I’ve been making lentil soup for about 23 years so far. It’s easy, super healthy, and just right on a cold day. Lentil Soup works really well in a slow cooker because it doesn’t include any noodles or rice that can turn to mush. It still tastes great even after 12-13 hours of cooking on low. When we first moved to New Mexico, I couldn’t get the lentils to cook like they did back in Virginia, and I blamed it on the high altitude. Turns out it was the hard water instead. I’ve modified the recipe to use chicken broth instead of water, and now it turns out perfect every time. Depending on the saltiness of the sausage, you may need to add extra salt and pepper at the table.
Sometimes we serve lentil soup with cornbread muffins, other times we just serve fresh bread on the side. Crackers are good too.
I’ve been cooking this since before the boys were born. The all 4 boys have always happily eaten their lentil soup, which I attribute to introducing it early. Since we often eat slow cooker food really late, after a game or concert, everyone is really hungry when we finally sit down to dinner. But I know not to serve this to their friends – most (American) kids only eat “kid food”. So glad my boys aren’t like that.
In order to get out the door early in the morning, I prepare as much as I can the night before. That means chopping the veggies and sausage and storing them in the fridge overnight. Also, I get out my slow cooker and measure out the lentils and dry spices. I set out the canned diced tomatoes and canned chicken broth next to the slow cooker. In the morning, it’s just dump and go. I just have to be sure to turn on the slow cooker before I race out the door to get the boys to band practice on time.
Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups dry lentils
- 1 lb fully cooked smoked turkey sausage sliced
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 cup carrot chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes Italian seasoned
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregeno
- 2 cans chicken broth
- 1 can water
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker, and cook on low all day.
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