Description
Hearty Detox Crockpot Lentil Soup delivers nourishing comfort with wholesome ingredients. Packed with vegetables and spices, this easy recipe supports wellness while satisfying hunger for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
- 6 cups (1.4 L) vegetable broth (or water + bouillon)
- 1 (14.5 oz/411 g) can diced tomatoes
- 1 medium sweet potato or Yukon gold potato, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (475 ml) chopped kale or spinach (added at the end)
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 0.5 tsp dried thyme
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.75 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (for brightness)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Combine dried lentils, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and sweet potato in the crockpot, creating a robust foundation for the hearty soup.
- Seasoning: Incorporate diced tomatoes and carefully selected spices to elevate the soup’s aromatic complexity and depth of flavor.
- Liquid Integration: Pour vegetable broth over the ingredients, ensuring thorough mixing and even distribution throughout the slow cooker.
- Slow Cooking: Secure the lid and set the crockpot to low temperature, allowing the soup to gently simmer and develop rich, nuanced flavors for 6-7 hours (or 4-5 hours on high setting).
- Final Touches: During the last 20 minutes, introduce leafy greens like kale or spinach, and add a splash of fresh lemon juice to brighten the overall taste profile.
- Finishing: Gently stir the wilting greens, perform a final flavor adjustment, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley to create a vibrant, nutritious soup ready to be served.
Notes
- Optimize Lentil Absorption: Rinse lentils thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent a mushy texture, ensuring a perfect al dente consistency.
- Layer Flavor Strategically: Sauté onions, garlic, and spices in a separate pan before adding to the crockpot to intensify the soup’s depth and aromatic profile.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Easily convert the recipe to gluten-free by using certified gluten-free vegetable broth and checking spice blend ingredients.
- Manage Cooking Time Carefully: Avoid overcooking lentils by checking texture periodically, especially when using high-temperature settings to prevent broken-down, mushy legumes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-8 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 1.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg