Description
Slow Cooker Herb Garlic Lentils are a cozy, hearty, and flavor-packed plant-based dish made with tender lentils, fresh herbs, garlic, and vegetables. This easy slow cooker recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, and healthy comfort food lovers.
Ingredients
For the Lentils:
1 ½ cups dry brown or green lentils
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
For the Herbs & Seasoning:
2–3 sprigs fresh thyme
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional Add-Ins:
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, diced
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
Rinse lentils under cold water until clear, removing any debris.
Add diced onion, garlic, carrots, and celery (if using) to the slow cooker.
Pour in lentils and vegetable broth.
Add thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Ensure ingredients are covered by about 1 inch of liquid.
Season with salt and pepper, then stir gently.
Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until lentils are tender.
Stir halfway through cooking if possible for even flavor distribution.
Remove bay leaf, taste, and adjust seasoning. Add a splash of lemon juice if desired before serving.
Notes
Use brown or green lentils for best texture; red lentils will become mushy.
Add extra broth if lentils become too thick during cooking.
Fresh herbs provide the best flavor, but dried can be substituted (use half the amount).
This dish thickens as it sits—perfect for leftovers and meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 14 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg