Published November 9, 2022.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Try a bowl of this comforting ham and lentil soup that is jam-packed with delicious ham, vegetables, and lentils that are cooked in stock. You will love the flavors of this and just how easy it is to make.
This recipe isn’t just meant to keep you nice and toasty during those cool fall and winter months, it’s also a great recipe to use leftover holiday ham. If you’re looking for more recipes that use leftover ham, check out my Ham and Bean Soup and Red Beans and Rice.
![Ham and Lentil Soup Recipe (1) Ham and Lentil Soup Recipe (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.billyparisi.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ham-and-lentil-2.jpg)
Ham and Lentil Soup
Ham and lentil soup is a hearty soup consisting of ham, vegetables, and lentils that are simmered in a broth until cooked. This soup will most likely have different variations depending on who is making it and what country or region of the country you are in. While it is a very simple recipe, you can be creative and add other ingredients to it to customize it to your liking.
What is a Lentil?
A lentil is a legume, or bean, that comes from the Mediterranean area and has been grown and eaten for thousands of years.There are several different varieties of lentils, but the most used ones are green, brown, and red, and go great with ham.
Lentils look a lot like split peas and come from a pod that grows on a plant much like peas, and then they are dried out.They have an earthy, nutty flavor and go great in salads, pilafs, soups, and especially with salmon and pork.
Most of the lentils in the United States are grown in the Pacific Northwest, and theydo need to be rinsed before use so that you can wash off any dirt or get rid of any unwanted particles should any even be in there.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Ham – You will need fully cooked and cut-up ham for this soup.
- Sausage – I prefer to use sweet Italian sausage. However, you can use just about any link sausage in this.
- Mirepoix – A combination of onions, celery, and carrots is used. Feel free to use a yellow, white, or sweet onion.
- Garlic – A few cloves of garlic will help bring out a lot of flavors.
- Vegetables – I like to add green beans and russet potatoes. Feel free to use Yukon potatoes instead of russets.
- Stock – You can use chicken stock or vegetable stock.
- Lentils – I used dried green lentils, but you can use brown lentils as well.
- Herbs – Fresh parsley and thyme add a lot of flavor to the soup. Other herbs that would work in this are fresh oregano or rosemary.
How to Make Ham and Lentil Soup
Add the sausage to a large pot over medium heat and cook it until browned and cooked throughout about 7-9 minutes.
![Ham and Lentil Soup Recipe (2) Ham and Lentil Soup Recipe (2)](https://i0.wp.com/www.billyparisi.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ham-and-lentil-soup-process-1.jpg)
Set the sausage to the side and add the onions, celery, garlic, and carrots to the pot and sauté for 6-8 minutes in the rendered Italian sausage fat.
![Ham and Lentil Soup Recipe (3) Ham and Lentil Soup Recipe (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.billyparisi.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ham-and-lentil-soup-process-2.jpg)
Next, add back in the cooked sausage, ham, green beans, potatoes, and chicken stock and cook on low heat for 8 to 10 minutes.
![Ham and Lentil Soup Recipe (4) Ham and Lentil Soup Recipe (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.billyparisi.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ham-and-lentil-soup-process-3.jpg)
Rinse the lentils and then add them to the pot, cover and cook over low to medium heat for 25-30 minutes or until tender.
![Ham and Lentil Soup Recipe (5) Ham and Lentil Soup Recipe (5)](https://i0.wp.com/www.billyparisi.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ham-and-lentil-soup-process-4.jpg)
Add in herbs, salt, and pepper, and serve.
![Ham and Lentil Soup Recipe (6) Ham and Lentil Soup Recipe (6)](https://i0.wp.com/www.billyparisi.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ham-and-lentil-soup-process-45.jpg)
Variations:
Some other vegetables that would be great in this soup are:
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
- Yellow Squash
- Wax Beans
- Butternut Squash
- Sweet Potatoes
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead:You can make this up to 1 day ahead of time. Follow the reheating instructions below.
How to Store:You can store this ham and lentil soup covered in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. This will also freeze covered for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating and serving.
How to Reheat:Add the desired amount of soup to a medium-sized saucepot and cook over low heat until hot. Adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper and serve.
Chef Notes + Tips
- Leftover ham is great to use in this soup.
- Remember, soup gets better with time, so the longer it can sit and simmer on low heat, the better it will taste.
More Soup Recipes
- Chicken Dumpling Soup
- Mulligatawny
- French Onion Soup
- Scotch Broth
- Lentil Soup
Video
Save
Ham and Lentil Soup Recipe
5 from 17 votes
Try a bowl of this comforting ham and lentil soup that is jam-packed with delicious ham, vegetables, and lentils that are cooked in stock.
Servings: 10
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour hour
Ingredients
- 1 pound loose Italian sausage
- 1 peeled and small diced yellow onion
- 4 small diced ribs of celery
- 4 peeled and small diced carrots
- 4 finely minced cloves of garlic
- 2 cups trimmed fresh green beans
- 2 peeled and medium diced russet potatoes
- 2 pounds medium diced ham
- 12 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups green lentils, rinsed
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
Instructions
Add the sausage to a large pot over medium heat and cook it until browned and cooked throughout about 7-9 minutes.
Set the sausage to the side and add the onions, celery, garlic, and carrots to the pot and sauté for 6-8 minutes in the rendered Italian sausage fat.
Next, add back in the cooked sausage, ham, green beans, potatoes, and chicken stock and cook on low heat for 8 to 10 minutes
Rinse the lentils and then add them to the pot, cover and cook over low to medium heat for 25-30 minutes or until tender.
Add in parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper and serve.
Notes
Make-Ahead:You can make this up to 1 day ahead of time. Follow the reheating instructions below.
How to Store:You can store this ham and lentil soup covered in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. This will also freeze covered for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating and serving.
How to Reheat:Add the desired amount of soup to a medium-sized saucepot and cook over low heat until hot. Adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper and serve.
Leftover ham is great to use in this soup.
Remember, soup gets better with time, so the longer it can sit and simmer on low heat, the better it will taste.
Nutrition
Calories: 674kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 45gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 1845mgPotassium: 1377mgFiber: 14gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 4327IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 75mgIron: 6mg
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American, French
Author: Chef Billy Parisi
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28 comments
- Debra Smieja
It’s perfect!! Thank you!!
- Reply
- Barb Simmons
I’ve made this a few times now. Absolutely delicious, everyone raves about it! Thank you.
- Reply
- Spenser
This was soo good & simple to make- thanks chef!
- Reply
- Amy
The best Lentil Soup ever! So easy and delicious. My whole family loves it!! Used leftover Christmas ham.
- Reply
- Anita Gavranic
Delicious and very hearty! Love all the recipes you share❣️
- Reply
- Danielle
One of our favorite recipes. I make double and share with our friends.
- Reply
- Barbara Rogers
My family loved this soup. I added fresh spinach instead of green beans. Served with some warm crusty sourdough bread and cheese. Fresh fruit for dessert and we had a perfect Fall/Winter dinner. Thank you for bringing me back to the way my Italian family cooked while I was growing up. Simple, fresh, healthy and delicious.
- Reply
- Elaine De Felix
Planned on making lentil soup with ham today…odd that. Your recipe will far enhance my soup. Never thought of adding sausage yet will add so much. Again, thank you so much.
- Reply
- Chef Billy Parisi
Appreciate you trying it out!
- Reply
- Lisa Albers
Love this soup. Hearty and flavorful. I serve crusty French bread with this fabulous soup.
- Reply
See AlsoEasy Beef Stroganoff Recipedelicious!
- Reply
- Elaine Presutti
This is the second dish I’ve tried and both are just wonderful. Billy’s directions are easy to follow. He adds that extra touch that makes his dishes so delicious!
- Reply
Excellent!
- Reply
- richard omohundro
Just one of 30 Billy recipes i have made and have yet to be disappointed.. Just follow the instructions, take your time and you too will eat well and feel great about the meal you put on the table.. and oh,,, IMPRESS YOU GUESTS!!!!!
- Reply
Thank you so kindly!!
- Reply
- Metedith Chandler
Delicious and easy to make. Loaded with flavor! Thanks
- Reply
thank you so kindly!!
- Reply
- Colleen Huthmaker
I’m always looking for fast and easy recipes and during the winter we love soup. I made this and not only was this so easy to follow was loaded with flavor. Great way to get lentils in your diet. Just ordered another package of lentils to make this recipe in the near future. Thank you again for another great recipe.
- Reply
thanks for giving it a shot!!
- Reply
- Kristi Crisham
This soup is great! Definitely going to be in the frequently made category!
- Reply
Awesome!
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- leanne tiller
Billy, yes I made this!!!! Absolutely amazing flavor.. Thank you
- Reply
- Mary Kok
A+! I did think about adding tomatoes, but it was also great without them. What is that in the picture above the soup (looks like some kind of bread)?
- Reply
Cornbread
- Reply
- Donna
Can you freeze this soup?
- Reply
yes. Check chef notes.
- Reply
- Judy
So good. Easy too.
- Reply
- Chicken Recipes
Great post!
Dear, it’s very beautiful to see. I like your explanation. Your video is very helpful for me. thank u- Reply