Vegetarian Lentil Stew (Print Version)

Hearty lentils simmered with vegetables in aromatic broth for a comforting, protein-rich meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Legumes

01 - 1½ cups dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
02 - 4 cups vegetable broth

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1 large onion, diced
05 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
06 - 2 celery stalks, diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 medium potato, peeled and cubed
10 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
11 - 2 cups chopped spinach or kale

→ Spices & Seasonings

12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
15 - 1 bay leaf
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Optional Garnish

17 - Fresh parsley, chopped
18 - Lemon wedges

# How To Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add potatoes, lentils, diced tomatoes with juice, cumin, smoked paprika, thyme, bay leaf, and vegetable broth. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils and potatoes are tender.
05 - Remove bay leaf. Stir in spinach or kale and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until wilted.
06 - Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust consistency by adding extra broth or water if desired.
07 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The texture sits perfectly between soup and stew, creating that rare dish that feels both light and hearty simultaneously.
  • Its astonishingly versatile, allowing you to clean out your vegetable drawer while still maintaining its soul-warming character.
02 -
  • Adding salt too early can make lentils tough, so I always wait until theyre fully tender before seasoning.
  • The stew actually tastes better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld, making it perfect for meal prep or deliberate leftovers.
03 -
  • For deeper flavor development, deglaze the pot with a splash of dry white wine after sautéing the vegetables, allowing it to reduce completely before adding the broth.
  • A pressure cooker cuts the cooking time dramatically to about 10 minutes at high pressure with a natural release, perfect for weeknight dinners.
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