Slow Cooker Cardiac-Friendly Vegetable Lentil Soup
A heart-healthy, slow-cooked lentil soup packed with nutrient-rich vegetables and aromatic herbs, perfect for a comforting and wholesome meal. This american-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 255 minutes pairs rinsed dry green lentils, medium, peeled and diced carrots, diced celery stalks for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup rinsed dry green lentils
- 2 medium, peeled and diced carrots
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes (canned, no salt added)
- 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp crushed dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped, for garnish fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: In a skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 2 diced celery stalks, 2 diced carrots, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a slow cooker. Add 1 cup rinsed dry green lentils, 14 oz canned diced tomatoes (no salt added), 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp crushed dried rosemary, 1 bay leaf, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Stir gently, cover, and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until lentils and vegetables are tender.
- Step 4: Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice to brighten flavors.
- Step 5: Ladle soup into bowls and garnish each serving with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm with whole grain bread if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Cardiac-Friendly Vegetable Lentil Soup take to make?
Total time is about 255 minutes (15 min prep + 240 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow Cooker Cardiac-Friendly Vegetable Lentil Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rinsed dry green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Cardiac-Friendly Vegetable Lentil Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow Cooker Cardiac-Friendly Vegetable Lentil Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Slow Cooker Cardiac-Friendly Vegetable Lentil Soup vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
