Name: Instant Pot Lentil and Ham Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup chopped onion; 1 cup chopped celery; 1 cup carrots, 1/4-inch slices; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1.5 cups diced cooked ham; 1 cup lentils; 0.5 teaspoon dried basil leaves; 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano; 0.25 teaspoon dried thyme; 4 cups chicken broth; 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce; 1 cup water; 1 small bay leaf; 1.25 teaspoons kosher salt; 0.5 teaspoon lemon juice; 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup carrots, cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cups diced cooked ham
1 cup lentils
teaspoon dried basil leaves
teaspoon dried oregano
teaspoon dried thyme
4 cups chicken broth
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup water
1 small bay leaf
1 teaspoons kosher salt
teaspoon lemon juice
teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Turn on your multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot) and select the Saut function. Add the olive oil and warm for a few minutes.
Add the chopped onion and celery to the pot. Saut for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Next, add the carrots and saut for an additional 4 minutes until they start to soften.
Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the garlic to become fragrant.
Stir in the diced ham, lentils, dried basil, dried oregano, and dried thyme, mixing everything together.
Pour in the chicken broth, tomato sauce, and water, and give everything a good stir. Add the bay leaf to the pot.
Close and lock the lid of your pressure cooker. Set the cooker to high pressure and adjust the timer to 8 minutes. Wait 10 to 15 minutes for the pressure to build.
Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release using the natural-release method according to the manufacturers instructions, which may take anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes.
Carefully remove the lid and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the kosher salt, lemon juice, and ground black pepper to taste.

Recipe Tip

You can substitute Himalayan salt for kosher salt if desired for a slightly different flavor profile.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Nutrition	Amount
Calories	157
Total Fat	6g (7% DV)
Saturated Fat	2g (8% DV)
Cholesterol	14mg (5% DV)
Sodium	1104mg (48% DV)
Total Carbohydrate	17g (6% DV)
Dietary Fiber	7g (25% DV)
Total Sugars	3g
Protein	10g (20% DV)
Vitamin C	12mg (14% DV)
Calcium	33mg (3% DV)
Iron	2mg (12% DV)
Potassium	424mg (9% DV)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Comments

Kim's Cooking Now

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

Made exactly as directed, and it was delicious! I made this earlier in the day, and left it in my Instant Pot until dinner time. When it was time to reheat, I turned my IP on saute for a few minutes, then switched to slow cook on high, and it reheated in about 10 minutes, while I boiled some ditalini pasta on the stove to add to it. Even though it was 90 degrees outside, my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed this! Will definitely make this again!

Lori L

01/29/2024 03:38:01 AM

I doubled the recipe to have leftovers to send home with friends and some to freeze. Not sure if it was necessary, but I soaked leftover dry red lentils and green lentils for 3 - 4 hours prior to adding to Instant Pot; the lentils doubled in size. I also added two small cut up yellow potatoes. Pleasantly surprised at the nice flavors and everyone liked it.

Ben Houseknecht

11/14/2019 08:26:44 PM

Tripled the recipe. Very good. I used ham steaks cut into cubes and put the bones into the soup during cooking. I found that the salt from the ham and the broth made the recipe not need the full amount of salt per recipe.

EDINAKECSE

01/03/2020 01:05:58 AM

Excellent recipe. I did not use my IP but made it over the stove (cooking time was not more than 20 min I would say). The soup was flavorful when it was done. After tasting it, I decided to add a half of lemon. Not just the juice but the actual lemon. That boosted the flavors. But it was a 5 before that as well. We will make it again :)

Motherheart

03/30/2020 05:55:34 PM

What a delicious soup! Because I had recently made split pea & ham soup, I decided to go with hot Italian turkey sausage. I browned the sausage with olive oil, then added the onions, carrots and celery and sauté until most of the liquid evaporated, then on with the rest of the recipe as written. Man o’ man, one of the best lentil soups I have ever made! It’s a definite keeper and it will be the only one I will make from now on.

ChirpyPop4626

12/28/2023 01:32:28 AM

I used a ham bone with 8 cups of water to make the stock first. I doubled the recipe and added two chicken bouillon cubes but didn't have any lemon. It was wonderful.

Linda Branch Finch

01/07/2024 11:22:36 PM

This a great recipe for leftover ham and dried lentils and beans. I used a combination of lentils, black beans and navy beans. Instead of chicken broth, I made bone broth using the ham bone I had leftover. It all turned out just yummy. Give it a try!

Sarah

11/25/2023 10:17:27 PM

Good basic recipe. I added a soup bone from my Honey baked ham, 1 Poblano pepper, 4 small tomatillos, dash of smoked paprika and a splash of red wine.

Mom of Kipper

11/27/2018 12:03:39 PM

I needed to use the left over Kirkland ham , and we love lentils. I used the Instant Pot. I also used red lentils. No oregano nor basil (didn't feel like going to snip!); I substituted some Ketchup for the tomato sauce. High pressure for 15 minutes; then let steam-release naturally for 15. This is yummy.

Rachel Henry

07/29/2024 02:55:26 AM

It was too salty, but there was so much flavor! I'm making it again but not adding salt and I'm halving the chicken broth and substituting water. I will see how it turns out like this, and I can always add more salt! So good, though.

Brenda

12/17/2019 03:21:28 AM

I made this recipe and it was delicious! Very easy to make, just add all ingredients into slow cooker and cook on high for 5 hours. The family loved it. I paired it with a salad and BraziBites (Brazilian rolls). Will definitely make it again.

PlushGum2415

11/06/2024 11:40:24 PM

Love it and so simple to make. Excellent weekday meal. !

Andrew Gomez

04/04/2024 11:47:13 PM

Made it twice already — still amazing.

Cynthia B

02/29/2024 03:13:23 AM

This was very good and flavorful. I made it exactly as stated. Next time I will reduce both the amount of salt and cook time as it was a bit too salty and soft for our taste.

S C

12/23/2023 11:34:59 PM

Easy to prepare and I loved it will have left overs for the week!

SteadySoup6399

11/28/2023 05:14:19 PM

very good made it for my brother and he loved it!!

borninthenorth

12/27/2022 11:45:32 PM

my husband said it was restaurant quality!!

Debbie Beasley

12/17/2022 03:57:50 AM

Delicious!

WobblyDuck9863

10/05/2022 03:36:01 AM

I made it according to directions without carrots (didn’t have any on hand). I ended up bringing it back up to pressure for a few more minutes to soften the lentils a little more, but other than that it was a perfect meal. I served it with brown rice and leftover cornbread. I cooked it in my IP Mini, and it filled it to the max line (however, it may explain the need for a little longer cook time.).