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Vegan Mushroom Lentil Soup

Vegan Mushroom Lentil Soup (Crockpot Recipe)

Earthy mushrooms, hearty lentils, and bright herbs — all simmered into a cozy, 100% vegan soup that tastes like home. Smoky, savory, and surprisingly soul-warming, this Vegan Mushroom Lentil Soup hits all the comfort-food notes without any fuss.
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Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Servings: 6
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 307
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ oz dried wild mushrooms shiitake + porcini
  • 3 cups warm water for soaking mushrooms
  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup finely chopped yellow onion
  • 1 cup chopped portobello mushroom caps remove stems/gills
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped celery
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
  • 2 cups finely chopped russet potatoes scrubbed
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp harissa paste or to taste
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
  • ½ cup white wine or extra broth
  • 1½ cups dried brown lentils
  • 5 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley + extra for garnish
  • 1 tbsp white-wine vinegar
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ¾ tsp ground black pepper
  • Bold note: This recipe stays 100% vegan — the wine cooks down and the vinegar + lemon brighten the whole pot.

Equipment

  • Crockpot / slow cooker (6-quart works well)
  • Large bowl (for soaking mushrooms)
  • Rimmed baking sheet (if you brown mushrooms first)
  • Cutting board and chef’s knife
  • Wooden spoon and ladle
  • Immersion blender (optional — for a creamier texture) or countertop blender
  • You don’t need a fancy setup. I use my 6-quart crockpot and a trusty knife, and the soup still steals the show.

Method
 

  1. Crockpot Method (recommended if you want low fuss)
  2. Soak mushrooms: Combine dried mushrooms and 3 cups warm water in a bowl; soak 30 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh, reserving the soaking liquid. Chop the rehydrated mushrooms.
  3. Sauté aromatics (optional but tasty): Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet. Sauté onion, portobello, celery, and bell pepper until soft (3–5 minutes). Add potatoes and cook for 2–3 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, harissa, thyme, and chopped soaked mushrooms for 1 minute. Deglaze with ½ cup white wine and let the alcohol burn off for 1–2 minutes.
  4. Load the crockpot: Transfer the sautéed mix to the crockpot. Add 1½ cups dried brown lentils, 5 cups vegetable broth, and the reserved mushroom soaking liquid (about 3 cups). Stir to combine.
  5. Cook: Cover and cook Low 5–6 hours or High 3–4 hours until lentils and potatoes turn tender.
  6. Finish: Stir in ⅓ cup parsley, 1 tbsp white-wine vinegar, 2 tsp lemon juice, ¾ tsp salt, and ¾ tsp pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings. Garnish with extra parsley and serve.
  7. Stovetop Method (when you want it sooner — ~55 minutes total)
  8. Follow the original recipe steps in a large Dutch oven: soak mushrooms; sauté aromatics; add wine; add lentils, broth, and soaking liquid; simmer ~20 minutes until lentils tender; finish with parsley, vinegar, and lemon.
  9. Step-by-step tips for the best result
  10. Soak the mushrooms — the soaking liquid packs concentrated umami, so don’t dump it. Strain and add it back to the pot.
  11. Brown the portobellos for extra depth. I toss them in the skillet until the edges caramelize; that adds “meaty” flavor.
  12. Toast the tomato paste with the aromatics for 60 seconds before adding liquid. That step unlocks richer flavors.
  13. Use brown lentils — they hold shape and cook reliably. Red lentils turn mushy, which works for pureed soups but not this “chunky” style.
  14. Adjust harissa to your heat tolerance. Start with 1 tbsp and add more at the end if you want more kick.
  15. Ever tried to skip the tomato paste? Don’t. I tried it once and the soup tasted… flat. Lesson learned.

Notes

Nutrition (per serving — approximate)

  • Calories: ~307 kcal
  • Fat: ~3 g
  • Carbs: ~50 g
  • Protein: ~16 g
This soup gives a solid plant-protein punch and a hearty carb base from potatoes and lentils. IMO, that’s lunch that nourishes and satisfies.