Update: the winner of the beautiful Hurst’s Beans clay bean pot is comment #50 from Michelle Schweitzer! Congratulations, Michelle.
Gumbo soup? Isn’t that redundant?
Well, there’s a reason and I want to get to it right up front. Because I know that my Gulf Coast friends (yes, I’m looking at you Drick) would flip out if I called this recipe a “gumbo” and there’s no roux in sight. See, a real gumbo starts with the making of roux, a combination of flour and fat cooked to a particular dark or light color depending on the recipe.
So, instead of proclaiming that this is gumbo, I chose to call it gumbo-soup. It’s definitely influenced by gumbo with its use of the trinity – onion, celery, and bell pepper – along with red pepper flakes, Tabasco, and Worcestershire, but it’s not quite as thick owing to the lack of the roux. Okay – everybody happy now?
What makes this gumbo soup so different is that it contains lentils! That’s right. I’m using lentils in place of the second protein, often chicken, that you’d usually find in gumbo. Did you realize that lentils are one of the most nutritious foods in the world? They have loads of protein, they’re low in fat and high in fiber. I’ve also read that they are helpful in reducing cholesterol and beneficial to controlling diabetes. Good gracious, is there anything lentils can’t do?
I used Hurst’s Garlic and Herb Lentils to make this batch of delicious gumbo soup. They’re so convenient and loads of flavor is already provided for you in the seasoning packet.
Just rinse the lentils under cold running water. Then, believe it or not, all you do is add everything into a big slow cooker, set it on high, and let it go for about four hours. That’s it!
Just a note or two for you – be sure to use a good smoked sausage in this recipe. I chose a hickory smoked sausage from Conecuh, but you go with whatever you like. It does need to be smoked, though, and not a kielbasa or something like that. The smoky flavor is really important to the finished recipe.
Also, for the okra I recommend just grabbing a bag of frozen, sliced okra at the grocery store. It’s just as good as fresh and a big time saver.
The spices can be adjusted to suit your tastes. If you like more red pepper flakes or more Tabasco – go for it! I tend to go light on the fiery stuff and offer more at the table for others to add to their serving.
And, finally – cornbread makes a mighty fine accompaniment to this soup. Yum.
Enjoy!
Lentils take the place of a second protein in this deliciously flavored soup based on traditional Louisiana-style gumbo.
Ingredients
- 1 pkg. Hurst’s Garlic and Herb Lentils
- 8 cups water
- 1 lb. smoked sausage, cut in 1” pieces
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 bunch fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- 2-3 green onions, chopped
- 2 cups sliced okra
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 5-6 dashes Tabasco sauce
- 1 tblsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
- Filé powder (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse the lentils under running water.
- Combine the lentils, seasoning packet, and all remaining ingredients in a slow cooker.
- Cook on high for four hours or until lentils are tender.
- Serve individual portions in soup bowls.
- Pass filé powder for use as desired.
Notes
Cornbread goes very nicely with this soup.
And now for the giveaway! If you’re a regular reader, you may have noticed that I’ve posted a few recipes lately featuring Hurst’s Beans products. Well, those nice folks have offered the chance for one of you to win a beautiful Hurst’s HamBeens bean pot! These coveted clay pots are handmade near the N. K. Hurst Company in Indiana and are currently only available as “prizes” for contests, auctions, and charity events. Not only would this pot look awesome in your kitchen, but you can actually cook your beans in it, too!
To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is simply leave a comment below. That’s it! Just tell me what you’re cooking for supper tonight, or how your day went, or what your plans are for Saturday. Doesn’t matter…just speak up.
Oh, and if you want, I know Hurst Beans would appreciate you “liking” them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/hurstbeans) and following them on Twitter (@hurstbeans), but it’s not a requirement for the giveaway.
Comments for the giveaway will remain open through next Friday, February 22. The winner will be determined by random.org and notified on Saturday. Open to residents of the continental U.S. only.
Note: I am required by FTC rules to disclose that I will receive compensation from the N. K. Hurst Co. for this post. However, any opinions expressed in the post are strictly my own. Always have been. Always will be.
Other lentil recipes you might enjoy from around the internet:
- Red Curry Lentils from Hurst’s Beans
- Lentil Soup with Sausage, Chard, and Garlic from Smitten Kitchen
- Vegetarian Greek Lentil Soup with Tomatoes, Spinach, and Feta from Kalyn’s Kitchen
- Smashed Lentils with Egg from The Kitchn
- Lentil Salad with Roasted Red Peppers, Parsley, and Almonds from Bev Cooks
- Slow Cooker Lentil Soup with Bacon from The Lemon Bowl
- Crockpot Lentil Soup with Kielbasa from Very Culinary
What I was up to…
- One year ago: Tuna Salad
- Two years ago: Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
- Three years ago: Cheesy Ham and Potato Bake
- Four years ago: Herbed Baked Eggs
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{ 81 comments… read them below or add one }
Not sure tonight but doing brisket tonight and baked bean tomorrow.
just printed this recipe, will be on our mealplan in the next couple of weeks! I don’t have anything on the mealplan for today, friday’s are always our “open” days. We will probably get a rotisserie chicken at sam’s or something similar! thanks for this great giveaway!
Love the name of your blog! I would love to win the Hurst bean pot :)
I am having my 2 year old granddaughter over for the weekend and she loves Hursts 15 bean soup. I would use this beautiful pot about once a week!
We love senate soup and other hurst bean recipes. I would use this pot all the time.
I would love to have this pot. Added your site to my favorites! Can’t wait to try some of your recipes
Attending a local college basketball game tonight with the family.
Hurst HamBeens 15 bean soup is one of my all time favorite crock pot recipes! Now, I want to start a pot for tomorrow!
My husband is taking me out for dinner tonight, since it’s been such a rough week at work this week. Oh, and I’ve already “liked” Hurst on FB (in fact, they are how I found your site, which I am now a fan of).
I’m going out for dinner. A friend has paid off her home, so she’s having a Burn the Mortgage party and paying for everyone’s food. :-)
I want to try your recipe!
Their 15 beaner is awesome. This weekend I am trying a new to me bean however…Cranberry Beans. Thanks so much for hosting the giveaway….love your blog.
Not sure about tonight but had 15 bean soup last night…maybe lentils this weekend.
I would soooo love to win this giveaway–with having the last name Hurst–it would make a great family heirloom for my kids–we do love Hurst Beans and winning this would be awesome :)
I’ve always heard that lentils are a great go-to bean….hearty and good for you. This recipe makes me think I should put on some soup for the weekend. I wasn’t aware that Hurst Beans were available with flavor packets. I really like that. Thanks for sharing with us!
Hurst Beans just equals a seriously huge YUMMMM! Thanks for the opportunity to try to win :)
The gumbo-soup looks delicious; I can’t wait to try it. I made a huge pot of chicken noodle soup for tonight’s supper!
Ham hocks and Hurst Beans sounds good about right now!
This weekend I am smoking up 2 full packer briskets, 6 pork shoulders and making up a big pot of my smokey beans. I use Hurst Great Northerns, my bbq sauce, burnt ends from my brisket and a few other spices. I could really use the ham pot. It would make it easier to keep my beans soft, moist and warm.
Hi everyone, Just a comment on the beautiful weather today in the Notheast. Gives me spring fever. Hope everyone had a great day
Beautiful weather also in SW Georgia. Tonight’s repast was ….. leftovers. A lovely repeat of spinach and ham quiche.
The gumbo soup looks fabulous.
Best wishes to all.
Miss P
I never heard of hambeens before, I’d love to try the cajun 15 bean soup.
Cajun 15 bean w/ smoked pork shoulder for tomorrow. Love them beans.
This soup looks wonderful. I will try it over the week-end.
Spending the day at the Regionals Wrestling Tournament tomorrow, wish I had the ingredients handy for the ham & bean soup, I would put it in the crockpot in the morning and have it ready for tomorrow night! i would love that bean pot!
I would love to prepare all your recipes especially the original 15 bean soup fixed with smoked sausage and some homemade cornbread. Great comfort food I will be preparing tomorrow nite. I would really love to prepare it in your lovely Hurst HamBeen’s Pot. Thanks for the opportunity to win such a fabulous prize.
I, too, make gumbo soup! I will throw in some lentils next time. Thanks.
We use the 15 bean mix in our ham and bean soup. love ‘em!
I’m a bachelor and while I cook for myself, I’m not going to do so tonight. No, I’m getting take-out from a locally owned and operated hamburger joint: the Pak-A-Burger. There are probably better burgers somewhere in the world, but I’ve never had them. These have grilled buns with real Texas beef patties and loads of diced onions…which should be a clue that I don’t have a date for tonight.
Your recipe for Lentil and Sausage Soup looks perfect for this time of the year!
Lentil gumbo! A perfect way to try a new soup recipe. I have the stuff. Now I need the time!
I’d like to be able to make homemade Boston Baked Beans. A crock sounds wonderful.
We are definitely a family of bean eaters here, we have at least one bean meal, if not more, per week. Would love to win the bean pot–I should own stock in Hurst by now, lol!
Love your recipe! I am hispanic and we really love our beans! Red beans and rice…any beans.
My mom had a bean pot when I was growing up, but I think we only used it as a cookie jar. I’d love to have my own.
That pot looks good! Lemme have it!
I am so in love with this clay pot. One of my favorites to make with Hurst’s Beans is split pea soup with ham hocks. Just made a big batch, last week. Yum! Next soup is a lentil soup. I love beans and Hurst’s are my favorite, although they are extremely hard to find at our local stores, now. :( You can follow my bean board on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/pammyjo8/beans-beans-by-the-quart/
Lentils seem to be everywhere lately! This recipe looks delicious!
Excited to see a gumbo-esque recipe! Sounds delish. We just enjoyed your lasagna recipe, with spinach added, for dinner tonight. It’s always a winner!
Well today is my husbands Birthday..our plans for celebration changed due to him not feeling well so it was Chicken corn chowder that my sweet neighbor brought over. ( Boy was it good ) . I did get him a Birthday cake and then my mother brought over banana pudding I think thats enough for one day. Although Lentil soup still sounds good..maybe if I win that bean pot I’ll make some.
We had baked salmon, greek yogurt parfait with fruit and pasta salad. Yum!
I have used that brand of various beans from time to time. Great product.
I live on the Gulf coast but love the Hurst Bean Pot and your recipe! Ham, cabbage, and pinto beans on the menu tonight!
We had lots of pasta a red sauce this weekend… lasagna AND spaghetti! :)
Wow, I am actually intrigued by the flavored lentils! Who woulda thought? Very cool! And I love lentils and this soup/gumbo sounds out of this world. Really such a great meal!
BBQ chicken & baked beans tonight :) YUM
I am making homemade egg rolls and a green salad tossed with a miso dressing. Wishing I had the ingredients for your gumbo soup, though! Looks delicious.
I’ve been eating lentil soup a lot lately, but had gotten away from making it myself; this may inspire me to go back to that.
I almost missed your post on FB for the giveaway. Glad I found it, and love your recipes. This is a great giveaway too.
Making Philly cheesesteak stuffed peppers for dinner tonight.
Love your recipes. We’ll make this for the weekend.
Wonderful recipe; thanks.
Tonight is pork chop night, but lentils are tempting.
Lana I just liked your fan page & am so excited! Looking forward to trying some of the recipes, too much Mexican food here in Texas- I’m a Georgia girl :)
I’m always on the lookout for legume recipes. They’re a great budget stretcher. Yours looks delicious.
I’m glad I found your blog–great recipe.
Tonight, we’re having Ma Po with rice.
I can smell the beans a-cookin.
I’m a new cook so we eat a lot of slow-cooker recipes. Soups and beans are favorites.
Hoping to spend some quality time with the family because Sunday is my birthday. YAY!!!! <3 :)
am a big fan of 15 bean soup but I always cook it on stovetop but now I’m going to try it in my slow cooker,it will be so much easier for me…
I hope to make some spicy black bean soup!
I am desperately trying to find the pinto beans in my hometown, but not having any luck. I want to try the “drunken beans” recipe I found on another website using your benas.
Beans and cornbread are a staple in our home! The bean pot would make a nice addition to my kitchen!
A bean pot would mean more economical meals for my family.
As the family cook, I try to have at least one day each week as a vegetarian day.
Beans are the mainstay of these meals
It’s the Hurst 15 Bean Soup (with extra ham added) as the week-end treat for my family!
I’ve never seen the Hurst brand–but I’ll ask my grocer.
I feel lucky to have found your site. Your soop recipe is slated for this weekend.
This soup looks delicious. I have never cooked with a bean pot. I love beans but I’m still looking for the perfect baked bean recipe. For some reason my kids love baked beans from a can but won’t eat mine. Hmph.
Wow, I would love to own that bean pot! Mine is too small!!
Soup warms up a cold winter’s day…
We are just discovering the wide world of beans. Your lentil soup looks delish.
Beans are great in your diet!
I wish Summer would hurry and get here! I will miss eating soup and drinking hot chocolate, but I will deal with that!
My toddler loves eating beans. Just a simple bean soup satisfies her. Thank you for this giveaway.
I’m amazed at the versatility of beans and lentils. A bean pot would expand our possibilities.
I made beef vegetable soup in the crockpot today :o) I have always wanted a bean pot. Fun contest; thanks!
Just finished dinner — it was a copykat recipe of Chile’s Monterey Chicken and a salad
I love the look of the Bean Pot! It reminds me of my Mother’s Bean Pot when I was a child. I am cooking 15 bean soup for dinner, but after seeing your Lentil and Gumbo recipe, I might change my mind, and make that! :-)
We’re having pasta primavera with pasta, smoked sausage, cannellini beans and additional fresh vegetables.