Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Sausage & Lentil Soup (Print Version)
Enjoy a hearty, comforting slow cooker beef sausage and lentil soup. This easy recipe delivers rich flavor with minimal effort, perfect for a satisfying meal.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 480 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 500 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: European
Dietary: Dairy-Free
# Ingredients:
→ The Hearty Foundation
01 -
1 lb lean beef sausage (e.g., Italian style)
02 -
1 1/2 cups brown or green lentils, rinsed
03 -
1 tbsp olive oil
→ Aromatic & Garden Goodness
04 -
1 large yellow onion, chopped
05 -
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
06 -
2 celery stalks, diced
07 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
08 -
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
09 -
2 tbsp tomato paste
10 -
6 cups low-sodium beef broth
11 -
4 cups chopped kale, tough stems removed
→ Depth & Savory Spices
12 -
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
13 -
2 bay leaves
14 -
1 tsp dried thyme
15 -
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
16 -
Salt and black pepper to taste
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb lean beef sausage, breaking it up, and cook until browned. Remove sausage, leaving drippings. Add 1 large yellow onion, 2 large carrots, and 2 celery stalks to the skillet; sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
02 -
Stir in 4 cloves minced garlic and 2 tbsp tomato paste into the skillet with the vegetables. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly. This builds a rich flavor base for your Hearty Beef Sausage & Lentil Soup (Slow Cooker).
03 -
Transfer the browned sausage and sautéed vegetables to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add 1 1/2 cups rinsed brown or green lentils, 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes (undrained), 6 cups low-sodium beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika.
04 -
Stir all ingredients well in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the lentils are tender and the flavors have melded. This slow cooking process is key for a truly Hearty Beef Sausage & Lentil Soup (Slow Cooker).
05 -
About 30 minutes before serving, stir in 4 cups chopped kale (tough stems removed) into the slow cooker. Replace the lid and continue cooking until the kale is wilted and tender, about 15-20 minutes.
06 -
Remove the bay leaves. Taste the Hearty Beef Sausage & Lentil Soup (Slow Cooker) and season generously with salt and black pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and serve warm, perhaps with a crusty bread.
# Notes:
01 -
Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken sausage instead of beef sausage for a lighter option. Adjust seasoning as needed.
02 -
Leftover soup stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days, or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
03 -
Enhance your soup with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, or a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce.
04 -
For an extra layer of flavor, add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar along with the beef broth in step 3.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
6-quart slow cooker
02 -
large skillet
03 -
cutting board
04 -
chef's knife
05 -
measuring cups
06 -
measuring spoons
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 364 kcal
Total Fat: 14 g
Total Carbohydrate: 37 g
Protein: 24 g