Dinner | Soup

Ham & Lentil Soup with Crispy Sage

Hearty, wholesome, and full of rustic flavor, this Ham & Lentil Soup with Crispy Sage is the kind of meal that comforts from the inside out. Slow-simmered lentils soak up the rich flavor of smoked ham, while a finishing touch of crispy sage adds an earthy, aromatic crunch. It’s the perfect bowl for chilly evenings, cozy gatherings, or nourishing leftovers throughout the week. Serve with crusty bread and a touch of mustard for a farmhouse-inspired supper worth lingering over.

October 17, 2025

By Kayley McCabe

Ingredients

1 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
4 large carrots, peeled and diced
4 celery stalks, diced
3 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced thinly
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
6 cups ham or chicken stock
1 cup dry brown lentils
1 ½ cups pre-cooked ham roast, cubed or shredded
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
4 tablespoons butter
¼ cup fresh Sage leaves

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium high heat.

2. Add the onion, celery, and carrots and sauté for 4-5 minutes or until onion becomes translucent.

3. Add the garlic and rosemary and sauté for another minute.

4. Add the ham or chicken stock and bring to a boil.

5. Reduce heat to medium and add in the lentils.

6. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lentils are very soft, 30-40 minutes.

7. Stir in the ham. Add salt and pepper to taste. Turn heat off.

8. Add the butter to a small pan and melt over medium high heat. Continue to cook until butter foams. Once the butter turns a golden brown color and develops a nutty aroma, add the Sage. Toss the Sage in the butter for 20 seconds, then remove pan from heat.

9. Serve soup in soup mugs with crispy sage leaves and a drizzle of browned butter to garnish.