Slow Cooker Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 7 cups water
• 1 pound cooked , smoked lean ham, cut into chunks
• 1 can low-sodium diced tomatoes , 14.5 ounce
• 1.75 cups dried lentils , rinsed
• 8 ounces chopped onion
• 6 ounces sliced carrots
• 6 ounces chopped celery
• 5 cloves garlic , minced
• 0.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoons salt , Optional
• 0.5 teaspoons dried thyme , or more to taste
• 1 bay leaf

Instructions

1. 1

   Combine water, ham, tomatoes, lentils, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, pepper, salt, thyme, and bay leaf in a slow cooker.

2. 2

   Cover and cook on Low until lentils and vegetables are as soft as you like, 6 to 8 hours. Remove bay leaf before serving.