Elevate your lunch or dinner menu with this easy Instant Pot spicy sausage lentil soup recipe. This hearty, belly warming meal will satisfy your taste buds every time. Now add the Instant Pot, the kitchen superhero, and your preparation and cooking time makes meal time super easy.

The Instant Pot Magic

The beauty of Instant Pot cooking lies in its versatility, as this appliance has many benefits that aid in today’s fast-paced lifestyle.

Time-Saving Advantage

The Instant Pot’s efficiency equals the ultimate time-saving solution for creating homemade meals. This makes cooking at home possible on those busy days.

Flavorful Infusions

Now, let’s talk about flavor – the key to every dish. The Instant Pot not only shaves off cooking time but also works its magic on flavors, intensifying them to a whole new level. By sealing in all the aromas and tastes within the pot, the Instant Pot creates an environment where every ingredient melds together. This results in a mouth-watering dish. From rich soups to savory stews, the flavors that develop within the Instant Pot are exceptional, giving your meals a depth and complexity that would typically require hours of simmering on the stove.

Instant Pot 101

Always check that the silicone sealing ring is fitted properly into the Instant Pot lid.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and turn it clockwise until it is in the closed position.
Turn the steam release valve to the “sealing” position.
Press the “Manual” button and use the +/- buttons to set the time according to the recipe. Wait for 10 seconds, and the Instant Pot display will say “On,” and the cycle will begin.
The Instant Pot will take anywhere from 5-15 minutes to reach pressure. Once it reaches pressure, the float valve will pop up, the Instant Pot will beep once, and the cooking time will begin to count down from 5 minutes. You might notice hissing sounds and some steam escaping from the steam release valve or float valve hole while the pressure builds – this is normal.
Once the cooking time ends, the Instant Pot will beep a few times. It will switch to the keep warm mode, and the display will begin to count minutes up instead of down. During this time, you will know that the cook cycle has ended, and the numbers are now counting up because an “L” will be displayed before the numbers. The count-up timer is handy if you want to do a certain number of minutes of natural release.
At this time, you can either do a natural release (NR) or a quick release (QR) – follow the instructions in your recipe.
To do a natural release, just leave the Instant Pot alone for the amount of time indicated in your recipe. Once that time is up you can turn the steam release valve to the “venting” position.
To do a quick release. Carefully turn the steam release valve to the “venting” position to do a quick release. Use the handle of a long spoon to toggle the valve to keep your hand safe from the hot steam that will escape from the valve.
Carefully remove the Instant Pot lid when the float valve drops down. Open the lid away from you; it is very hot and steamy.

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Ingredients for Spicy Sausage Lentil Soup

Picture a steaming bowl of hearty Spicy Sausage Lentil Soup, ready to warm you up on a chilly weeknight. Here are the ingredients that make this one-pot wonder so flavorful and satisfying.

Key Ingredients

Italian Sausage: The spicy sausage is the star of this dish, bringing a punch of flavor and depth that sets this soup apart. As the sausage cooks, it infuses the broth with rich, savory notes that complement the earthy lentils perfectly.
Lentils: Lentils are not only a nutritional powerhouse but also add a pleasant heartiness to the soup. Packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, lentils turn this dish into a wholesome and filling meal. You can use green or red lentils or a combination of both, which is my favorite.
Kale: You can add some chopped kale when the soup is finished cooking. If you don’t have kale, try substituting spinach to add some greens. If you want to add a real punch of nutritional benefits, use stinging nettle leaves (ensure they have been blanched prior to adding them to disarm the “sting.” Read here to learn more about stinging nettles or try Stinging Nettle Soup.
Chicken Stock: Homemade is best. You can also use homemade chicken bouillon, nourish broth, or chicken broth.

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Substitutions and Variations

Vegetarian Twist: For a vegetarian version, swap the spicy sausage with plant-based sausage or add extra vegetables like mushrooms and bell peppers for a flavorful alternative.
Spice Level: Adjust the heat level by choosing mild or hot sausage, or experiment with adding red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
Herb Infusion: Elevate the flavor profile by incorporating herbs like thyme, rosemary, or bay leaves for a fragrant and aromatic twist.

Preparation Steps

Rinsing and Sorting Lentils: Ensure you thoroughly rinse the lentils to remove any impurities. Give them a quick sort to discard any debris that might have slipped in.
Italian Sausage: If the sausage you are using has casings, remove them as you will be browning the sausage meat.

Instant Pot Spicy Sausage Lentil Soup Cooking Process

Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and preheat for 2 minutes. Add the oil and Italian sausage. While the sausage cooks break it into smaller pieces using a meat separator. Continue cooking until the meat is browned.
Add the onion, celery and carrot. Cook for 4 -5 minutes. Once the vegetables have started to soften, stir in garlic and seasonings.
Next add the diced or stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, stock/broth and lentils. Stir to combine.
Check that the silicone sealing ring is fitted properly into the Instant Pot lid. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and turn it clockwise until it is in the closed position.
Using the manual button set the time to 10 minutes.
Once the ten minutes are up, do a natural release for 10 minutes.
After ten minutes, do a quick release, and once the pin drops carefully open the lid away from you.
Stir in kale/spinach/nettles if using.
Ladle into bowls and enjoy!

Serving and Enjoying the Soup

When it comes to serving and enjoying a comforting bowl of Spicy Sausage Lentil Soup from your Instant Pot, the experience can be elevated with the right garnishes and pairings. Sprinkling some freshly chopped parsley on top of your bowl of soup can add a burst of freshness and color, enhancing the overall presentation and flavor profile.

Serve it with a slice of crusty bread. There’s nothing quite like dipping a warm slice of crusty bread into a hearty bowl of soup. Whether it’s a rustic loaf or a piece of sourdough, the crunchy texture of the bread complements the soup’s rich and savory broth, creating a satisfying combination that is perfect for a cozy meal.

This recipe makes a large batch of soup. It freezes very well. I use the 2 cup freezer cubes to freeze any left overs. These are great to have on hand for a quick meal.

Creating this flavorful one-pot Spicy Sausage Lentil Soup in your Instant Pot is like adding a pinch of magic to your busy weeknights. The blend of spices, hearty lentils, and savory sausage creates a dish that warms the body. It’s the perfect remedy for those hectic days when time is short, but the flavor is non-negotiable.

If you try this recipe and love it, please tag me on Instagram @grindinggearsfarmstead.

Happy cooking, happy sharing, and may your kitchen always be filled with laughter and love.