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Home » slow cooker » Slow Cooker Lentil and Ham Soup

Slow Cooker Lentil and Ham Soup

Published: Sep 22, 2019 · Modified: Mar 22, 2020 by Louisa Clements · This post may contain affiliate links

This post may contain affiliate links

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4 hours 15 minutes 5 Comments

Slow cooker lentil and ham soup is a cheap and cheerful slow cooker lentil recipe made with pantry staples. This recipe contains affiliate links.

Slow cooker lentil and ham soup in a bowl.

I am a true believer in the slow cooker, it’s a handy tool for every kitchen. Don’t get me wrong, there are certain foods that work better with a long braise in the oven or are better suited for the stove top, but on the other hand, there are some dishes that are just made for the slow cooker.

Enter this slow cooker lentil soup with ham. There is no pre-cooking required–all you need to do is add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker, and let the gentle heat do all the work.

There is no need to precook or soak the lentils, that’s the beauty of slow cooker lentil recipes! I also love making congee in the slow cooker for another dump-and-go slow cooker recipe.

A ladle full of slow cooker lentil and ham soup.

This is a go-to recipe for those busy cold, winter days. Or for those days when you just don’t really feel like cooking. A little chopping is all that is required.

This slow cooker soup is definitely inspired by French cuisine. It starts with a mirepoix (a combination of onions, carrots and celery). You could throw in leftover ham (if you have some on hand), but I usually just buy the smoked ham when it’s on sale at the grocery store. All that’s left to do is adding some lentils, herbs and the liquid.

Which herbs should I use in slow cooker lentil soup?

Generally speaking, herbs that are sturdier work best in slow cooker recipes. I’d generally reach for dried herbs when a long cook time is involved. Rosemary is my-go in a recipe like this slow cooker lentil soup with ham, but oregano or thyme would also be great.

Slow cooker filled with cooked lentil and ham soup

When the soup is done, I finish it off with a couple of handfuls of chopped fresh spinach (they add nice colour to the otherwise brown soup) and a hit of cider vinegar to brighten the flavours. Definitely don’t skip the vinegar at the end—though you could also use lemon in a pinch.

I also stir in olive oil at the end for a smooth finish and mouthfeel, it’s a perfect finishing touch.

This is a cozy soup recipe that I would 100% serve with some cheesy garlic bread. Hello, winter comfort food!

Slow cooker lentil and ham soup in a bowl.

Slow Cooker Lentil and Ham Soup

Author: Louisa Clements
5 from 6 votes
Slow cooker lentil and ham soup is a cheap and cheerful slow cooker lentil recipe made with pantry staples.
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Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 15 minutes
servings icon
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 stalk of celery, finely diced
  • 1 carrot, finely diced
  • ½ yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups diced ham
  • 1 ¼ cups green lentils
  • 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes, or 796mL
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 ½ tsp cider vinegar
  • 2 cups chopped spinach

Instructions

  • In a slow cooker insert, stir celery with carrot, yellow onion, garlic, ham, green lentils, diced tomatoes, chicken stock, water, rosemary, bay leaf and salt.
  • Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.
  • Stir in olive oil, cider vinegar and chopped spinach.
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment + rating and let me know what you think!
Filed Under: Dinner Recipes, easy, gluten free, slow cooker, soup
Nutrition Facts
Slow Cooker Lentil and Ham Soup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 307 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 25mg8%
Sodium 1132mg49%
Potassium 877mg25%
Carbohydrates 37g12%
Fiber 13g54%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 22g44%
Vitamin A 2806IU56%
Vitamin C 19mg23%
Calcium 88mg9%
Iron 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is an estimate and is provided for informational purposes only. If you have any specific dietary concerns, please consult with your healthcare practitioner.

Let me know if you give this slow cooker lentil and ham soup a try in the comments below.

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Comments

  1. Susan

    December 12, 2020 at 1:50 pm

    I only had fresh rosemary so used that and the soup is great! Oh, and I grated one large carrot (instead of chopping) since my husband is not a big carrot fan.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  2. Kimberly

    February 16, 2020 at 6:17 pm

    This soup was delicious! I substituted smoked Polish sausage for ham and used all chicken broth instead of water. I increased the veggies, too, because I like a heartier soup. I also cooked it for six hours in the crockpot instead of four. Very good!
    ★★★★★

    5 stars

    Reply
    • Louisa Clements

      March 22, 2020 at 6:43 pm

      Thank you Kimberly! I bet the Polish sausage was delicious in here and extra veggies is always a win in my book! I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe. :)
      Reply
  3. Lisa

    October 07, 2019 at 4:55 pm

    Hi Louisa Found that I needed to cook the soup longer. Lentils were not soft. Otherwise great taste. Thank you for the recipe.
    ★★★★★

    5 stars

    Reply
    • Louisa Clements

      November 10, 2019 at 10:05 am

      Thanks Lisa! Lentils can be tricky sometimes and can require different amounts of cooking, I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe!
      Reply

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Hi, I'm Louisa Clements & welcome to Living Lou. I've been creating simple, fresh & flavorful recipes for the modern kitchen for 12 years.
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