Description
Hearty Detox Crockpot Lentil Soup brings nourishing Mediterranean flavors to comfort wellness seekers with minimal preparation. Rich lentils and wholesome vegetables simmer slowly, delivering a healing meal packed with clean, satisfying goodness you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
- 6 cups vegetable broth (or water + bouillon)
- 1 medium sweet potato or Yukon gold potato, diced
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chopped kale or spinach (added at the end)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.75 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for brightness)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the lentil soup base by combining dried lentils, finely chopped onions, diced carrots, thinly sliced celery, minced garlic, and cubed sweet potato in the crockpot.
- Add diced tomatoes and carefully measure out the selected spices to enhance the soup’s flavor profile.
- Gently pour vegetable broth over the ingredients, ensuring all components are thoroughly mixed and evenly distributed throughout the slow cooker.
- Secure the crockpot lid and set the cooking temperature to low, allowing the soup to simmer and develop rich, complex flavors for approximately 6-7 hours.
- If using a high-temperature setting, reduce the cooking time to 4-5 hours, monitoring the tenderness of lentils and vegetables.
- During the final 15-20 minutes of cooking, introduce fresh leafy greens like kale or spinach into the soup, stirring gently to incorporate.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the soup, which will brighten the overall taste and add a subtle citrusy note.
- Allow the greens to wilt and become tender, absorbing the surrounding flavors of the soup.
- Perform a final taste test, adjusting seasonings as needed to balance the soup’s flavor profile.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to add a vibrant, herbal finishing touch before serving the warm, nutritious soup.
Notes
- Choose green or brown lentils for the best texture and fastest cooking time in this detox soup.
- Rinse lentils thoroughly to remove any debris and reduce potential digestive discomfort.
- Slice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent tenderness throughout the soup.
- Adjust cooking time based on your specific crockpot model, as slow cookers can vary in heat intensity.
- Replace vegetable broth with water for a lower sodium version without compromising flavor.
- Add extra leafy greens like Swiss chard or collards for increased nutritional variety and depth.
- Enhance protein content by stirring in cooked quinoa or shredded chicken during the final cooking stage.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 5 days, as the soup’s flavors will continue to develop and improve.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-8 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg