Hearty Lentil and Smoked Sausage Soup
In short: Green lentils, smoked sausage, carrots and tomato simmered into a thick, smoky one-pot soup that keeps well and feeds a crowd. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 340 kcal
Lentils and smoked sausage are a pairing that turns up in kitchens from central Europe to North America, and it is easy to see why. The sausage flavors the whole pot, the lentils soak up the smoky broth and turn the soup thick, and a splash of vinegar at the end cuts through the richness. There is no soaking and little chopping involved. It tastes even better the next day, so make a big batch.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the sausage for 4 to 5 minutes until the edges are golden, then lift it out onto a plate, leaving the fat in the pot.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the onion, carrots and celery. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring, until soft. Add the garlic, tomato paste, smoked paprika and thyme and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the lentils, stock, tomatoes and bay leaves and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer partly covered for 30 minutes, until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape.
- Return the sausage to the pot and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaves and mash a few spoonfuls of lentils against the side of the pot to thicken the soup.
- Stir in the salt, pepper and vinegar, taste, and adjust. Serve hot, scattered with parsley.
Tips
- Brown lentils soften in about 25 minutes, while green ones need 30 to 35 and hold their shape better. Start testing a few minutes early.
- Stir in a few handfuls of chopped kale or spinach for the last 5 minutes, or use a smoked ham hock instead of the sausage.
Questions and answers
Do I need to soak lentils for this soup?
No. Brown and green lentils cook in 25 to 35 minutes without soaking. Rinse them and pick out any small stones before using.
Can I make lentil and sausage soup in a slow cooker?
Yes. Brown the sausage and soften the vegetables first, then cook everything on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. Stir in the vinegar at the end.
How long does lentil sausage soup keep?
It keeps for 5 days in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer. It thickens as it sits, so add a splash of stock or water when you reheat it.
How long does it take to make Hearty Lentil and Smoked Sausage Soup?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Hearty Lentil and Smoked Sausage Soup?
About 340 kcal per serving, with 17 g of protein, 36 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 340 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17 g |
| Carbohydrates | 36 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 1150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
