Sausage Lentil Soup

Content… How to Choose Lentils Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage Instructions FAQs What to Serve More Soul-Satisfying Soup and Stew Recipes to Try Conclusion Watch How to Make It

How to Choose Lentils for Sausage Lentil Soup

There are many kinds of lentils, but the most common are red, green, and brown. Green lentils enjoy a peppery flavor but take the longest to cook (up to 45 minutes). Red lentils are nuttier and almost sweet taste, usually taking 15-20 minutes to cook. Their mushier texture makes them an excellent choice for curries.

Brown lentils are the happy medium and the best option for this soup. Their earthy flavor and moderate cook time make a firm yet deliciously tender dish. But, hey, you use your favorite.

Recipe Ingredients

1. Lentils – Dry brown lentils are the star of this soupy show. But red or yellow also work; just remember to adjust the cooking time.
2. Sausage – Your favorite variety of smoked sausage will add a delicious smokey flavor to this hearty soup.
3. Veggies – Carrots, celery, onion, garlic, tomatoes, and spinach add flavor but don’t draw too much attention to themselves, meaning you can sneak a good serving of veggies into your kids’ diet without them noticing. 🤫
4. Seasonings – Fresh thyme, bay leaves, Creole seasoning, bouillon powder, and red pepper flakes compliment the earthy flavor of lentils beautifully.
5. Broth – Chicken broth is our liquid of choice for this soup, but you could use beef or vegetable broth instead. 

How to Make Sausage Lentil Soup

• Short Soak – Soak lentils in cold water for about two hours or in boiling water 20 minutes before cooking. Lentils cook up quickly, so this step is optional. (Photo 1)
• Cook the Sausage – Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Then when the oil is hot, cook the sausage, stirring frequently until it’s brown, 3-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside. (Photo 2)
• Add the Veggies – Then add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and garlic is fragrant, 3-5 minutes. (Photos 3-4)
• Seasonings – Next, add tomatoes, lentils, Creole seasoning, bouillon powder, and broth. Mix to thoroughly combine, and then bring to a boil. (Photos 5-6)
• Simmer – Return cooked sausage, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover pot, reduce heat, and simmer until lentils are tender, 35-40 minutes. (Photo 7)
• Final Stretch – Stir in the spinach and pepper flakes if using them, and simmer for 3-5 more minutes until the spinach wilts. (Photo 8)
• Serve – Remove the bay leaf and serve warm in a bowl with a slice of crusty bread.

Recipe Variations

1. Sausage Swap – Italian sausage (spicy or mild) is a good choice for this soup, but if you tend to avoid pork, turkey or chicken sausage is fantastic. Ground meat also tastes good in this soup, so you can take your pick when it comes to the meat. 
2. Add Veggies – I’ve kept the veggies pretty basic for this recipe, but you can add more. Diced sweet potato, bell peppers, or butternut squash all taste wonderful in this soup.
3. More Flavor – What can’t bacon and cheese improve? 😜 Sautee the bacon with the sausage and add some grated parm or cheddar to top your soup if you want a more decadent-tasting dish.

Tips and Tricks

1. Keep an eye on your lentils as they cook, and give them a taste test every now and again. You want them to be tender but not overcooked unless you prefer a thicker soup.
2. Lentils absorb a lot of liquid while cooking. If the soup starts looking dry at any point during cooking, add more broth or water until you achieve your desired consistency.

Make-Ahead Instructions

This lentil and sausage soup is very make-ahead friendly. You can make this deliciousness a day or two ahead and store it in the fridge if you’d like. Simply reheat it on the stovetop before serving. Or, you can keep it in airtight containers in the freezer for three months. Thaw the soup out in the fridge the night before you want to reheat it. 

Serving and Storage Instructions

Serve sausage lentil soup piping hot with plenty of crusty bread. Yum!

Store leftover lentil soup with sausage sealed in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can reheat this soup in the microwave or on the stovetop on medium heat until it is warmed through.

FAQs

What Goes with Sausage Lentil Soup

Bread goes with sausage lentil soup! Crusty homemade garlic bread, Indian fry bread, and garlic knots are some of my favorite breads to pair with this soup, but any bread will taste great. Yay, bread!

Sometimes I like to round out this hearty dish with a salad too. A basic wedge salad to add freshness is ideal, or a sweet potato salad complements the soup’s flavors just perfectly.

More Soul-Satisfying Soup and Stew Recipes to Try

1. Ethiopian Lentil Stew
2. Beef Barley Soup
3. Cream of Mushroom Soup
4. Black Bean Soup
5. Corn and Crab Bisque
6. Guinness Beef Stew

Conclusion

Is cold weather on the horizon? Never fear; this soup will keep you warm and satisfied all winter. Are you a lentil lover? If so, please share your favorite lentil recipe in the comment section below. I always love hearing from you. 🫶

Watch How to Make It

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