This Crockpot Mediterranean Lentil Soup is a comforting and wholesome slow-cooker meal featuring tender lentils, vegetables, and bold Mediterranean spices. It’s perfect for hands‑off cooking and delivers a flavorful bowl that satisfies every time.
Table of Contents
Why This Lentil Soup Stands Out
I adore this recipe because it fills the house with incredible aroma while requiring minimal active time. You simply set the lentils, chopped veggies, spices, broth, and tomatoes into your crockpot, let it cook low and slow, and return to a rich, hearty soup. It brings in Mediterranean flavors like cumin, coriander, garlic, and a splash of lemon — vibrant yet comforting.
This soup pairs wonderfully with richer mains like my Slow Cooker Tuscan Garlic Chicken or the savory flavors in the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Potatoes, balancing bold dishes with plant-powered simplicity.
Ingredients & Prep Tips
What You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Dry green or brown lentils | 2 cups, rinsed |
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp |
| Yellow onion, diced | 1 medium |
| Carrots, chopped | 2 cups |
| Celery stalks, chopped | 2 cups |
| Garlic cloves, minced | 4 |
| Fire-roasted diced tomatoes (canned) | 15 oz |
| Crushed tomatoes (canned) | 15 oz |
| Vegetable broth | 4–5 cups |
| Cumin | 1½ tsp |
| Coriander | 1 tsp |
| Red wine vinegar | 1 tbsp |
| Fresh spinach or chopped kale | 2 cups, optional |
| Lemon juice (optional) | 1 tbsp |
| Salt & pepper | to taste |
Prep Suggestions
Be sure to rinse lentils and pick over them for any debris. Chop your veggies evenly to ensure uniform cooking. Measuring spices ahead can streamline adding them in one go. If you prefer added texture, spinach or kale stirred in near the end adds freshness and greens.
This crockpot stew is ideal when served with bread—consider pairing with the rich sauces from my One-Pan French Onion Chicken & Rice, offering a complementary bowl-and-bread kind of dinner.
Cooking Steps
1. Sauté Aromatics & Spice Mix
On the stovetop, warm olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, carrot, and celery until softened, about 5–7 minutes. Stir in garlic, cumin, and coriander, cooking for an additional minute. This step brings out depth before going into the slow cooker.
2. Combine in Crockpot
Transfer the sautéed vegetables and spices to your crockpot. Add lentils, fire-roasted tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and broth. Stir well to combine, cover, and set to low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours until the lentils are tender.
3. Finish with Bright Acid & Greens
When lentils are soft, stir in red wine vinegar, lemon juice (if using), and kale or spinach. Cook on high for 20–30 minutes more to wilt greens. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. The vinegar adds a bright finish and lifts the flavor beautifully.
Print
Crockpot Mediterranean Lentil Soup
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Crockpot Mediterranean Lentil Soup is a wholesome slow-cooker recipe filled with lentils, vegetables, tomatoes, and bold Mediterranean spices for cozy, easy dinners.
Ingredients
2 cups dry green or brown lentils, rinsed
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cups chopped carrots
2 cups chopped celery
4 garlic cloves, minced
15 oz fire-roasted diced tomatoes
15 oz crushed tomatoes
4–5 cups vegetable broth
1½ tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 cups spinach or kale, optional
1 tbsp lemon juice, optional
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. In a skillet, warm olive oil and sauté onion, carrot, and celery for 5–7 minutes.
2. Add garlic, cumin, and coriander; cook 1 more minute.
3. Transfer to crockpot with lentils, diced and crushed tomatoes, and broth.
4. Stir and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours until lentils are tender.
5. Stir in red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and optional greens.
6. Cook on high for another 20–30 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot.
Notes
For thicker texture, blend part of the soup before serving.
This soup freezes well. Add fresh lemon juice before reheating for best flavor.
Optional: Serve with pita bread or rice for a full meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 530mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 13g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Crockpot Lentil Soup, Mediterranean Lentil Soup, Slow Cooker Vegetarian Soup, Healthy Dinner
FAQs
Can I make this gluten-free or vegan?
Yes—this recipe is naturally vegan if you use vegetable broth and skip any meat additions. It’s also gluten-free as lentils, vegetables, and spices contain no gluten.
Can I adapt it for stovetop or Instant Pot?
Definitely. Follow the same sauté step on stovetop, then simmer with lentils and tomatoes for 35–45 minutes until lentils are tender. Alternatively, use an Instant Pot on high pressure for about 15 minutes, then allow 10-minute natural release.
How long will leftovers keep?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This soup freezes well too—thaw overnight and reheat gently on low, adding water or broth if needed to reach desired consistency.
Conclusion
This Crockpot Mediterranean Lentil Soup is simple, healthy, and full of vibrant flavors that develop beautifully over slow cooking. It’s perfect for busy days or weekend prep and adapts well to seasonal tweaks. Whether plated with crusty bread or served solo, it’s a comforting bowl that you’ll return to again and again. Enjoy and share how it nourished you!