Description

This Slow Cooker Golden Lentil Soup is a hearty and nutritious dish that is easy to prepare. Packed with red lentils, vegetables, and aromatic spices, this soup is both flavorful and comforting. The addition of coconut milk adds a creamy richness, while kale provides a boost of green goodness. Perfect for a cozy meal any day of the week!

Ingredients

Units Scale

Vegetable Mixture:

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 large carrots, thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced

Soup Base:

1 1/2 cups dry red lentils
4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 cup water
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
3 tsp. ground turmeric
1 tsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. freshly grated ginger (or 1 tsp. ground ginger)

Finishing Touches:

1 small bunch lacinato kale, stemmed and roughly chopped (or 3 handfuls of fresh baby spinach)
1 cup full-fat canned coconut milk
1 to 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice, to taste

Optional Garnishes:

fresh chopped cilantro
a dollop of yogurt
brown butter almonds (recipe in notes)

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Instructions

SLOW COOKER: Place the first twelve ingredients (through ginger) in a 5- to 6-quart electric slow cooker coated with cooking spray. Stir well to combine.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours, until lentils soften. Turn off heat and stir in kale, coconut milk, and lime juice. Cover and let stand for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Spoon into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro.
INSTANT POT: Set Instant Pot to SAUTE. Allow pot to heat for 3 minutes. Add 2 Tbsp. olive oil, along with onions, carrot, garlic, tomato paste, turmeric, cumin, and ginger. Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, lentils, broth, and water. Cover and fasten lid. Lock and seal the steam valve. Set to HIGH pressure for 5 minutes. When cooking ends, carefully release pressure by turning Pressure Release to VENT. Stir in kale, coconut milk, and lime juice; let stand for 2 to 3 minutes. Spoon into bowls and garnish with cilantro.

Notes

For a vegan option, use vegetable broth and dairy-free yogurt for garnish.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 15g
Protein: 14g
Cholesterol: 0mg