This traditional ham and lentil soup is thick and stuffed with smoky taste and greens. Use diced cooked ham or a ham bone. Make it within the gradual cooker, on the stovetop, or within the Instantaneous Pot.
Meal-Prep Pleasant Ham and Lentil Soup (Set It & Overlook It)
When it’s formally soup season and the air feels just a little colder beginning in October, all of us crave bowls which might be heat, thick, and genuinely satisfying—the sort you’ll be able to eat with a spoon in a single hand and a slice of bread within the different. This gradual cooker ham and lentil soup is strictly that: additional hearty with out being heavy, deeply flavorful from tomatoes, different veggies, and smoky spices, and so cozy it virtually invitations you to placed on fuzzy socks. It is budget-friendly, and excellent for straightforward weeknight dinners. It tastes prefer it simmered on the range all day… as a result of, properly, it type of did—your gradual cooker did the work whilst you lived your life. My different weeknight soup favorites are Creamy Rooster Enchilada Soup, cozy Sausage White Bean Soup, and White Lasagna Soup. All of those soups might be made forward and are nice for entertaining through the colder months of the 12 months.
What sort of ham works greatest on this soup?
- I used diced cooked ham (the thicker, dinner-style ham steaks or leftover vacation ham), minimize into ½-inch cubes. It provides me meaty, tidy bites that maintain their form after hours within the gradual cooker, and it seasons the entire pot with out turning it overly salty. I select low-sodium ham every time I can so I can management the ultimate seasoning on the finish.
- Ham bone or a ham shank are additionally good choices. The bone releases collagen whereas it simmers, which makes the soup naturally velvety with out cream. After cooking, pull the bone out, shred no matter meat clings to it, and stir that beautiful meat again in.
- Smoked ham hock is phenomenal for taste however normally doesn’t provide you with tons of meat—so I’d pair it with a cup or two of diced ham for the perfect of each worlds.
- Have leftover spiral-sliced ham from a vacation? Use it! Cube it up and in it goes. Spiral ham generally is a bit drier, however in a gradual cooker soup, the broth rehydrates it fantastically.
What Kind of Lentils Work Finest?
- I want inexperienced or brown lentils as a result of they maintain their form and provides the perfect texture for a soup or stew. I don’t pre-soak the lentils (no want with inexperienced or brown), and I examined this at each LOW and HIGH settings.
- Purple lentils cook dinner down shortly and can make it mushier. I’d keep on with inexperienced or brown lentils as a substitute.
- Can I exploit cut up peas as a substitute of lentils? Sure, however cooking time might differ barely. Cut up peas will break down extra and provides a creamier texture.
What to Serve with It
As a result of this ham and lentil soup is all about consolation meals, I like pairing it with easy sides. Strive it with a heat slice of my bread machine garlic bread, a basket of garlic butter dinner rolls for dunking, or with my savory cheddar bacon scones. Add one thing contemporary on the facet like my candy potato kale salad or Fall-inspired apple spinach salad. And, Should you’re trying so as to add extra cozy soups to your dinner rotation, bookmark a couple of extra reader favorites whilst you’re right here—my Butternut Squash Sausage Orzo Soup, straightforward Sausage Potato Soup, and Hungarian Mushroom Soup.
Extra Consolation Meals Recipes To Strive
Ham and Lentil Soup
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Components
- 6 cups low-sodium rooster broth
- 2 ½ cups diced cooked ham or 1 ham bone with additional meat connected
- 2 ½ cups dried lentils rinsed (inexperienced or brown advisable)
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 carrots peeled and diced
- 3 stalks celery diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 15 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon floor cumin non-obligatory, for heat
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to style added on the finish
- Recent parsley for garnish
Directions
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Add lentils, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, ham, tomato sauce, broth, thyme, smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, bay leaves, pepper, and olive oil to a 6-quart gradual cooker. Stir all the things collectively.
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Cowl and cook dinner on low for six–8 hours or on excessive for 4–5 hours, till lentils are tender and the stew has thickened.
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If utilizing a ham bone, take away it when the stew is completed, shred off any meat, and return it to the pot. Discard the bone and bay leaves.
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Stir properly and alter with salt if wanted. If it’s too thick to your liking, stir in ½ to 1 cup additional broth.
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Serve scorching with crusty bread, cornbread, or over rice for a full meal. Garnish with chopped contemporary parsley if desired.
Notes
- How can I make this additional smoky? Add a splash of liquid smoke or use smoked ham hock as a substitute of diced ham.
- Can I make this vegetarian? Sure—omit the ham, use vegetable broth, and add additional veggies like mushrooms or candy potatoes. Smoked paprika helps exchange the ham’s depth of taste.
- What if I need even thicker stew? Go away the lid off for the final half-hour of cooking to permit additional liquid to evaporate, or mash a few of the lentils with a spoon earlier than serving.
- How can I repair a stew that’s too thick? Stir in scorching broth or water ¼ cup at a time. For additional silkiness, a knob of butter or a splash of cream additionally helps.
- When ought to I add salt? On the finish. Between ham and broth, salt ranges differ. I style when lentils are tender, then season so I don’t oversalt.
Suggestions for Success
- The tomato sauce is vital—it thickens and offers depth of taste.
- For a creamier texture, mix a few ladles of the stew and stir again in.
- Including cumin deepens the flavour and pairs properly with the smokiness of the ham.
- All the time wait till the tip to salt—it is dependent upon how salty your ham is.
- A splash of vinegar or lemon juice on the finish brightens the dish.
Storage
- This stew thickens much more because it cools. Retailer within the fridge for as much as 4 days or freeze in parts for as much as 3 months.
- Reheat with a splash of broth or water if wanted.
Various Cooking Strategies
- Stovetop Methodology: Warmth a big pot with just a little olive oil and sauté the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic for a couple of minutes till softened. Add lentils, ham (or ham bone), tomato sauce, broth, and seasonings. Carry to a boil, then simmer gently, coated, for about 45 minutes or till the lentils are tender. Take away the ham bone if used, shred the meat, return it to the pot, and season to style.
- Instantaneous Pot Methodology: Add all components to the Instantaneous Pot, stir, and set to Strain Prepare dinner (Excessive) for 12–quarter-hour. Let stress launch naturally for 10 minutes, then quick-release. Use 5–5½ cups broth. Take away the ham bone (if utilizing), shred the meat, and stir the meat again in. Modify salt and broth as wanted, then serve scorching.
Diet
