Reese Witherspoon’s Cozy Slow Cooker Lentil Soup Recipe

Reese Witherspoon may be best known for her award-winning performances, but she’s also got a knack for comfort food. The actress and entrepreneur loves using her slow cooker, and back in 2021, she shared a simple lentil soup recipe that’s perfect for a cozy night in. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, Reese proves that delicious homemade soup doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how to make Reese Witherspoon’s slow cooker lentil soup.

What makes Reese’s slow cooker lentil soup special?

Lentil soup is already a great healthy meal option: it’s loaded with protein, fiber and warm, earthy flavors that make it satisfying and wholesome. But Reese’s take on it is even better because of its simplicity and flexibility. “Sharing an easy, delicious Lentil Soup recipe,” she captioned the January 2021 Instagram post. The video now has over two million views.

Reese doesn’t stick to a rigid recipe, which means you can easily adapt the dish to suit your tastes. While her base version is vegetarian, she playfully adds sausage, making it heartier and adding a layer of savory richness. “I’m just going off recipe. Off recipe!” Reese says with a smile. “So we’ll see how it turns out.” Plus, this soup is budget-friendly, packed with nutritious ingredients and requires minimal hands-on cooking time thanks to the slow cooker.

In the video, Reese shows all the ingredients she uses for her lentil soup, which include tons of veggies, spices and, of course, lentils. “We’re going to use green lentils and we’re going to rinse them beforehand,” Reese notes. These hold their shape well and offer a slightly firm texture. If you prefer a creamier soup, try red lentils, which break down more as they cook.

Tips to make the best Reese-approved lentil soup

Want to make this soup as effortlessly delicious as Reese does? Here are some key tips:

• Brown the sausage first. If you’re adding sausage, cook it in a pan before tossing it into the slow cooker. A caramelized crust enhances the flavor of the entire meal.
• Sauté the veggies for extra flavor. Reese starts by sautéing her onions, carrots and celery before adding them to the slow cooker. This helps bring out their natural sweetness and enhances the soup’s overall taste.
• Customize your seasoning. Reese’s choice of cumin, coriander and paprika gives this soup a slightly smoky, earthy flavor. If you like extra heat, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes. For a richer umami taste, a splash of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce can do wonders.

Reese Witherspoon’s slow cooker lentil soup recipe

Whether you’re a fan of her movies, her book club or just her love of cozy cooking, this easy recipe is worth adding to your meal rotation. Reese, for one, likes it, as she holds up an empty bowl at the end of the video and says “Oops it was great!” She didn’t provide exact measurements or directions, so here’s a version from Allrecipes.

Ingredients: 

• 12 oz. preferred sausage (optional)
• 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 large carrots, diced
• 3 ribs celery, diced
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• ¼ tsp. ground coriander
• ½ tsp. smoked paprika
• 1 Tbs. tomato paste
• 2 cups green lentils, rinsed
• 8 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or stock
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions: 

• Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 to 8 servings

1. If using sausage, brown it in a skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring to crumble, until browned, about eight minutes. Then, transfer to a 5- to 8-quart slow cooker with a slotted spoon.
2. Drain the fat from the skillet and return to the stove over medium heat. Then sauté onion, carrots and celery until softened, about five minutes. Add salt, garlic, cumin, coriander and paprika and cook, stirring for another minute. After, stir in the tomato paste, one minute.
3. Pour in two cups of the vegetable broth, stirring to deglaze the skillet. Then transfer everything to the slow cooker along with the lentils and remaining broth.
4. Cover and cook on Low until the lentils are tender, six to eight hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Portion the soup into bowls, garnish with Parmesan cheese and serve with lemon wedges.

Storing and reheating leftovers

Keep leftovers  in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. For longer storage, freeze in individual portions for up to three months. Simply reheat on the stove or in the microwave for a quick, hearty meal.