Hearty Lentil Soup with Kielbasa and Lemon Recipe
A hearty and comforting lentil soup featuring tender red lentils, flavorful kielbasa, and aromatic vegetables slow-cooked to perfection. This cozy recipe is easy to prepare in a crockpot, making it perfect for a nourishing weeknight meal or a warming lunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups dried red lentils, rinsed
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 6 ounces kielbasa, cut into small bite-sized pieces
Seasonings and Finishing Touches
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon dried Italian herbs
- 2 & 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare Crockpot: Coat a 6-quart crockpot with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking during the slow cooking process.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced carrots and onion, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until tender. Add minced garlic and cook for about 20 seconds until fragrant. Season with crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Transfer the sautéed vegetable mixture to the crockpot. Add rinsed red lentils, low-sodium chicken broth, kielbasa pieces, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir everything together, then cover the crockpot.
- Slow Cook the Soup: Cook the soup on low heat for approximately 5 and 1/2 hours, or until the lentils are tender and the flavors have melded beautifully.
- Finish and Season: Stir in dried Italian herbs and lemon juice. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy on its own or with a side of crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit the kielbasa or replace it with plant-based sausage.
- Rinsing lentils before cooking helps remove debris and reduces foaming.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Lemon juice added at the end brightens the flavor and balances the richness of the kielbasa.
Keywords: lentil soup, crockpot recipe, slow cooker soup, kielbasa lentil soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe