By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 12
296 cal · 85 min
German Lentil Soup
Recipe GLPR8ca9b2b918c337
A hearty and satisfying German lentil soup enriched with smoked ham hocks and aromatic vegetables. This rustic one-pot soup combines tender lentils with carrots, celery, and onions in a savory broth, seasoned with bay leaf and thyme for depth of flavor. Perfect for a comforting meal that brings warmth and nourishment to the table.
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Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 stalks celery, trimmed and diced
1 medium onion, peeled and diced
1 pound dried lentils, rinsed
2 smoked ham hocks
8 cups water
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Directions
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the diced carrots, celery, and onion, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Pour in the water and add the rinsed lentils, smoked ham hocks, bay leaf, salt, and thyme. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for about 60-70 minutes, or until the lentils are very tender and the broth is rich and flavorful.
Remove the ham hocks from the soup using tongs or a slotted spoon. Once cooled slightly, shred any meat from the bones and return it to the pot, discarding the bones, skin, and fat.
Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and thyme as desired. Serve hot in bowls.
Comments
Every ingredient is a routine stop at any Charlotte grocer—carrots, celery, onions, and lentils are universally stocked, and ham hocks are standard at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, and Walmart butcher counters. The stated 85 minutes is honest for the simmering phase, though chopping vegetables adds 15 minutes upfront, bringing real prep to 100 minutes total, which is acceptable for a 12-serving batch. Cost per serving runs around $0.80 to $1.00, driven primarily by the ham hock (typically $3 to $4 per pound) and bulk lentils. This is a genuine comfort dish that reheats beautifully and improves over a day or two, making it ideal for meal prep and freezing.
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