Easy Lentil Stew Recipe for Cozy Nights

There’s nothing better than a Lentil Stew Recipe to make you feel at home, especially on a chilly night. This easy recipe is a total lifesaver for busy weeknights when you need something hearty, healthy, and quick. It’s packed with good stuff like green lentils, carrots, potatoes, and fresh spinach, all cooked in one pot for a super simple and satisfying meal.

With fragrant spices like cumin and coriander, plus a little garlic and crushed tomatoes, this stew is loaded with rich, delicious flavor. Whether you’re in the mood for a plant-based dinner or just need something comforting, this lentil stew recipe has you covered!

Lentils are a super versatile and healthy ingredient that’s great for all kinds of recipes. Packed with protein, fiber, iron, and essential nutrients, they’re a perfect base in Healthy Recipes for Lentils that are both delicious and good for you. Think hearty soups, stews, refreshing salads, or veggie-packed curries—the options are endless.

They work well with all sorts of flavors, like earthy spices, fresh herbs, or tangy dressings, making them great for vegan, vegetarian, or any diet. Adding lentils to your meals is an easy way to enjoy tasty, wholesome dishes while boosting your overall health.

What ingredients do I need to make lentil stew?

To make a hearty and flavorful lentil stew, you will need the following ingredients:

• Vegetable Broth: Vegetable broth is a game-changer for a great lentil stew. It adds a rich, savory flavor that really brings out the natural earthiness of the lentils. It’s the perfect base with those hints of onion, carrot, and celery, plus it keeps the stew totally plant-based—ideal for vegans and vegetarians.

• Dry Green Lentils: Green lentils are a nutritional powerhouse with loads of health benefits. They’re a fantastic source of plant-based protein, perfect for vegetarians and vegans. Packed with fiber, they help keep digestion on track and can even support steady blood sugar levels. Plus, green lentils are loaded with key vitamins and minerals like folate, iron, and magnesium, which are great for energy, red blood cell production, and heart health.

• Carrots: Carrots are super nutritious and come with loads of health benefits. They’re packed with beta-carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A—great for keeping your vision sharp, your skin healthy, and your immune system strong. Loaded with antioxidants, carrots can help fight off free radicals and may even lower the risk of chronic diseases. Plus, their high fiber content is great for digestion and keeping your blood sugar steady.

• Potatoes: Potatoes are a tasty and nutritious addition to lentil stew, packed with health benefits. They’re a great source of carbs, giving you lasting energy and making the dish more satisfying. Loaded with vitamin C, potatoes help boost your immune system and support healthy skin through collagen production. They’re also high in potassium, which helps keep your blood pressure in check and supports muscle and nerve function.

• Ground Cumin: Ground cumin doesn’t just make lentil stew taste better—it’s packed with health perks too. It’s loaded with antioxidants that fight inflammation and protect your body from harmful free radicals. Plus, it helps with digestion by boosting the production of digestive enzymes, which pairs perfectly with the fiber in lentils. On top of that, cumin is a great source of iron, helping support healthy red blood cells and keeping your energy up.

• Ground Coriander: Ground coriander not only enhances the flavor of lentil stew with its warm, citrusy notes but also provides several health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants, which help combat free radicals and reduce inflammation in the body. Coriander is known to aid digestion, promoting a healthy gut and alleviating bloating or discomfort.

• Olive Oil: Olive oil is a key ingredient in lentil stew and comes with plenty of health perks. Packed with healthy monounsaturated fats, it can help reduce inflammation and support heart health. It’s also loaded with antioxidants like vitamin E and polyphenols, which protect your body from oxidative stress and boost your immune system.

• Onion: Onions are a super versatile ingredient that add both flavor and health benefits to lentil stew. Packed with antioxidants like quercetin, they can help reduce inflammation and support heart health. Plus, their prebiotic fibers are great for boosting healthy gut bacteria, improving digestion, and strengthening immunity.

• Garlic: Garlic is packed with nutrients and adds a ton of health benefits to lentil stew. It’s got allicin, a compound with strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory powers that can help boost your immune system and keep common illnesses at bay. Garlic is also great for your heart—it can improve cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure.

• Crushed Tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a great addition to lentil stew. They’re loaded with vitamin C to give your immune system a boost and lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that’s great for heart health and may even lower the risk of certain cancers. Plus, they’ve got potassium to help keep your blood pressure in check.

• Sea Salt: Sea salt is a fantastic addition to lentil stew, boosting the flavors and highlighting the natural taste of the ingredients. Unlike regular table salt, sea salt keeps trace minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, which can offer some health benefits. These minerals also add a nice depth to the stew’s flavor.

• Ground Black Pepper: Ground black pepper is a must-have in lentil stew, not just for its hint of spice but also for its health perks. It’s packed with piperine, a compound that helps your body absorb nutrients better, making the vitamins and minerals in your stew more effective. Plus, black pepper has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits that can support digestion and overall health.

• Fresh Baby Spinach: Baby spinach is packed with nutrients and adds a ton of health benefits to lentil stew. Loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, plus folate and iron, it helps boost your immune system, supports healthy vision, and aids in making red blood cells. The antioxidants in spinach fight oxidative stress, and its fiber is great for digestion and gut health.

Do I need to soak the dry green lentils before cooking?

Soaking dry green lentils before cooking is not necessary. Unlike some other legumes, green lentils have a relatively short cooking time and cook quickly without the need for soaking. However, rinsing them thoroughly under cold water before use is essential to remove any dirt or debris.

Are there Benefits of Soaking Lentils?

Soaking lentils before cooking isn’t strictly necessary, but it does have some great benefits. For one, it can lower the levels of anti-nutrients like phytic acid, which can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb minerals like iron and zinc. Soaking also makes lentils easier to digest by breaking down complex sugars that can cause gas or bloating.

Some people think it improves the texture, making the cooked lentils softer and more enjoyable to eat. While totally optional, soaking is a simple step that can boost both the nutrition and digestibility of your lentil dishes.

Healthy Lentil Recipes

• Easy Moroccan Lentils Recipe
• Mediterranean Lentil Salad
• Hearty Lentil Soup Recipe
• Lentil and Brown Rice Pilaf

Can I Substitute Any of the Ingredients?

Lentils are super versatile and can often be swapped out for other legumes or similar ingredients, depending on what you’re making. For instance, chickpeas or black beans work great in soups or stews if you want a heartier texture, while split peas are a solid choice for purées or dal recipes.

If you want a grain substitute, quinoa or rice can sometimes stand in for lentils in salads or side dishes. Just remember, cooking times and flavors can vary, so tweak the seasoning and prep as needed. The key is picking ingredients that work well with your dish for a tasty, balanced result.

Is this Lentil Stew Freezer-Friendly?

Lentil stew is a great meal to freeze for later. Just let it cool completely, then pop it into airtight containers or freezer bags, leaving a little space for it to expand as it freezes. It’ll stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to dig in, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it on the stove or in the microwave. If it’s a bit thick, just add a splash of water or broth. Freezing this dish keeps the flavor intact and makes it super handy for busy days!

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Instant Pot Lentil Stew Recipe

Yield: 8 Servings

Looking for a hearty and nutritious meal? This easy lentil stew recipe is perfect for busy nights!

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Ingredients

• 3 Cups Water
• 2 Cups Vegetable Broth
• 2 Cups Dry Lentils, soaked
• 3 Medium Carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 Medium Potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1 Teaspoon Ground Coriander
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 Small Onion, diced
• 4 Cloves Garlic, minced
• 15 Ounces Crushed Tomatoes
• ½ Teaspoon Sea Salt, or to taste
• ½ Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper, or to taste
• 8 Ounces Fresh Spinach, torn

Instructions

1. Add olive oil and onions to intant pot and sauté until the pot beeps. Add garlic and stir into onions.
2. Add water and broth to the instant pot and add lentils, carrots, and potatoes.
3. Put cooker on high pressure for 30 minutes.
4. After pot releases pressure, open top and add cumin, coriander, salt and pepper with crushed tomatoes and stir. Add spinach and stir until wilted.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 264Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 442mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 9gSugar: 5gProtein: 15g

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