Description
This hearty Ham and Lentil Soup recipe combines smoky bacon, savory ham, and tender lentils slow-cooked to perfection. It’s a comforting and filling meal, packed with vegetables and flavorful herbs, ideal for chilly days and easy batch cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Proteins
- 6 strips bacon, cut into small pieces
- 2 cups diced ham (or more, to taste)
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, chopped finely
- 2 sticks celery, chopped finely
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped finely
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Other Ingredients
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1.5 cups dry green or brown lentils
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: Fry the bacon pieces in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy, about 10 minutes. Once crispy, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, but leave 1 to 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet for sautéing the vegetables.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots to the skillet with bacon fat. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and lightly browned, enhancing their natural flavors.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic into the sautéed vegetables and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then transfer this vegetable mixture into your slow cooker.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Add the crispy bacon, diced ham, chicken broth, tomato sauce, dry lentils, Italian seasoning, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes to the slow cooker with the vegetables. Mix gently to combine.
- Slow Cook the Soup: Cook on high heat for 3 to 4 hours or on low heat for 6 to 8 hours. The lentils should become tender, and the flavors will meld together beautifully during this time.
- Season and Serve: Once cooked, season the soup with salt and pepper according to your taste. Stir well and serve warm as a hearty meal perfect for colder days.
Notes
- 6 cups chicken broth equals one and a half 32 oz. cartons.
- You can enhance flavor by using a leftover ham bone in place of some ham.
- For stovetop cooking: After sautéing, transfer ingredients to a large soup pot or Dutch oven and simmer for about 1 hour or until lentils are cooked, adding extra liquid if necessary.
