Slow Cooker Lentil Stew

This slow cooker lentil stew marries the heartiness of lentils with an array of colorful veggies, all spiced to perfection and cooked effortlessly in your slow cooker.

Whether you’re sticking to a vegetarian meal or interested in adding more substantial chunks of meat, this stew offers the flexibility to tailor your protein options as you like.

Here is Why This Lentil Stew Recipe Works

• Versatility in Ingredients: This recipe offers a perfect blend of whole foods like lentils, veggies, and aromatic spices. If you want to add a protein like chicken or sausage, that works as well.
• Convenience Meets Quality: The slow cooker does most of the heavy lifting. It’s an ideal option for those busy weekdays or relaxed weekends when you want a nutritious meal but don’t have the time to be tied to the stove.
• Balanced Flavor Profile: The combination of harissa, curry, ginger, and other spices in this lentil stew creates an aromatic complexity and flavor.

The Ingredients for Slow Cooker Veggie Loaded Lentil Stew

Here is a list of the ingredients you will need for this slow cooker recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details.

• Pantry: Olive oil, lentils, chicken broth, crushed tomatoes.
• Spices and seasonings: Harissa powder or paste, cardamom, ginger, curry powder, cinnamon, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, bay leaves.
• Produce: Onions, bell peppers, celery, garlic, cauliflower, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, lemon.

How to Select the Right Lentils for This Recipe

When it comes to lentils, not all are created equal—especially for slow cooking. Let’s break down which type of lentil is best suited for this slow cooker recipe:

• French Green Lentils: These are your top picks for this crockpot lentil stew. The French green lentil hold their shape beautifully even after hours in the slow cooker. They offer a slightly nutty, peppery flavor that pairs exceptionally well with the rich spice blend in this recipe.
• Brown Lentils: A reliable runner-up, brown lentils are easily accessible and still bring that hearty texture you’d want in a stew.
• Red Lentils: I’d recommend steering clear of this lentil variety for this particular recipe. While delicious in their own right, they are more delicate and can turn mushy during extended slow cooking, losing their texture and integrity in the stew.

How to Make This Crockpot Lentil Recipe

Here is a brief overview to get an idea of what to expect with this slow cooker lentil recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details.

If you don’t have time to saute the veggies and spices, you can skip that step and just toss everything in the slow cooker. However, if you can take a few minutes to saute them, it will release the flavors and aromas.

1. Sauté Veggies and Spices: Cook onions, red peppers, and celery in olive oil. Add garlic and spices; sauté until fragrant.
2. Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place the sautéed mixture in a slow cooker. Add the lentils, cauliflower, carrots, sweet potato, chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, and bay leaves. Stir.
3. Cook: Set the slow cooker to high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours until lentils are tender.
4. Final Touches: Remove bay leaves. Stir in spinach and adjust the seasoning. Add lemon juice just before serving.

Variations for Lentil Stew

• Swap the spices: In lieu of harissa and curry, use a blend of oregano, thyme, and a touch of smoked paprika.
• Change up the veggies: Use butternut squash instead of sweet potatoes. You can also replace the spinach with chopped kale for a heartier green.

How to Cook Lentil Vegetable Stew on the Stove

Saute the veggies and spices in a large pot. Add the rest of the ingredients (except for the spinach) and bring to a simmer. Cook covered for 60 minutes. Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted. 

Tips for Slow Cooker Success

• Spice Freshness: Make sure your spices are fresh for the fullest flavor. Spices can lose their potency over time, so if your pantry stash is old, it might be time for a refresh.
• Slow Cooker Size: Ensure your slow cooker is large enough to hold all the ingredients without overflowing. A 6 to 8-quart slow cooker is generally a good size for this recipe.
• Stirring Timing: While it’s tempting to lift the lid and stir, try to resist. Keeping the lid on ensures consistent cooking. Only stir when adding spinach near the end.
• Lemon Juice: Don’t skip the lemon juice at the end. the lemon adds a burst of brightness that lifts the flavors.
• Slow Cooker Liners: To make cleanup a breeze, you can try using a liner in your crockpot or give the inside a quick grease before adding your ingredients.

Serving Suggestions

While the slow cooker works on the lentil stew, here are some side dishes to consider. 

• Bread: A loaf of freshly baked sourdough bread would be perfect for sopping up the flavorsome broth.
• Rice or Quinoa: Serve the stew over a bed of coconut rice, sprouted brown rice, or quinoa
• Fresh Salad: A simple Caesar salad

Storage and Reheating

• In the fridge: Store in a sealed container, and it will last up to 3 days in the fridge.
• Freezing: Allow stew to cool completely before transferring into an airtight container and freezing for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water or broth as needed. If reheating in the microwave, be sure to cover with a lid and stir frequently. You can also heat the stew in the crockpot. 

More Soup and Stew Recipes

• Crock pot beef stew with onion soup
• Moroccan chicken stew
• Pumpkin and pork stew
• Instant Pot 15 bean soup
• Instant Pot lentil soup
• Slow Cooker Beef barley soup

Frequently Asked Questions

This lentil stew is a nutrient-dense powerhouse brimming with a rainbow of vegetables. The lentils lend a hearty source of fiber and protein, while the sweet potatoes, carrots, and cauliflower bring a wealth of vitamins and antioxidants to the table. This recipe makes a large portion so you can have leftovers for days or freeze some for later in the month.

Helpful Tools

Some of the following are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission if you click on these links and purchase something. You don’t pay any extra, but it will help us keep the lights on.

• Slow Cooker
• Crockpot liners

More Recipes You Will Love:

• One pot meals
• Crockpot beer cheese
• Spinach artichoke pasta bake
• Instant Pot red rice
• Bacon pasta
• Slow Cooker Turkey and Beer Chili with Beans
• 19 Favorite Family Crockpot Meals

Slow Cooker Lentil Stew

This hearty Lentil Stew is a comforting blend of lentils, fresh vegetables, and aromatic spices. Slow-cooked to perfection, it's an ideal meal for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.

Optional meat additions like chicken or sausage make it versatile for all eaters. See the notes if you want to add meat. Finish with a splash of lemon juice for a refreshing twist.

The soup will get thicker the next day and it will be even more flavorful.

4.66 from 20 votes

Print Pin Save Saved!

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 hours hours

Total Time: 5 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 14 servings

Calories: 153kcal

Author: Dahn Boquist

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 medium onions diced
• 2 red bell peppers chopped
• 2 celery stalks chopped
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons harissa paste or powder
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1-½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoons ground cardamom
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 2 cups lentils
• 2 cups chopped cauliflower
• 4 large carrots diced
• 1 large sweet potato peeled and diced
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 cups chopped fresh spinach
• juice of 1 to 2 lemons

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• If you have time, this step will develop the flavors in the spices. Otherwise, skip to step 2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, red peppers, and celery, and cook for about 5 minutes. Add garlic, harissa, curry, ginger, cardamom, salt, cinnamon, and cayenne, and cook for 2 more minutes until fragrant.
• Transfer the spice and onion mixture to a slow cooker. Toss in the lentils then add the cauliflower, carrots, sweet potato, broth, tomatoes, and bay leaves. Stir to combine. Cover and cook until the lentils are tender, about 4 to 5 hours on high or 8 to 9 hours on low.
• In the final 20 to 30 minutes of cook time, remove the bay leaves and stir in the spinach and chicken sausage (if using). Season with salt and pepper if needed. Just before serving stir in the lemon juice.

Notes

Not all brands of harissa are the same. Some brands of harissa powder or paste are much spicier than others. If you are not sure how much of a kick your spice blend has, start with half the amount listed and add more if desired.

Adding meat: You can add 1 pound of cubed raw chicken, beef, or lamb along with all the veggies in step 2. If you use precooked meat like chicken sausage or Andouille sausage, add precooked meat during the last 30 minutes so it doesn't get dry and tough.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 153kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 633mg | Fiber: 10g

Click here to follow us on Pinterest!

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest