Sausage, Lentil &
Vegetable Soup
A deeply hearty, rustic slow cooker soup loaded with smoked turkey sausage, lentils, cabbage, carrots, celery, and onion in a rich chicken broth. The kind of soup that fills the house with an incredible smell all day and tastes even better the next morning. Set it up and forget it — this one does all the work.
- 2 pkg turkey smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
- 1–2 cups green or brown lentils, rinsed (see tip)
- 5 stalks celery, chopped
- 5 carrots, chopped
- 1 white onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ head cabbage, roughly chopped
- 6–8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ tsp black pepper
- — salt, to taste after cooking
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1
Prep & load the slow cooker
Chop the celery, carrots, onion, and cabbage into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic. Add all the vegetables to the slow cooker along with the sliced turkey sausage and rinsed lentils. Add the thyme, bay leaves, and black pepper.
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2
Add the broth
Pour in enough low-sodium chicken broth to just cover everything — about 6–8 cups depending on your slow cooker size. The lentils will absorb liquid as they cook and the soup will thicken considerably, so err toward more broth rather than less. Do not add salt yet — taste and season at the end once everything has cooked down.
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3
Slow cook
Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours until the lentils are completely tender and have thickened the broth, the vegetables are soft, and the sausage has infused the soup with its smoky flavor. Stir once or twice during cooking if you're around.
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4
Finish & serve
Remove and discard the bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning — salt and pepper to your preference. The turkey sausage will have added significant salt during cooking so taste before adding more. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.
- Lentils are higher carb: They're packed with fiber and plant protein which makes them one of the more nutritious higher-carb options — just be mindful of portion. Start with 1 cup for a brothier soup and use 2 cups if you want something thick and hearty.
- Low-sodium broth matters: Turkey smoked sausage carries significant sodium — using low-sodium chicken broth keeps the overall salt level in check. Always taste before adding any additional salt.
- Green or brown lentils hold up best: Red lentils will break down almost completely and turn the soup into more of a thick stew — green or brown lentils hold their shape better through the long slow cook, giving you more texture in every bowl.
- Even better the next day: Like all slow cooker soups, this one deepens significantly overnight as the lentils continue to absorb the broth. It will thicken considerably in the fridge — add a splash of broth when reheating to loosen it back up.
- Freezes beautifully: Portion into individual freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. This is a perfect cold weather freezer staple — reheat on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of broth.