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Home » Recipes » Soup Recipes

Spicy Crockpot Lentil Soup

Published: Jan 15, 2023 Last Updated: May 12, 2023 by Marye 1159 words. | About 6 minutes to read this article.

Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
8 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
This spicy lentil soup is a healthy, tasty, easy to make recipe that's both wholesome and protein rich. Make it in the crockpot or on top of the stove - both instructions included.
Overhead view of soup with text overlay for Pinterest.

Enjoy this crockpot lentil soup recipe but don't tell your family that it's chock full of nutrients!

Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • Lentil Soup Ingredients
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 📞 The last word
  • Spicy Crockpot Lentil Soup
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ 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.

Side view of lentil soup in a white bowl.

💭 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.

Do you have to soak the lentils before cooking?

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.

Are lentils healthy?

According the University of Florida lentils have many health benefits and may help prevent several diseases.

Do you have to stir the lentils while cooking?

Not when you make them in the slow cooker. If you make them on top of the stove it's good to stir once in awhile.

Can I make it ahead of time?

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! Here are some of my favorites.

  • Closeup of a bowl of soup for feature image.
    Crock Pot French Onion Soup
  • Overhead view of ravioli soup in a white bowl.
    Easy Ravioli Soup
  • Closeup of a soup bread bowl filled with creamy chowder.
    Best Soup Bread Bowls
  • Closeup of a spoonful of creamy chicken noodle soup.
    Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Overhead view of finished soup with tortilla chips.

📞 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! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Closeup of the finished soup with a cilantro garnish.
4.67 from 3 votes

Spicy Crockpot Lentil Soup

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This spicy lentil soup is a healthy, tasty, easy to make recipe that's both wholesome and protein rich. Make it in the crockpot or on top of the stove - both instructions included.
Course Soup
Cuisine Indian
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours hours
Total Time: 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Servings:4
Calories:464
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Slow Cooker
  • Blender

Ingredients

  • 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

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

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

Storage:
Let soup cool to room temperature then pour into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
You can freeze it for up to 3 months, too.
Tips:
This is an easy vegan recipe but these great cooking tips will make it even easier!
  • 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

Calories: 464kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 8g | Sodium: 560mg | Potassium: 1366mg | Fiber: 32g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 11620IU | Vitamin C: 25.2mg | Calcium: 127mg | Iron: 8.2mg

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    First published April 14, 2017 last updated January 15, 2023 for readability and more tips.

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    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

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