Home » Slow Cooker Lentil Soup - Yellow Lentil Soup

Slow Cooker Lentil Soup - Yellow Lentil Soup

Published -Mar 24, 2017 Update -Dec 20, 2019 Veena AzmanovWords - 1151 words. About 6 minutes to read this article. This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and other sides. This blog generates income via ads.

Recipe Video Print

Slow-Cooker Yellow Lentil Soup

This slow-cooker lentil soup is nutritious, hearty and flavorful. Serve it with crusty bread and a side salad for a complete meal. The yellow lentils are slow-cooked until soft you can barely see the grains. Flavored with ginger, garlic, turmeric, and fresh cilantro this will become a family favorite very soon.

This slow cooker lentil soup is not just nutritious but hearty and flavorful. Serve it with crusty bread and a side salad for a simple week night dinner. The lentils are cooked until so soft you can barely see the grains. The fresh cilantro add so much more than just flavor. — Homemade Soup with Yellow Lentils in the slow cooker/crockpot

I can honestly say the slow cooker and these dried lentils, legumes, beans, etc... are a match made in heaven.

One of my all-time cooking frustrations use to be when I want to make lentils, beans, legumes - I'd always forget to soak them and boil them ahead of time. I'm not the one to stock on canned food much which does not help much.

So usually I buy these in dried foam which means - I have to soak them overnight or between 6 to 8 hours to re-hydrate them. Then cook than on the stovetop in a pot of boiling water which usually can take from 45 minutes to an hour. After that, I'd usually cook them into a curry or soup or add them to the chilly, etc. Sometimes I'd made extra and freeze too.

Now I don't have to soak them/ re-hydrate them or even boil them for 45 minutes. I just place them in the slow cooker and it cooks them until.

Table of Contents

Let's talk ingredients and substitutes (Save/Pin)

Lentils - I love yellow lentils more than any other. But all lentils are nutritious and almost any lentils can be used in place on this yellow variety in this soup.
Ginger - this can be optional but I do believe it adds that little extra zing to this soup
Cilantro - this herb here is not for garnish - it does add a lot more flavor and taste too! So I highly recommend you add cilantro.
Stock - Well, ideally water would work too but added vegetable or chicken stock is always a great way to add something more.
Sometimes, I add a few bones I get from the butcher for my stock to my slow cooker while the lentils are slow cooking. It just adds more flavor.
Turmeric -It's optional !! Yes, it's optional. Apart from the fact that it has many health benefits I love the color, it adds to this soup.

Why do I saute the Onions, garlic/ginger?

I know most people like to just add the ginger, garlic, and onion into the slow cooker but I personally don't like raw onions very much - I prefer the taste of sauteed onions as compared to stewed onions. But you can just add them in if you prefer.

Useful Tips and Tools

In the interest of good hygiene, it is a good practice to always use separate chopping boards, one for the veggies and a separate one for the meat.
A chef's knife does a great job of cutting meats, while a utility knife works best for the veggies.
And, a heavy-bottom saute-pan or cast-iron skillet to sauté if using any veggies.
Slow cooker or Crock-Pots are readily available these days and also quite affordable. They make meal planning so much easier, avoiding that last-minute stress of "what's for dinner?" If possible, choose one that has the option to sauté, so you can do everything in one pot including browning the meat. My only regret is that I can't brown the meats or saute the onions in the same pot. By the way, the Instant Pot also has a slow cooker option. And I'm pretty excited that I will be able to use it for slow cooking.
And, if you don't have a slow cooker, a good quality Dutch oven does a great job of slow cooking on the stovetop.
If you plan to cook it on the stovetop, but don't have a Dutch oven, use a heavy-bottom skillet that will endure the long slow cooking. You can also use a heat tamer or heat diffuser that you can place under the pan to distribute the heat evenly.
Also, I like to use my wooden spatula to cook, so I do not damage the surface of my pans.
And, if you following a recipe it's best to use measuring cups and spoons for accuracy.
Read - 10 essential pots and pan to help you cook better.

How to Make A Crock Pot / Slow Cooker Yellow Lentil Soup (Save/Pin)

Clean and wash the lentils in running water several times
Place lentils in the slow cooker with 2 cups water
Switch the slow cooker on low for 2 hours
In a saute pan cook the chopped onion, garlic, ginger until onions are translucent
Add turmeric and coriander and bay leaves.
Transfer onion mixture it to the slow cooker
Add stock and Cilantro. (save some cilantro for garnish)
Cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the lentils are completely mushed up.
Check seasoning and consistency - adding water to bring to a thick soup consistency.
Garnish with cilantro and serve with some crusty or toasted bread.

Frequently asked questions

How long with this yellow lentil soup keep?

The delicious slow-cooker lentil soup will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. You can also keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Always thaw in the fridge overnight for the best results.

Do I need to soak lentils before cooking?

You can cook lentils without soaking but they do take longer. Soaking helps with cooking them quicker as well as with a softer texture.

Can I make this lentil soup spicy?

Yes, of course, you can add about a 1 tsp of hot paprika or 1 tsp chopped green chilies when sauteing the onions

Can I make this a vegan yellow lentil soup?

This is already a vegan soup with no dairy or

Can you overcook lentils?

I like overcooked lentils because they are softer and more delicious.

Can I make this yellow lentil soup on the stovetop instead of slow-cooker?

yes, you can cook this soup on the stovetop and the lentils usually take between 30 to 45 minutes to cook until soft.

SAVE THIS RECIPE ON PINTEREST FOR LATER. TRIED MY RECIPE? SHARE IT WITH ME, PLEASE.
Share a picture of your work with me by uploading an image here below my image on this board. You can also find a collection of my tutorials and recipes here on Pinterest.

Comments

If you tried my recipe I'd love your feedback. It would also encourage others to try the recipe. Thank you in advance Cancel reply