Enjoy this crockpot lentil soup recipe but don't tell your family that it's chock full of nutrients!
Table of Contents
❤️ Why you'll love it
Budget friendly and vegan, lentil soup is yummy comfort food with a kick from chipotle.
Lime adds a zap of bright flavor.
Easy to make and easy on the budget! It would be great with this easy, no knead beer bread on the side.
Lentil Soup Ingredients
It always amazes me how a few simple ingredients can result in so much flavor. This is definitely on my favorites list - and I think you'll agree.
- Dried Lentils make up the majority of the soup. Lentils pack plenty of protein and fiber but don't generally cause the gassiness that beans do. They don't need to be soaked and cook really quickly.
- Chipotle pepper brings heat and smokiness to this recipe. A chipotle is a smoked and dried jalapeno, by the way.
- Celery adds texture and flavor - it's part of the Big Three (mirepoix) for seasoning.
- Carrots are used to bring sweetness and texture - also one of the three ingredients in mirepoix.
- Onions are essential in most of my savory dishes and this is no different. Use a mellow yellow onion like a Vidalia or 1015s.
- Garlic adds pungency that balances out the earthiness of the lentils.
- Tomato puree adds sweetness and acidity.
- Adobo sauce contains paprika and chipotles. You can get chipotles canned in adobo and make a paste with them instead of using the chipotle above.
- Olive oil helps to intensify the flavor since lentils have little or no fat.
- Fresh parsley is a great garnish and adds a fresh flavor. I prefer cilantro, though.
- Lime juice adds brightness to the dish that really makes the flavor pop.
🥫 Storage
Let leftover soup come to room temperature and put it in an airtight container. It will be fine in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To Freeze:
This recipe freezes like a dream!
Place cooled soup in an airtight freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months.
When you thaw it out you'll likely need to add a little water to thin it down some. Store in the freezer up to 3 months.
💭 Things to know
This is an easy vegan recipe but these great cooking tips will make it even easier!
Expert Tip: You may also use the hand blender to make the spicy lentil soup silky in texture.
- To get the soup in coarse texture, use the wooden ladle to mash the lentils.
- For garnishing, reserve ¼ cup of cooked lentils.
- Garnishing can also be done with chopped fresh cilantro leaves or a blob of sour cream or some tortilla strips.
- Vegetable broth can be substituted for water in this crockpot lentil soup recipe.
- Using the pressure cooker or Instant pot cuts the cooking time down to 20 minutes.
- You may also add other vegetables while cooking the lentils to make it more nutritious.
- The leftover can be refrigerated and can be used later.
- No need to soak the lentils ahead of time.
👩🍳 FAQs
Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.
Nope! One of the things I love about lentils is that they are SO dang quick and easy! Just sort them to make sure there are no pebbles, rinse and drain them, and they are ready to go.
According the University of Florida lentils have many health benefits and may help prevent several diseases.
Not when you make them in the
Yes! It's even better the next day! You'll just need to add a little water to thin it to your liking.
📚 Related recipes
There are plenty of other soups you'll love here on Restless Chipotle, like this vegan Weight Watchers cabbage soup. Here are some more of my favorites.
📞 The last word
We're in for plenty of chilly, rainy weather! Give this lentil soup recipe a try and see if it isn't a bite of sunshine!
Rather have something creamy? Try this amazing beer cheese soup or hearty chicken corn chowder.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Spicy Crockpot Lentil Soup
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 2 cups Lentils
- 4 Celery stalks
- 2 cups Carrots, diced
- ½ cup Onion, chopped
- ¼ cup Garlic, chopped
- ¼ cup tomato puree
- 2 teaspoons Adobo Sauce, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 chipotle chiles, seeded minced
- ½ Cup Parsley, chopped
- 1 ½ tablespoons Lime juice
- 8 cups Water
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Crock Pot
- Add all ingredients except the parsley and lime to a slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
- Add the lime and parsley.
- Serve.
Stove Top
- In a heavy bottomed pot, add oil followed by chopped onion.
- In medium flame, cook it until it becomes tender by stirring occasionally.
- Add garlic, cook it until garlic slightly discolors.
- Add finely chopped chipotle and adobo sauce.
- Add tomato puree and continue to stir for another minute.
- Now add lentil, cubed celery stalks, cubed carrots, salt, and water.
- Bring the soup to boil, and simmer.
- Cover and cook it for about 40 mins. Do check and stir in between.
- Use a wooden ladle to mash the lentils to coarse texture or blend in the blender for a smooth texture.
- Add lime juice, chopped fresh parsley.
- Transfer it to a serving bowl. Top it with a blob of sour cream(optional) and serve.
- Can be served warm or at room temperature along with tortilla chips or strips.
Notes
- You may also use the hand blender to make the spicy lentil soup silky in texture.
- To get the soup in coarse texture, use the wooden ladle to mash the lentils.
- For garnishing, reserve ¼ cup of cooked lentils.
- Garnishing can also be done with chopped fresh cilantro leaves or a blob of sour cream or some tortilla strips.
- Vegetable broth can be substituted for water in this recipe.
- Using the pressure cooker or Instant pot cuts the cooking time down to 20 minutes.
- You may also add other vegetables while cooking the lentils to make it more nutritious.
- The leftover can be refrigerated and can be used later.
- No need to soak the lentils ahead of time.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
First published April 14, 2017 last updated January 15, 2023 for readability and more tips.
This post was originally written by Sujatha Muralidhar of Pepperbowl. You may also like these other lentil recipes:
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