Hearty Lentil Stew with Vegetables
Warm up your kitchen with this Hearty Lentil Stew with Vegetables, a wholesome and satisfying dish that’s packed with flavor and nutrients. This comforting stew features earthy green or brown lentils simmered in a fragrant vegetable broth alongside a colorful medley of carrots, celery, red bell peppers, and spinach. Seasoned with aromatic cumin, thyme, and a splash of lemon juice, the stew delivers a delightful balance of hearty and fresh flavors. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s ready in under an hour and makes six generous servings. Whether you’re looking for a plant-based dinner option, a great make-ahead meal, or simply a warming bowl of comfort, this lentil stew is sure to become a favorite. Ideal for gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian diets, it’s a healthy and delicious meal that the whole family will love.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 3 medium carrots, sliced
- 3 medium celery stalks, sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1.5 cups dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, with juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 whole bay leaf
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until transparent.
Add the minced garlic, sliced carrots, celery, and diced red bell pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
Stir in the rinsed lentils, followed by the vegetable broth and diced tomatoes with their juice.
Season with ground cumin, dried thyme, and add the bay leaf.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
Remove the bay leaf and stir in the baby spinach, allowing it to wilt.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir in the lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
Serve the stew hot, garnished with additional black pepper if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
240 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 7.2 g | 9% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.0 g | 5% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 942 mg | 41% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 36.2 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 10.1 g | 36% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.7 g | ||
| Protein | 11.1 g | 22% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 105 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 4.3 mg | 24% | |
| Potassium | 1006 mg | 21% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
