This Kielbasa Sausage Soup with Lentils is easy to make in the Instant Pot and has the perfect amount of spicy heat from Mexican chorizo. Warm and hearty, this quick and easy soup is perfect for any cold front.
Recipe | Difference between Kielbasa and Smoked Sausage | What are Lentils?
Ingredients
Kielbasa Sausage Rope
I’ve used a Kielbasa sausage for this recipe. It’s that long sort of U-shaped dinner sausage you’ll find in the cold cuts section.
While cutting this up today, my mom told me that I have loved this sausage since I was a toddler. She said I would stand next to her, waiting for her to give me a piece of the sausage as she was cutting it up. I’ve got to admit that I had a few pieces of it before putting it all in the soup today too. Still love it!
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These days, though, it’s Pepper the Super Dog who stands near the kitchen island, waiting for sliced sausage handouts. Don’t tell mom!
Adding Chorizo
If you’re unfamiliar with Mexican chorizo, it is usually available in both pork and beef varieties. It is uncooked and it needs to be fully cooked before eating.
Chorizo can be a little spicy. I’ve used only about ⅓ of a tube in this recipe but, if you want to add more spicy heat, use more, as you like.
What’s the difference between Kielbasa and Smoked Sausage?
There are lots of different sausage choices at our grocer, near the bacon and breakfast sausage. It’s pre-cooked so you don’t mix it up with breakfast sausage that you find in rolls and it requires cooking.
Kielbasa has a course texture and it’s usually heavy on the garlic. Yum! In the past, traditional Kielbasa may not have been smoked. These days, though, most all of it seems very close to the same, smoked and pre-cooked.
They all taste the same to me and can be interchanged easily.
Because most all of the Kielbasa and smoked sausage at big grocers is pre-cooked, you can eat it right out of the plastic, if you want. You can eat it in cold or hot dishes.
If you happen to be lucky enough to find some homemade Kielbasa, be sure to check the label or ask the ower. Sometimes Kielbasa sausage isn’t pre-cooked and you will need to adjust your cooking plans to make sure it cooks through.
Most sausage is made from pork, but you can also find beef varieties. Although not traditional, you’ll find that turkey smoked sausage is just as good as beef or pork. It’s a healthier alternative and we use it often.
What are Lentils?
Lentils are a legume, like beans. And, like beans, they are high in fiber and protein but low in fat. They’re a wonderful supplement to your diet and I’ve read that they’re great for your heart too! You can read more about the benefits of lentils at WebMD.
Be sure to save all the lentils recipes. They’re so good for you and you really can’t eat too much. In a pinch, it doesn’t hurt to have them by themselves with some sauce, or mix them with salsa.
You can even eat them cold, mixed in a salad. Quinoa is more trendy, but you could substitute cold cooked lentils instead.
What’s great about lentils is that you can use them in a soup that’s a little too thin. I know that a lot of people use instant potatoes to thicken up a soup but don’t forget lentils.
You can add about ½ cup to a pot of soup and it will thicken up in 15-25 mintues. And think of all that added protein! Tasty, and nutritious.
Cooking in the Instant Pot
I started out by sauteing the vegetables in olive oil, right there in the Instant Pot. That’s the beauty of the Instant Pot: you can cook everything in the same pot. It’s a beautiful thing.
It’s everything you know and love about one skillet meals, without all the fuss.
Once everything is ready, you’ll add the remaining ingredients and pressure cook for 15 minutes and then allow it to natural release. After that, open the lid and serve immediately.
I’ve chosen natural release to give all the flavors a chance to merge. If you can’t wait, you can do a quick release instead. Everything will be cooked by that time. Go ahead. I won’t tell.
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, have a look at this 6-Quart Instant Pot (aff link) which we use. We’ve had it for several years and it still works great.
Enjoy this delicious meal in a bowl garnished with green onion and grated Parmesan. Add some sour cream and saltines. It will warm you up in no time.
Can I cook this soup on the stove?
Yes, you can cook this sausage and lentils soup on the stove top. Saute the vegetables and other ingredients just like you would saute everything in the recipe card.
Once you add the stock or broth and lentils, you will bring to boil then lower the heat. Cover the pan and simmer about 15-20 minutes or so, to cook the lentils.
How long can I refrigerate?
As with most all dishes like this, you should eat it within 3-4 days. It’s really delicious and I don’t see that as a problem. ha!
The soup freezes well too so you can expect it to last about 6 months in an airtight container in the freezer.
Try More Instant Pot Recipes
Browse all our Instant Pot Recipes or choose one of these.
- Mexican Picadillo Instant Pot Recipe
- Steak and Mushrooms Soup Instant Pot Recipe
- Vegan Noodle Soup Instant Pot Recipe
Recipe
Instant Pot Kielbasa Sausage and Lentils Soup
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For more information, be sure to check the recipe details in the attached 24Bite® post.
Equipment
- 6-quart Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 2 Celery Stalks, chopped
- 2 Carrots, chopped
- 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 3 ounces Cacique Mexican Pork Chorizo
- 14 ounces Kielbasa, thinly sliced
- 32 ounces Beef Broth
- 14.5 ounces Canned Diced Tomatoes
- ½ cup Red Lentils
Instructions
- Chop and mince all vegetables as directed. Thinly slice kielbasa sausage into little circles.
- Press the Saute button on the Instant Pot to begin cooking in saute mode. Add olive oil. Add chopped onion, celery, carrots and garlic. Add oregano, salt and pepper. I usually start off with one teaspoon of each of salt and pepper and taste it at the end. Stir frequently until onions are fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- While still on Saute, stir in the chorizo until heated, about 1 minute. Add the Kielbasa slices and stir until heated, about 1 minute. Press the Cancel button on the Instant Pot to reset.
- Add beef broth, tomatoes and lentils. Stir. Check the Instant Pot lid to ensure the seal is in place and nothing is blocking the vent. Place lid on top and set lever to Sealing. Press the Manual button on the Instant Pot and set to high for 9 minutes, then natural release. The entire cook time will be about 25 minutes.
- Remove lid and serve.
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Notes
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. All amounts are estimates and 24Bite® takes no responsibility for actual figures since calculations vary by packaging and supplier. Please calculate the amounts yourself based on package labeling if you have specific dietary requirements. 24Bite®, Kim Guzman or Christian Guzman shall not be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or recommendations on this website or actions you take as a result.
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Carrie Robinson says
This would be so perfect on a chilly fall day! 🙂 Yum!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I really appreciate the “in-your-face” flavors in this soup. Too many times, soup is one note and boring. Not here! Kielbasa, chorizo and lentils are flavor powerhouses! This is a dish my husband will go nuts for.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
Such a hearty and flavourful soup! I can see this being a real winter warmer.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Soup season is almost here and love this recipe made in the Instant pot. I use my pot for almost everything and especially for soups.
Beth says
This looks so delicious! My family is going to love this recipe!