By Laurel Perry
Published Oct 15, 2025
When the weather starts to cool down, I always make a big batch of this ham and lentil soup. It’s warm, filling, and packed with flavor from simple ingredients like carrots, garlic, and smoky paprika. I’ll usually make a double batch in the fall and freeze half for busy weeks when I don’t feel like cooking. You probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry already, and if you don’t, throw in what you have. This is one of those stews you can clear out your fridge with. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or just craving something hearty on a chilly day, this soup always hits the spot.
Lentils are one of those ingredients I always have tucked in my pantry—they’re affordable, cook up easily, and bring a ton of protein and fiber to the table. I use them in all kinds of recipes, from cozy soups like this ham and lentil version to my sausage lentil soup when I’m craving something a little more savory and bold. This one’s a favorite in the fall when I’ve got leftover holiday ham to use up. You just toss everything in one pot and let it all simmer until the flavors come together. It’s the kind of low-fuss, comforting meal that tastes even better the next day and happens to be naturally gluten-free and freezer-friendly.
Tips for Beginners
- Avoid red or yellow lentils. They break down quickly and can make the soup overly mushy. Black lentils aren’t ideal either; they stay too firm and can turn the soup a muddy color.
- Use fresh. If your lentils aren’t softening, they might be old lentils that have been sitting in the pantry for over a year, and can take much longer to cook or may never fully soften.
- Soak lentils in advance. If you have time, soaking the lentils for a few hours (or even overnight) can help them cook more evenly and reduce the overall cooking time. It also makes them a little easier to digest, which is a nice bonus.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 tbsp olive oil
- ▢ 1 yellow onion diced
- ▢ 2 medium carrots diced
- ▢ 2 stalks celery sliced
- ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ 1½ cups dried brown lentils* rinsed
- ▢ 1½ cups diced cooked ham
- ▢ 4 cups low sodium chicken broth (for a vegetarian option omit ham and use veggie broth)
- ▢ 2 cups water
- ▢ 1 tsp kosher salt
- ▢ 1 tsp cumin
- ▢ 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ▢ ½ tsp pepper
- ▢ 1 tbsp red wine vinegar more to taste
- ▢ 2 tbsp minced parsley
Video
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add in the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 60 seconds or until fragrant. 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 yellow onion, 2 medium carrots, 2 stalks celery, 3 cloves garlic
- Stir in the lentils, ham, chicken broth, water**, salt, cumin, smoked paprika, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until the lentils are tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. 1½ cups dried brown lentils*, 1½ cups diced cooked ham, 4 cups low sodium chicken broth, 2 cups water, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp pepper
- Turn off heat and stir in the red wine vinegar***, parsley and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve and enjoy! 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 2 tbsp minced parsley
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Cook Ham and Lentil Soup Step by Step
Gather all the ingredients together.
Sauté the mirepoix: In a Dutch oven or large pot, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add in 1 diced yellow onion, 2 diced medium carrots, and 2 diced stalks of celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 3 minced cloves of garlic and cook for about 1 minute, just until it becomes fragrant.
Add in the remaining ingredients: Add 1½ cups rinsed dried brown lentils, 1½ cups diced ham, 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 cups water, 1 tsp kosher salt, cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and ½ tsp black pepper, and give everything a good stir.
Boil the soup: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the lentils are tender.
Finish and season: Turn off the heat, then stir in 1 tbsp red wine vinegar and 2 tbsp minced parsley. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
Serve and enjoy: Serve hot in bowls with a side of crusty bread. Enjoy!
How to Store and Reheat
Let the soup cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze in zip-top bags or freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water or broth to loosen it up.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving this soup with a warm, crusty baguette or naan bread to soak up every last bit. If I’m feeling a little extra, I’ll top it with a drizzle of good olive oil or a sprinkle of Parmesan. And on really cozy nights, nothing beats pairing it with a grilled cheese for the ultimate comfort meal.
More Cozy Soups to try
Cheesy Parmesan Meatball Soup Recipe
Sweet Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup
Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Pie Crust Crackers
Minestrone Soup with Orzo and Pancetta
Ham and Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 2 medium carrots diced
- 2 stalks celery sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1½ cups dried brown lentils* rinsed
- 1½ cups diced cooked ham
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth (for a vegetarian option omit ham and use veggie broth)
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar more to taste
- 2 tbsp minced parsley
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add in the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 60 seconds or until fragrant. 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 yellow onion, 2 medium carrots, 2 stalks celery, 3 cloves garlic
- Stir in the lentils, ham, chicken broth, water**, salt, cumin, smoked paprika, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until the lentils are tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. 1½ cups dried brown lentils*, 1½ cups diced cooked ham, 4 cups low sodium chicken broth, 2 cups water, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp pepper
- Turn off heat and stir in the red wine vinegar***, parsley and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve and enjoy! 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 2 tbsp minced parsley
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
