding them to the slow cooker to remove any dust.
- For extra flavor, brown the sausage before adding it.
- Add spinach or kale during the last 20 minutes for a boost of greens.
- If the soup gets too thick, stir in extra broth at the end.
Recipe Variations
- Make it vegetarian. Omit the sausage and use vegetable broth.
- Use andouille. Adds a delicious smoky-spicy kick.
- Try Italian sausage. Brown it first for a richer flavor.
- Add potatoes. Stir in diced potatoes for a heartier, stew-like bowl.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with crusty bread or cornbread.
- Pair with a simple green salad.
- Add hot sauce for a little heat.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or Parmesan.
How to Store
Refrigerate: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Lentil soup freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth if the soup has thickened.
Serve this soup with freshly baked cornbread or crusty bread. Add a tossed salad for a well-rounded family meal.
Slow Cooker Lentil and Sausage Soup
Ingredients
- 8 ounces lentils, about 1 cup
- 12 to 16 ounces smoked sausage, your favorite variety, thinly sliced
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 14.5 ounce can tomatoes, diced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker, combine the lentils with sausage, bay leaves, chicken broth, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours, or until the lentils are tender.
- Add the tomatoes and taste for seasoning. Add salt and pepper, as needed, and continue cooking for 1 to 2 hours longer.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
