Lentil & Spinach Soup (Slow Cooker Style) Recipe
A hearty and nutritious Lentil & Spinach Soup made effortlessly in the slow cooker. Packed with green lentils, fresh vegetables, and warming spices, this comforting soup is perfect for a wholesome meal any day of the week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours (low) or 3.5 hours (high)
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 45 minutes (high)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 2 cups dried green lentils (sorted & rinsed)
- 8 cups vegetable stock
- 2 stalks celery (small diced)
- 4 medium carrots (small diced)
- 1 medium onion (small diced)
- 1 shallot (small diced)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 14-oz can fire roasted petite diced tomatoes
- 1 dried bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Finishing Ingredients
- 9 oz bag fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a 6-quart or larger slow cooker, add the green lentils, vegetable stock, diced celery, carrots, onion, shallot, minced garlic, fire roasted diced tomatoes, bay leaf, dried thyme, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and kosher salt. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly before cooking.
- Cook the Soup: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the low setting for 7 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld and the lentils to soften perfectly, creating a rich and hearty soup base.
- Add Spinach and Vinegar: About 15 minutes before the end of the cooking time, remove the bay leaf. Then add the roughly chopped fresh spinach and red wine vinegar to the slow cooker. Stir to mix, and let the soup cook just long enough for the spinach to wilt, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with additional ground black pepper or grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your warm, nutritious lentil and spinach soup!
Notes
- Be sure to sort and rinse lentils to remove any debris before adding to the slow cooker.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, you can partially puree a portion of the soup before adding the spinach.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to suit your preferred spice level.
- To keep the soup vegan, omit Parmesan cheese garnish or use a plant-based alternative.
- This soup freezes well; store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Keywords: lentil soup, spinach soup, slow cooker soup, vegan soup, healthy lentil recipe, easy soup, Mediterranean soup, plant-based dinner
