Hearty Country Lentil and Beef Soup
This warm and comforting Hearty Country Lentil and Beef Soup is perfect for chilly days and hectic weekends. Inspired by a busy hockey weekend, I wanted a nourishing meal ready for family when they returned home. This soup is a delightful blend of protein-packed lentils, hearty ground beef, and a medley of vegetables. Not only does it warm you up, but it also helps utilize pantry staples, making it a perfect recipe for cleaning out the cupboards. Simply combine all the ingredients in your trusty Crock-Pot, and let it simmer all day for a flavor-packed dinner that the whole family will love. Plus, the leftovers are even better the next day!
6
Servings
200
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried lentils
1 cup (Use a mix of red, brown, green, and yellow lentils.)
Diced tomatoes
28 ounces (Use one large can, do not drain.)
Lean ground beef
8 ounces (Brown in a skillet before adding.)
Celery
3 ounces (Thinly sliced (about 3 stalks).)
Baby carrots
3 ounces (Thinly sliced (good-sized handful).)
Onion
1/2 small (Diced.)
Garlic cloves
2 (Minced.)
Water
3 cups (Use as needed.)
Beef bouillon
3 teaspoons (Use cubes or granules.)
Dried basil
1 teaspoon (Use dried.)
Dried oregano
1 teaspoon (Use dried.)
Dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon (Use dried.)
Bay leaf
1-2 (Use whole.)
Instructions
1
In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat and set aside.
2
In a large 4 to 5-quart Crock-Pot, combine all ingredients: lentils, diced tomatoes (with their juice), browned ground beef, celery, baby carrots, onion, garlic, water, beef bouillon, dried basil, oregano, thyme, and bay leaf.
3
Stir the mixture gently to ensure the lentils and vegetables are evenly distributed.
4
Cover and cook on low for at least 12 hours or on high for 6 hours. For best results, you can cook on low for 5 hours and then switch to high for 4 hours.
5
Once cooking is complete, remove the bay leaves before serving.
6
For optimal consistency, if saving leftovers, add an additional cup of water to the soup to prevent it from thickening too much overnight. This makes for delicious leftovers!
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
30g
Carbs
13g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary cooking method for Hearty Country Lentil and Beef Soup?
The primary cooking method is using a Crock-Pot or slow cooker, allowing the ingredients to simmer all day.
How many servings does this lentil and beef soup recipe make?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
Should the ground beef be cooked before adding it to the Crock-Pot?
Yes, you should brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain the excess fat before adding it to the slow cooker.
How many calories are in a single serving of this soup?
There are approximately 200 calories per serving.
What types of lentils are recommended for this recipe?
The recipe suggests using a mix of red, brown, green, and yellow dried lentils.
What is the recommended cooking time on the low setting?
The soup should be cooked on low for at least 12 hours.
What is the recommended cooking time on the high setting?
The soup should be cooked on high for approximately 6 hours.
Is there a hybrid cooking time for better results?
For best results, you can cook the soup on low for 5 hours and then switch it to high for 4 hours.
What vegetables are included in the Hearty Country Lentil and Beef Soup?
The soup includes diced tomatoes, celery, baby carrots, onion, and garlic.
How much ground beef is needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of lean ground beef.
Do I need to drain the canned tomatoes?
No, you should use the 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes without draining the juice.
How much water is added to the Crock-Pot?
You should add 3 cups of water, or more as needed.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The seasoning includes dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, and a whole bay leaf.
What should I do with the bay leaf before serving?
You should remove and discard the bay leaf once the cooking is complete.
How much protein is in one serving of the soup?
Each serving contains 13 grams of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
The fat content is 5 grams per serving.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 30 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What tip is provided for storing and eating leftovers?
To prevent the soup from thickening too much overnight, add an additional cup of water to the leftovers.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe requires 2 minced garlic cloves.
What size Crock-Pot is best for this recipe?
A large 4 to 5-quart Crock-Pot is recommended.
How should the celery and carrots be prepared?
Both the celery (3 stalks) and baby carrots (handful) should be thinly sliced.
Can I use beef bouillon cubes?
Yes, you can use 3 teaspoons of beef bouillon granules or an equivalent amount of cubes.
How much onion is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 of a small onion, diced.
What is the total number of ingredients in this soup?
There are 13 main ingredients in this recipe.
Is this soup considered a healthy meal?
Yes, it is described as a nourishing, protein-packed, and healthy meal.
Is this recipe good for meal planning?
Yes, it is labeled for meal prep and is noted to be even better the next day.
Can I use this recipe to clean out my pantry?
Yes, it is specifically mentioned as a perfect recipe for utilizing pantry staples like dried lentils and bouillon.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain the fat.
What kind of consistency does the soup have as a leftover?
The soup tends to thicken significantly overnight, which is why adding more water is suggested.
Does this soup contain any added sugar?
According to the nutritional data provided, the sugar content is null or not specified as an addition.