Healthy doesn't get any easier than this Cozy Slow Cooker Spicy Lentil Soup. Throw it all in. Forget about it. No fuss. Super easy. Super nutritious. Super tasty.
It is cold, grey and dreary and what is better for lunch or dinner on days like that than a big bowl of Cozy Slow Cooker Spicy Lentil Soup? In the winter, I swear that at least half of what I eat consists of soup and oatmeal. I am all about comfort food.
My slow cooker gets used a lot in the winter months. Favourites to make in it are my Three Bean Sweet Potato Chili and my Keema Lentils. I quite often also just throw a whole load of ingredients in and hope for the best, and this is how this Cozy Slow Cooker Spicy Lentil Soup originated. I have since made it at least 5 times, tweaking it here and there and it is now ready to introduce to you guys.
SOUP'S ON!
If you are pushed for time then this is the meal for you. It literally involves throwing everything in. No browning anything or pre-cooking the lentils at all and as long as the recipe is followed exactly, I would say it's virtually fool-proof. Not that any of you are fools of course, but there are a lot of people just starting their vegan journey at the moment with it being Veganuary and the start of a new year.
Page views on AVV have literally doubled from December to now which is fantastic as it means a whole new bunch of readers have joined us, many of which are probably brand new vegans. (Welcome to you if you are one of them - I am so glad you joined us!).
RELAX & LET YOUR SLOW COOKER DO ALL THE WORK
After spending your whole life cooking one way, with ingredients you are comfortable with, changing your mindset and having to get familiar with a whole new set of ingredients and cooking skills can be daunting.
If you are having nightmares about how to cook tofu so it actually tastes good, or if you are staring at your new package of nutritional yeast wondering what the heck to do with it then relax, dust your slow cooker off and make this Cozy Slow Cooker Spicy Lentil Soup instead.
There is plenty of time to learn all about tofu presses and other vegan things. Start with the easy stuff and break yourself in gently. The best vegan food is simple and uncomplicated, just like this soup. ♡
HOW TO MAKE MY COZY SLOW COOKER SPICY LENTIL SOUP
- Peel and chop veggies.
- Open a can of tomatoes and a carton of veggie broth.
- Throw it all in the slow cooker.
- Add some seasoning and water
- Turn on the slow cooker
- Leave for 5 to 8 hours
COME BACK TO THIS:
The red lentils melt down and thicken it beautifully, and the sweet potatoes become soft and melting. It is great as it is but if you prefer a thicker, stewier style soup, then just scoop out a few cups and blend them until smooth in a blender or with a stick blender, then return to the pan and stir it in. This will thicken it nicely without having to add anything else.
NO SLOW COOKER? NO PROBLEM!
If you don't have a slow cooker this soup can be cooked in a large pan on the stove. I have included directions in the recipe below.
SOME LEFTOVER LOVIN'
This Cozy Slow Cooker Spicy Lentil Soup is amazing with some big chunks of fresh crusty bread. The recipe makes a great big pot which reheats beautifully and will keep for up to 1 week in the fridge. Perfect for even easier dinners or lunches through the week. My husband likes to take it to work in a Thermos for lunch.
I am seriously excited for you to try this. It is so delicious! Be a ☆ and let me know what you think in the comments below or share a pic on Instagram. I am @avirtualvegan. use the hashtag #avirtualvegan to be sure I don't miss it.
Cozy Slow Cooker Spicy Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 1 very large | about 4 cups sweet potato chopped into bite sized chunks
- 2 medium white potatoes chopped into bite sized chunks, you can sub for more sweet potato or carrots if you prefer
- 4 large carrots chopped into bite sized chunks
- 2 ribs celery sliced thinly
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 bell pepper any colour | diced
- 2 banana chili peppers see recipe notes for variations and tips on heat
- 4 large cloves garlic
- 1 cup | 240mls canned diced tomatoes or 1 cup of diced fresh tomatoes
- ½ cup of green lentils
- ½ cup of red lentils see recipe note
- 1 large bay leaf
- 1 litre | 4 cups mushroom broth you can sub any veggie broth but if you can find mushroom broth it has a deeper flavour - I buy Pacific brand and it has an awesome deep almost beefy flavour
- 1 litre | 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt taste when nearly cooked and add a bit more if necessary
- ¾ teaspoon pepper again taste when nearly cooked and add a bit more if necessary
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place all ingredients into a slow cooker. My slow cooker holds 6 quarts and was quite full. If yours is smaller you will need to scale the recipe down to fit.
- Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or low for 7-8 hours.
- When nearly ready to serve check seasoning & scoop out the bay leaf.
- If you would like to thicken it a little remove 2 - 3 cups and blend until smooth them return them back to the slow cooker and stir. Or insert a stick blender into the slow cooker and blend until it's at the texture you like.
For cooking in a pan
- Saute the onions in a little oil until golden brown. You will need to do this in a large pan.
- Add the garlic and continue cooking for another minute. Add all of the other ingredients, cover with a lid and simmer until just starting to bubble. Turn down to low and cook for around 2 hours, or until the vegetables are tender. Be sure to stir occasionally while it is cooking.
- Follow my directions in the slow cooker instructions above for thickening the soup if necessary.
NOTES
NUTRITION
Nutritional information is provided for convenience & as a courtesy only. The data is a computer generated estimate so should be used as a guide only.
Stephanie says
Hello,
I have made this Soup last weekend and all I can say is that I loved it. The flavor and texture was just soul pleasing. I don't know how else I can describe it. It just made me happy. Completely warm and happy.
Thank you or the recipe😊 I have to do this one again, very soon
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm really pleased you enjoyed it Stephanie!
Cyrus says
Looks delicious. What is a serving size for this soup? 1 cup?
A Virtual Vegan says
A serving size would be an 1/8th of the total recipe. I work out the servings from however many bowls we got from the batch when we were eating it and in this case it was 8. That would be pretty large servings though. Our bowls are a nice size!
Varalekshmy Raghavan says
This can be made in a pressure cooker in just half hour.
A Virtual Vegan says
That's good to know. Thank you!
Ginny McMeans says
This is the kind of simple and delicious slow cooker recipe that I like. Love that you are using two different lentils too.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Ginny. You can't beat using the slow cooker for soups and stews in the winter!
Sarah says
I'm all about soup and oatmeal!!! Lentil Soup is one of my favorites—yours looks delicious!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks Sarah!
Melissa |Vegan Huggs says
This soup looks so savory and mouth-watering. I love the added spice from the banana chili peppers. Sounds so yummy with the slight sweetness and a spicy kick. I need to start using a slow cooker. Seems like it would make life easier.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Melissa. I love my slow cooker and use it a lot. It's so lovely to be able to set it and forget. It makes dinner times much less stressful!
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen says
I could have used a big bowl of this today – it was freezing here!
A Virtual Vegan says
It was here too. And so windy. Roll on summer!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
I'm a big lentil soup fan! I look forward to trying your spicy version.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks Amy. Enjoy!
Jenn says
Not only does the crockpot make things super easy, but it also makes your house smells awesome all day! Score! This soup looks so comforting. The wind is howling outside right now and I'd love to cozy up under a blanket with a big bowl of this soup!
A Virtual Vegan says
I am just about to do just that! Thank you Jenn :O)
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition says
This seriously looks like the perfect dinner tonight. I cannot get warm so a big bowl of this would be amazing!
It's fun seeing all the new vegans for Veganuary!
A Virtual Vegan says
We are having it again tonight. It's freezing here too. I just walked Chester on the beach and forgot my hat. My face and ears have never been so cold. I can't wait for the soup to hurry up and be ready!