Hearty Lentil Vegetable Stew (Printable Version)
Rich lentils and vegetables meld in a savory, warming stew ideal for comforting meals.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Main Ingredients
01 - 1 1/2 cups dried brown lentils, rinsed
02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 large Yukon Gold potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
07 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
08 - 6 cups vegetable broth (low sodium preferred)
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1 bay leaf
14 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
15 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
16 - 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
02 - Stir in the minced garlic, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, and bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add lentils, diced tomatoes with their juice, vegetable broth, and cubed potato. Stir to combine.
04 - Bring contents to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 35 to 40 minutes. Stir occasionally until lentils and vegetables are tender.
05 - Remove bay leaf. Stir in chopped spinach and cook for 3 additional minutes until wilted. Adjust salt and black pepper to preference.
06 - Ladle stew into bowls and enjoy hot.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Easy to prepare with common vegetables and pantry staples
- Naturally vegan and protein rich for sustained energy
- Perfect make ahead dish for busy weeks
- Feeds a crowd and adapts to what's seasonal
02 -
- High in fiber and loaded with plant protein
- Budget friendly and uses accessible ingredients
- Stew thickens and flavors deepen with each day in the fridge
03 -
- I learned the hard way that letting aromatics sauté fully before adding lentils makes a world of difference in sweetness and complexity.
- Always check that lentils are fresh for best cooking times and texture.
- If the stew starts to get too thick during simmering do not hesitate to add a little extra broth to keep everything succulent.