Lentil Bean Soup

8 servings Prep: 20 m Cook: 7 h Total: 7 h 20 m Beginner
5.0/5 (1)
Lentil Bean Soup
Southerners love their beans, and this hearty lentil soup with smoked sausage, ham, and vegetables is pure comfort in a bowl. Substitute your favorite dried bean - great for northern beans too. Low and slow in the crock pot makes this an easy, soul-warming meal.

Ingredients

8 servings
  • 1 lb dried lentil beans or northern beans
  • 2 carrots, sliced in coins
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 2 stalks of celery, chopped
  • 1 tbsp melted butter
  • 3/4 lb smoked Cajun Smoked Sausage cut in rings
  • 1/2 lb cooked ham, cut in cubes
  • 1/2 pound Jimmy Dean pork sausage
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp ground thyme
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped fine
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp vinegar
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 tsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp red pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion pepper
  • 6 cups water or more to cover beans

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Spray crock pot lightly with cooking spray. Wash beans and place in pot.
  2. In a medium skillet over medium heat, sauté the carrots, onions and celery in the melted butter for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the pork sausage and cook until lightly browned, about 8-10 minutes. Add the ham, bay leaf, thyme, garlic, sugar, vinegar, potatoes, tomato paste, red pepper, garlic powder, and onion pepper; mix well. Pour into crock pot.
  3. Add enough water in the crock pot so that the water is 2 to 3 inches above the beans. Turn the crock pot on low for 6 to 8 hours.
  4. Brown the smoked sausage in a skillet and add to the crock pot in the last hour of cooking. Water may be added if needed. Stir well and serve over rice.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why are my beans still hard after cooking?

A: Make sure the water level stays 2-3 inches above the beans throughout cooking. Old dried beans can take longer to soften, so check doneness and add more cooking time if needed. Also ensure your crock pot is cooking at the proper temperature.

Q: Can I cook this on high instead of low?

A: Yes, you can cook on high for 4-5 hours instead of 6-8 hours on low, but the low-and-slow method gives better flavor development and more tender meat.

Tips and Techniques

Soaking the lentils or beans overnight can reduce cooking time by about an hour and helps with digestibility. Don’t add salt until the last hour of cooking, as it can toughen the beans.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • lentil beans: great northern beans, navy beans, or pinto beans
  • Cajun smoked sausage: andouille, kielbasa, or smoked turkey sausage
  • Jimmy Dean pork sausage: any ground pork sausage or mild Italian sausage
  • cooked ham: ham hock or smoked turkey

Equipment Needed

  • slow cooker/crock pot (6 quart minimum)
  • medium skillet
  • cutting board and knife

Historical Context

Bean soups have been a Southern staple for generations, stretching affordable ingredients into filling meals. The addition of multiple smoked and cured meats is classic Cajun technique - using what’s on hand to build deep, complex flavors.