Lentil stew recipe with sausage kielbasa, carrots and celery makes a hearty and healthy meal for dinner you'll love. One of our favorite Crockpot recipes of all time.

Dried Lentil stew has become one of our new favorite meals. We can throw it all in in the morning and when we are home from our busy activities, enjoy a bowl of this one pot meal together. One of the simple Crockpot sausage recipes We have on our site and wanted to share. (post may contain affiliate links present)

Slow Cooker Lentil Stew

We have made Lentil Soup with Ham before after the holidays but we don't always have that type of meat on hand. A great substitute for us has been kielbasa sliced into bite size pieces. Not only does it add protein to this meal but has so much flavor in it that few seasonings are required beyond that.

If you have never cooked this type of legume yourself we are here to help with a number of different ways. Low and slow will get them super tender but there is a texture preference for sure when it comes to these. An hour too long may “ruin” it for you so keep an eye on it the first go around.

Now yellow, green or brown lentils still have the hulls in tact so they stay firmer for longer than Red Lentils. Those are hulled with skins removed therefore become softer with more of a mushy texture. Choose the style and color you'd like.

Ingredient notes

1 onion diced are great, yellow or white
2 stalks celery diced
Carrots peeled and diced
Minced garlic jarred or fresh
Lentils rinsed and drained
4 sausage links cut into dials
Diced tomatoeswe like petite canned
1/2 tsp thyme is a nice add in
Chicken or vegetable broth
Add salt and pepper to taste when done

The cook time for lentils in a slow cooker can vary depending on the type you're using and the specific recipe you're following. Same thing goes for Green Lentils on Stove. Here's a general guideline for cooking common types in a Crockpot

How Long to cook lentils in a slow cooker

Brown Lentils are the most common type and hold their shape well. When cooking brown lentils in a slow cooker, you can generally follow these guidelines:
- High Cook for 3 to 4 hours.
- Low Cook for 6 to 8 hours.
Green Lentils are known for their firm texture and earthy flavor. They take a bit longer to cook than brown lentils but still work well in a slow cooker:
- Cook for 4 to 5 hours high
- Low setting cook for 7 to 9 hours.
Red Lentils cook more quickly and tend to break down, creating a creamy texture. When using red lentils in a slow cooker:
- 2 to 3 hours High
- Slow Cooker Lentils cooked on low for 4 to 6 hours are usually solid
French Green Lentils are similar to regular green lentils but may require slightly less time:
- 3 to 4 hours on high
- 6 to 8 hours on low
Black Lentils are small and hold their shape well. They cook relatively quickly in a slow cooker:
- Cook for 3 to 4 hours on high
- 6 to 8 hours on low

Remember that these are general guidelines, and the actual cooking time may vary based on factors such as the cooker's temperature accuracy and the specific recipe you're using. Always check for tenderness and adjust as needed. Additionally, the liquid to legume ratio is important, so ensure you have enough liquid to cover them by about an inch or so.

If you want a plant based vegan lentil stew then use vegetable broth and leave out the meat entirely. If you aren't a huge fan of kielbasa let's say then you could cook ground or Italian sausage in a bit of olive oil, slice and throw that in there. Easier with this for meal prep since it is already cooked and you slice.

Soups and stews made with these are subjective as to the desired texture. Depends on whom you ask whether they prefer them more like split pea soup consistency or needing to chew it a bit more.

Swaps

Love serving this with garlic crusty bread on the side to dunk it and scoop some up for dinnertime. Do this with almost all our favorite Instant Pot Lentil curry recipes too.

with chicken

Now if we do have leftover chicken that works well in there too. Diced and bite sized will keep it's texture a bit more than shredded but either one works. Before you jump to recipe let us answer a few frequent questions we have had thus far. If you have others leave them in the comments and we will do our best to answer them too.

in pressure cooker

They are quite forgiving though, so even if you slightly overcook or undercook them they can still be tasty and versatile for a variety of dishes like Instant Pot Lentil Soup with Ham and stews like this one.

with rice

We have made Lentils and Rice together in our Instant Pot but don't recommend cooking that grain in your Crockpot. The consistency is off.

Kitchen questions

What are stewed lentils?

Stewed lentils refer to lentils that have been cooked in a liquid, typically with added seasonings, vegetables, and sometimes meats or meat alternatives, until they become tender and flavorful. The process of stewing involves simmering ingredients in a liquid over low heat for an extended period, allowing the flavors to meld and develop.

Do you have to soak lentils before cooking them?

Unlike some other legumes like dried beans, lentils do not require soaking before cooking. Lentils are small and cook relatively quickly, making them one of the most convenient and versatile to prepare.

Lentil Stew

By Slow cooker lentil stew recipe with sausage kielbasa, carrots and celery makes a hearty and healthy meal for dinner you'll love. Prep: 15 minutes minsCook: 7 hours hrsServings: 8 Save Recipe Saved! Pin Recipe Comment Print Recipe

Equipment

Ingredients

1 onion, diced
2 stalks celery, dicced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
1 tsp minced garlic
1 c lentils, rinsed and drained
4 sausage links, cut into dials
28 oz diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp thyme
32 oz chicken broth
salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Place all ingredients into the slow cooker and stir to combine.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or until the lentils and vegetables are tender.
** For ideal texture it is helpful to gently fold ingredients (stir) 1-2 times during this time if possible.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Entree, Main Course, SoupCuisine: American Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!