This hearty lentil soup is made with smoked sausage, vegetables, tomatoes and lentils, all simmered in an herb broth. An easy one pot dinner option that the whole family will love!
In my opinion, you can never go wrong with soup. Whether it’s a slow cooker chicken tortellini soup or a savory stuffed pepper soup, it’s always a hit in my house. This lentil soup is full of flavor, color and texture and is a total crowd pleaser.
I try to incorporate lentils into my family’s diet when possible. Lentils are full of nutrition, inexpensive and packed with protein. A veggie packed lentil soup is our favorite way to enjoy lentils, the smoked sausage really makes this one special!
How do you make lentil soup?
This soup starts with carrots, onions and celery cooked in a little olive oil. The veggies are combined with smoked sausage, brown lentils, chicken broth, tomatoes and herb. The soup simmers until the lentils are tender, then it’s time to eat!
Do you have to soak lentils before cooking them?
Unlike other dried legumes, lentils are quick cooking. They are typically ready to eat after a 20-30 minute simmer. Therefore, you do not have to worry about soaking your lentils before you cook them. That being said, good to give them a quick rinse before they go into the pot!
Are lentils healthy?
Lentils are chock full of folic acid, iron, potassium, manganese and Vitamin B6. They’re also relatively low calorie, high fiber, and loaded with protein. Lentils are a great choice for a healthy diet, especially combined with the veggies in this soup.
Tips for lentil soup
- I use the rope style pre-cooked smoked sausage for this soup. I typically use turkey sausage because it has less fat and calories, but still has plenty of flavor.
- This recipe calls for brown lentils, which are the most common lentils that can be found in all grocery stores. If you prefer, you can use green lentils. I wouldn’t use red lentils for this recipe, as they tend to get mushy and not hold their shape.
- Lentil soup is the perfect candidate for the freezer. Place your soup in a resealable freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Lentil soup can also be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days before you plan to enjoy it.
- I like to serve lentil soup with a side of bread, such as garlic knots or honey cornbread.
Vegetarian Lentil Soup
Looking to make a meatless lentil soup? You can easily adapt this recipe by omitting the sausage, adding an extra 1/2 cup of lentils, and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. I’d recommend adding a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the soup so that you still get that great smoky flavor without the meat.
Slow cooker Lentil Soup
Lentil soup can easily be made in the slow cooker. Simply saute your vegetables and sausage, then place everything except for the parsley in a slow cooker. Cook on low heat for 3-4 hours or until lentils are tender.
I make this soup constantly during the colder weather months – it’s quick to put together, relatively healthy and totally delicious!
More fabulous soup recipes
Lentil Soup with Smoked Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 3 carrots peeled, halved and sliced
- 3 stalks celery sliced
- 14 ounces smoked sausage halved and sliced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 15 ounce can diced tomatoes do not drain
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups dry brown lentils rinsed
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots and celery and cook for 4-5 minutes or until softened.
- Add the sausage and cook for 2-3 more minutes or until just browned.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, lentils and salt and pepper to the pot. Bring to a simmer.
- Cook for 20-25 minutes or until lentils are tender. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
This was delicious!! I’d never had lentils before, and these flavors together were amazing!!
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it and I appreciate you reporting back!
This sounds delicious! It looks very similar to a traditional recipe we inherited from the Spanish “guiso de lentejas” meaning “lentil stew”. Except we add bell peppers and squash as the scope is to have the whole thing become less liquid tha a soup.
Lentil is one of my favorite pulses to eat. I can’t remember having lentil soup, however. But with those tasty veggies and precooked turkey sausages added to the lentils that soup is guaranteed to be delicious.
Wow this looks amazing. I have been looking for some great soup recipes since it has been so cold. thanks for sharing!
This looks so delicious! Brown lentils are my favorite. Within in a soup or with rice and meat. Looking forward to trying this.
Mmmmm, this looks amazing! I’d definitely like to give this recipe a whirl! I love lentils in soups 🙂 x
This is perfect cold weather recipe. Adding to my must try list.
I tried this soup, and let me tell you– it was fantastic! All I did was sub out the sausage for veggie sausage, but other than that, I followed the recipe to a tee. It was delicious. Will definitely be making this again!
this recipe looks so so good. especially for colder months, when you get tired of the same ol’ recipes. I am adding this one to our weekly menu for sure!
Oh gosh these soups Looks So delicious,I’m pretty much hungry after looking at them yummm!
This looks soo good! I’ll definitely try it out, and your recipe is very easy to follow.
I haven’t made Lentil and Sausage Soup in such a long time. Looks like a delicious soup!
I never heard of lentil soup before but looks tasty. thanks for sharing this recipe.
I love the vegetarian soup option. My first thought when I saw the pics was “just take out the sausage please”. Thanks for the variations. Looks amazing!!
This looks like such a fulfilling and delicious dish! Nothing beats a big old bowl of soup at this time of year.
I haven’t prepared lentil soup before, but thanks to your article, just learned how I can prepare it.
I have not had a nice bowl of lentil soup in a very long time and ironically I just told someone that yesterday and now I come to your post. I did not know that lentil had so many good benefits to eating it. I also did not know that you could freeze it and keep it for a while. I will make some soon.
Ooh , I can actually smell the aroma of this Lentil soup. , WE Indians have similar dish like this called Sambaar, which we prepare almost daily.
I’ve definitely gotta try this. My best friend has been raving about lentils but I’ve always been so nervous about it. This must be the sign!
That sounds amazing! I love the smokiness of the sausage with the earthiness of the lentils. I can’t wait to make this!