Recipe Index » Lebanese Recipes » Slow Cooker Lebanese Lentil Soup

Slow Cooker Lebanese Lentil Soup

Liz DellaCroce Avatar

LIZ DELLA CROCE

Updated:


A one-pot meal that can feed a crowd, this authentic vegetarian Lebanese soup recipe made with red lentils and vegetables is seasoned with cumin and turmeric. 

Jump

prep time10 minutes

Slow Cooker Lebanese Lentil Soup - authentic Arabic recipe

My husband orders lentil soup whenever we go out for Lebanese food. While I grew up eating a slightly different version of Lebanese lentil soup (made with spinach and brown lentils), I’ve been on a mission to recreate the restaurant version my husband adores. Similar to this Arabic lentil soup, my slow cooker version is made with red lentils.

Lebanese Lentil Soup Ingredients for Slow Cooker

The secret? A combination of creamy potatoes and red lentils. When cooked and pureed, they turn into a silky soup with the perfect texture.

Slow Cooker Lebanese Lentil Soup Recipe -a healthy gluten free dish

For added smokiness and flavor, I like to add smoked paprika along with cumin and turmeric.

Slow Cooker Lebanese Lentil Soup in a bowl

Right before serving I like to top with a dollop of plain yogurt. Not only does the tanginess balance out the slight heat and spice from the soup but it cools down the dish so you don’t burn your tongue. I find this to be especially useful when you’re 3 years old and don’t have much patience at dinner time.

Your spoon is waiting.

Have you tried my


Slow Cooker Lebanese Lentil Soup?

Leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how you liked it in the 📝 comments and share it on Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest.

We love hearing from you! This helps us continue to provide free, high-quality recipes.

Slow Cooker Lebanese Lentil Soup in a bowl

Slow Cooker Lebanese Lentil Soup

Liz Della Croce
4.39 stars average
This authentic vegetarian Lebanese soup recipe is made with red lentils and vegetables is seasoned with cumin and turmeric. 
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
CourseSoup
Serves4

Ingredients
 
 

  • 6 Dynamic Duo potatoes, halved or other Little Potato Company variety
  • 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill Red Lentils
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 medium carrots diced
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
  • plain yogurt to serve

Instructions
 

  1. Place all of the ingredients (minus the yogurt) in a slow cooker insert. Heat on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours. 
  2. Before serving, puree soup in blender or using an immersion blender until smooth and creamy. Check for seasoning and adjust accordingly before serving. 

Liz’s Notes

This soup is great for freezing and leftovers are perfect for lunch the next day!

Nutrition

Serving: 2cups | Calories: 218kcal | Carbohydrates: 40.7g | Protein: 12.1g | Fat: 1.8g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.7g | Sodium: 1758mg | Fiber: 12.1g | Sugar: 4.4g

Have you tried my


Slow Cooker Lebanese Lentil Soup?

Leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how you liked it in the 📝 comments and share it on Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest.

We love hearing from you! This helps us continue to provide free, high-quality recipes.


4.39 from 78 votes (67 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *






This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


64 responses to “Slow Cooker Lebanese Lentil Soup”

  1. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    I love this recipe. I always use just six cups of water or broth to make it a bit thicker. That’s my only tweak. Thanks for such a simple and yummy crock pot meal.

  2. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    I love this recipe and have made it multiple times. Simple but delicious. I have had a lot of lentil soups but this one has an extra zing and I like that it is more brothy rather than thick and stew like. Great paired with crunchy bread and a fresh salad.

  3. Jaclyn Avatar
    Jaclyn

    Wow, I was definitely disappointed. I’m sorry to the author but the only Lebanese lentil soup I’ve ever had was from a restaurant. I wanted to copy it and thought this recipe was most appealing. After all steps taken it felt like something was missing. It had two sides of the taste bud but missed the connecting spice. I wanted to love this soup. After researching many other recipes I chose to add dried mint. It definitely made it more acceptable. I enjoyed it enough to eat my giant pot of soup, but: to me this soup is still lacking. Try it with mint. Let me know. I’m dying for more creative options!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I love adding mint! Great idea!

    2. Atef Hamdy Avatar
      Atef Hamdy

      It is strange that such a simple receipe would take such a long time to get ready! My yellow lentils soups are ready within 15 to 20 minutes! Why does yours needs such a long cooking time?

      1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
        Liz DellaCroce

        I will be sharing a non-slow cooker one soon! That said you don’t have to leave it on the whole time. :)

    3. Pamela Woodroffe Avatar
      Pamela Woodroffe

      I wonder if it wants some cinnamon as well as the mint?

  4. Cheryl Avatar
    Cheryl

    My sister made this in her Instapot, and then used an immersion blender to make it nice and creamy. It was delicious! I can’t wait to make it myself!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      SO glad you enjoyed it!

  5. Melissa Avatar
    Melissa

    Always love making this recipe in the crockpot!! Recently I purchased an Instapot. Do you have any recommendations for cook time in the Instapot?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I’m so glad you love this recipe!! Red lentils are quick cooking so I don’t see a reason to use insta pot.

  6. Brittany Avatar
    Brittany

    Can I use green lentils in this? Or will that mess it up?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes!

  7. Dylan M Avatar
    Dylan M

    I really really love lentil soup, but every time I’ve made it I’ve not been able to get it as silky as my favorite restaurant. Then I found this recipe and you speak right to the silkiness coming from other vegetables! Genius! Thank you so much, looking forward to making this and will report back after I do.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh great I’m so glad you enjoy it!!

  8. Jennifer Battcock Avatar
    Jennifer Battcock

    Made this soup last week!!! doubled the recipe because my husband loves soup! It was delicious and soooooo easy!! Love throwing everything in and walking away.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Ahhh that makes me so happy!!! Let me know if you try anything else!

  9. Patti Avatar
    Patti

    Hi Liz, the soup is already thickening and is absolutely yummy. Re the stars. I tried to make it 5 stars before and the computer got ahead of me and wouldn’t let me do it.

  10. Patti Avatar
    Patti

    I just took this soup out after being in my slow cooker on high for four hours. I pureed it with my immersible blender, but it is very thin, not at all creamy. I used the tiny potatoes…halved six of them. Help! I want to try again. Patti

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Hi Patti – There is no need to put in your immersion blender. Any reason you did that?

      1. Patti Avatar
        Patti

        The recipe called for pureeing the soup with a blender when it was done.

        1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
          Liz DellaCroce

          Oops I was thinking of another recipe!! Ok so you’re not liking how thing it is? Did you make any other changes to the recipe?

          1. Patti Avatar
            Patti

            HI Liz, I realized my mistake last night. I put 2 boxes of veggie broth in the soup, which added 2 extra cups. I have it all in the fridge and will put it all in a. Pan today and hope most of the extra liquid will evaporate. Glad I figured this out and know this soup Will be a regular from now on. Thank you! Patti

          2. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
            Liz DellaCroce

            Ahhh ok that makes sense!! So glad you figured it out -we love this recipe and make it all the time so I was a bit baffled!! Another way to fix it would be to add more lentils. :) Can you please revise the stars from three to five since it turns out you didn’t follow the recipe correctly? Thank and enjoy!!

          3. Patti Avatar
            Patti

            Love this soup!!????

          4. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
            Liz DellaCroce

            So glad you like it!

  11. Brianne Avatar
    Brianne

    I am excited to make this, but I couldn’t find red lentils at my grocery store. Can I use the brown lentils in my pantry or is the taste different enough that it’s worth looking elsewhere for red lentils? Btw, I love so many of your recipes!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      If you have brown lentils I would make this soup instead: https://vitalbody1.news/lemony-lentil-soup-with-spinach/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

  12. elaine Avatar
    elaine

    I would really like to try this but is the sodium count correct??? That sure seems like an awful high count.
    Thanks.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      This makes a very large 2 cup serving so the count is accurate. A few easy ways to reduce the sodium: buy chicken stock without any sodium, don’t add the salt, cut the serving in half to one cup. Hope that helps!

  13. Priscilla Avatar
    Priscilla

    So good!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Happy you enjoyed it!

  14. Kim Beaulieu Avatar
    Kim Beaulieu

    Liz, this is just gorgeous. I love a good soup recipe. This one is perfection. I’m with you on adding yogurt to help cool it down. Plus it tastes amazing mixed in. That photo of you in the pink top holding the bowl is stellar. Such a great shot.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Aww thank you Kim!!

  15. Linda Lavigne Avatar
    Linda Lavigne

    Hi Liz, I’m just starting to experiment with lentils. For this recipe do you have to soak the lentils first? Or just wash them and add them to the crockpot?
    Thank you!
    Linda

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      No you never need to soak lentils – they are pretty quick cooking!! Enjoy!

  16. Gina @Running to the Kitchen Avatar
    Gina @Running to the Kitchen

    This looks so incredibly flavorful!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Thank you Gina!

  17. dixya @food, pleasure, and health Avatar
    dixya @food, pleasure, and health

    these look perfect for a weekend!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I hope you love it!!

  18. Megan @ MegUnprocessed Avatar
    Megan @ MegUnprocessed

    Looks vibrant and appetizing!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Thank you so much Megan!

  19. Alison's Allspice Avatar
    Alison’s Allspice

    I love silky soups like this one, and I’m always looking for more recipes using turmeric! Definitely a keeper, Thanks!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes I’ve been adding turmeric to everything !! Enjoy!

  20. Kim Kidd Avatar
    Kim Kidd

    Can you just use six red potatoes ? Skin? No skin ? And do they have to be cut up ? Or just put whole ? And then blended later ?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Just adjusted the recipe to include those details but these are small no-peel potatoes. :) You halve them. Enjoy!

      1. Kim Kidd Avatar
        Kim Kidd

        Can I use regular red potatoes? Maybe cut up? I am just trying to use what I have on hand but worried after 8 hours slow cooking that the RED potatoes wont blend nicely. I don’t want to waste food or 8 hours:) Please let me know your thoughts on red potatoes for this recipe. I am excited to make it!

        I love ALL your soups with lemon!!

        1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
          Liz DellaCroce

          I think they would work perfectly!!

          1. Kim Kidd Avatar
            Kim Kidd

            Red potatoes worked fine (ish) I would definitely peel them! The peels didn’t blend well. I used a hand held blender thing. So, red potatoes ok. It turned out great! I froze at least six jars!! Thank you!

          2. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
            Liz DellaCroce

            So happy!!!

          3. Mary Chambers Avatar
            Mary Chambers

            I’m confused. A previous review said that hers was too thin because she used 2 boxes of broth. But,2 boxes=64 oz= 8 cups. I just made this using 2 boxes. Now I’m afraid it won’t turn out.

          4. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
            Liz DellaCroce

            Depending on the brand or size of box the amounts could differ. How did yours turn out?

  21. Bette Avatar
    Bette

    I don’t see any potatoes in the recipe! I still can’t wait to make it though, LOL!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      All fixed – sorry about that. :)

  22. mary Avatar
    mary

    there are no potatoes listed in the actual recipe for the Lebanese red lentil soup-??
    Any recommendations for cooking on the stove?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      All fixed – sorry about that. :) For a stove top recipe try this one: https://vitalbody1.news/lemony-lentil-soup-with-spinach/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

  23. Sandy Avatar
    Sandy

    You said the secret is the creamy potatoes but they are not in the recipe list??

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      All fixed – sorry about that Sandy!

  24. sassygirl Avatar
    sassygirl

    no potatoes in this version??
    you mentioned them above but not found in this
    recipe!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      All fixed- sorry about that!

  25. Michele schnitzer Avatar
    Michele schnitzer

    In you instructions for this lentil soup, I think your reversed your times for the slow cooker: 4 hours at Low or 8 hrs at High. Probably should be the other way around?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      All fixed – sorry about that Michele!

  26. Melissa Avatar
    Melissa

    I see potatoes and maybe cilantro, but they are not on the ngredients list.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Just fixed – sorry bout that Melissa!