Ham And Lentil Soup
A hearty ham and lentil soup packed with smoky sausage, fresh vegetables, and herbs, perfect for comforting family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 meaty ham bone ⓘ
- 6 cups water ⓘ
- 1 1/4 cups dried lentils, rinsed and sorted ⓘ
- 1 (28 oz.) can tomatoes with liquid, cut up ⓘ
- 2 to 3 carrots, sliced ⓘ
- 2 celery ribs, sliced ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 12 oz. bulk pork sausage, cooked and drained ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley ⓘ
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven, bring the ham bone and water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
- Remove the ham bone from the broth.
- Add lentils, tomatoes, carrots, celery, green onions, salt, garlic powder, oregano, and pepper to the broth; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes or until lentils and vegetables are tender.
- Meanwhile, remove ham from the bone and coarsely chop.
- Add the chopped ham, cooked sausage, and chopped parsley to the soup; heat through.
Tips & Substitutions
For a heartier soup, consider adding diced potatoes or sweet potatoes to the mix. If you don't have a ham bone, a smoked turkey leg can be a great substitute. To enhance flavor, try adding a touch of cumin or smoked paprika. If you want a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use vegetable broth along with additional spices for depth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with De-De'S Spinach Salad for a refreshing contrast. Consider topping each bowl with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of extra parsley for added flavor and presentation.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover ham and lentil soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, let the soup cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if it thickens too much during storage.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Ham And Lentil Soup contains roughly 147 calories, with 8g protein, 29g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (75% of the Daily Value), iron (34% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 753mg per serving (33% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned lentils instead of dried?
Yes, you can use canned lentils to save time. If using canned lentils, drain and rinse them, then add them to the soup during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking to heat through without overcooking.
What type of ham is best for this soup?
A bone-in ham hock or a meaty ham bone is ideal for this recipe as it imparts rich flavor to the broth. If you have leftover ham from a holiday meal, it can also be used to enhance the soup's taste.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! To make this in a slow cooker, add all ingredients except for the chopped ham and sausage. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Stir in the ham and sausage in the last 30 minutes to heat through.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).