The BEST Easy Slow Cooker Ham and Lentil Soup
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This ham and lentil soup is a delicious and hearty recipe that's perfect for any time of the year. It's packed with ingredients like smoked gammon, red lentils, and fresh vegetables. Whether you're looking for a comforting dinner or a make-ahead meal, this soup is sure to become a family favourite.
You'll also love my chicken and mushroom soup, veggie tortellini soup, or this Turkish lentil soup. *This slow cooker gammon makes a perfect Christmas and holiday dinner.
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⭐️ Why this recipe works
- Rich Flavor: The smoked gammon joint imparts a deep, savory flavor to the soup, making each bite deliciously satisfying.
- Nutritious: Packed with lentils, vegetables, and leafy greens, this soup is a nutrient-dense meal that's high in protein and fiber.
- Easy Preparation: The recipe is straightforward and uses simple cooking techniques, making it accessible even for beginners.
- Versatile: The soup can be made in a slow cooker, providing flexibility for busy schedules or hands-off cooking.
- Comforting: Perfect for cold weather, this hearty soup provides warmth and comfort, making it an ideal winter meal.
🧾 Ingredients overview
- Olive Oil: Adds a healthy fat and helps sauté the vegetables, enhancing their flavors.
- Smoked Gammon Joint: The main protein source, providing a smoky and savory taste.
- Red Lentils: Offer a creamy texture and are a great source of plant-based protein.
- Yellow Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the soup's flavor.
- Garlic: Infuses the soup with a rich, aromatic taste.
- Celery: Adds crunch and a mild, earthy flavor.
- Leek: Provides a subtle onion-like flavor, adding complexity.
- Carrots: Contribute sweetness and a pleasant texture.
- Bay Leaves: Enhance the soup with a subtle herbal note.
- Cavolo Nero/Kale: Adds nutrients and a slight bitterness, balancing the flavors.
- Vegetable or Chicken Stock: Forms the base of the soup, providing a savory liquid medium.
For precise measurements and additional ingredients, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
👩🏻🍳 Here's how to make it
Slow Cooker Ham and Lentil Soup recipe step-by-step
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until soft and translucent. Add the sliced leek and celery, cooking until softened.
- Slow Cooker: Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker. Add the red lentils, bay leaves, and chopped carrots.
- Add Gammon and Stock: Place the smoked gammon joint on top of the lentils and vegetables. Pour the stock over the ingredients, ensuring the gammon is just covered.
- Cook: Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours, until the ham is thoroughly cooked.
- Prepare Ham: Remove the gammon joint from the soup and let it rest on a cutting board for a few minutes. Shred the ham using two forks, leaving some larger chunks.
- Blend Soup: Use a stick blender to gently blend a portion of the soup to thicken it, maintaining some texture.
- Add Greens: Stir in the cavolo nero or kale and allow it to wilt in the hot soup for about 5-8 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Return the shredded ham to the soup, stir well, and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve hot with bread and butter.
📖 Variations
- Ham Substitute: Use smoked turkey or chicken for a different flavor.
- Lentil Substitute: Green or brown lentils can be used instead of red lentils.
- Vegetable Variations: Add potatoes, parsnips, or bell peppers for additional variety.
- Stock Options: Use beef or ham stock for a richer taste.
- Herb Variations: Substitute bay leaves with thyme or rosemary for different herbal notes.
- Spice It Up: Add chili flakes or smoked paprika for a spicier kick.
💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips
Drawing on a decade of experience in Michelin-starred kitchens and Cordon Bleu training, I have compiled my top tips for recipe success.
- Deglazing: After sautéing vegetables, deglaze the skillet with a splash of white wine or vinegar for added depth.
- Soak Lentils: Soaking lentils for 1 hour before cooking can reduce cooking time and improve digestibility.
- Enhance Umami: Add a teaspoon of soy sauce or fish sauce for an extra umami boost.
- Aromatics: Toss in a Parmesan rind or ham bone while cooking for enhanced flavor.
- Texture Control: Blend more of the soup if you prefer a creamier consistency, or leave it chunkier if you like more texture.
🍯 Storing and reheating leftovers
- Fridge: Store the cooled soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, place the soup in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: To reheat, warm the soup in a pot over medium heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Add a little water or stock if it has thickened too much.
❓Recipe FAQ's
You can cook the soup on the stovetop. Bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 2-3 hours, until the lentils and meat are tender.
Yes, you can let it simmer uncovered for a while longer to reduce the liquid, or add a small amount of instant mashed potato flakes to thicken.
Use low-sodium stock and rinse the gammon before cooking. You can also soak the ham in water overnight to draw out some of the salt.
Yes, it’s an excellent option for meal prep. You can portion it out and store it in the fridge or freezer for easy, ready-to-heat meals.
Looking for other hearty soup recipes like this? Try these:
If you tried this Slow Cooker Ham and Lentil Soup please let me know in the comments below, and please leave a star rating while you're there!
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Easy Rich and Hearty Slow Cooker Ham and Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 kg (2 lb) smoked gammon joint
- 175 g (1 cup) red lentils
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 sticks celery, sliced
- 1 leek, washed and finely sliced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 100 g (4 ½ cups) cavolo nero or kale, see notes
- 1.8 (7 cups) litres vegetable or chicken stock, see notes
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until soft and translucent. Add the sliced leek and celery, cooking until softened.
- Slow Cooker: Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker. Add the red lentils, bay leaves, and chopped carrots.
- Add Gammon and Stock: Place the smoked gammon joint on top of the lentils and vegetables. Pour the stock over the ingredients, ensuring the gammon is just covered.
- Cook: Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours, until the ham is thoroughly cooked.
- Prepare Ham: Remove the gammon joint from the soup and let it rest on a cutting board for a few minutes. Shred the ham using two forks, leaving some larger chunks.
- Blend Soup: Use a stick blender to gently blend a portion of the soup to thicken it, maintaining some texture.
- Add Greens: Stir in the cavolo nero or kale and allow it to wilt in the hot soup for about 5-8 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Return the shredded ham to the soup, stir well, and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve hot with bread and butter.
Notes
- Seasoning: Be cautious with additional seasoning, as the smoked gammon adds considerable flavour.
- Stock: Use the specified amount of stock, but feel free to add more water if necessary to achieve the desired consistency.
- Cavolo Nero/Kale: Cavolo nero is typically available from November to February. If unavailable, substitute with kale. The 100 g measurement is approximate; adjust based on preference.
Nutrition
Meet the Chef!
Hi, I'm Debs, a Cordon Bleu-trained chef dedicated to helping you create unforgettable meals on a budget. Discover more about my journey and dive into a world of foolproof recipes designed for those who love to eat well without overspending.
I’m trying this today . Can I use spinach instead of kale ?
Absolutely! That will work really well.
I love this soup so much. Take it to work for lunch and everyone gets jealous!
It's a great one, isn't it?! So happy you're the envy of the office! 🙂
What are calories per serving, fantastic recipe and very tasty but currently trying to loose weight and wondered if this soup would be a good addition to my meal plan. many thanks
Hi Nicola, all the nutrition info is at the bottom of the recipe card. It's 431 calories per serving (the recipe makes 10 servings) and 33g of protein. So even though it's higher in calories the protein will help to keep you full for longer. Hope that helps. 🙂
This sounds absolutely delicious! I've added all needed ingredients to my shopping list for today, and will make this tomorrow. One note, however, you left out the cavolo nero from the ingredients, so I'm just going to rip up a bunch of kale and throw it in there.
Sorry about that! I've updated the amount now. It would be nice if cavalo nero was available all year, but trusty kale works great too! Enjoy the soup. And thanks so much for catching that omission and letting me know. It's very appreciated! 🙂
OMG! I loved this recipe. I just used leftover ham from Sunday lunch and this was spectacular. Thanks for another great recipe!
Such a great idea to use leftover ham! Thanks so much for leaving a rating and a comment!