Hearty Lentil Vegetable Stew (Printable)
A nourishing stew rich with lentils, seasonal vegetables, and flavorful herbs for a wholesome dining experience.
# What You'll Need:
→ Legumes
01 - 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 large onion, diced
04 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
05 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
09 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
10 - 4 cups vegetable broth
11 - 2 cups chopped fresh spinach or kale
→ Herbs & Seasonings
12 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - Salt, to taste
17 - Black pepper, to taste
→ Optional
18 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
19 - Chopped fresh parsley
# Directions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and bell pepper. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and diced zucchini. Sauté for 2 minutes.
03 - Add rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes with their juice, vegetable broth, dried thyme, oregano, bay leaf, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes until lentils and vegetables are tender.
05 - Remove bay leaf. Stir in chopped spinach or kale and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until greens are wilted.
06 - Adjust seasoning to preference. Serve hot, optionally garnished with a splash of lemon juice and chopped fresh parsley.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It turns pantry staples and whatever vegetables you have on hand into something deeply satisfying and warm.
- The lentils get creamy without any cream, and the broth soaks up all the smoky, herby flavors as it simmers.
- It tastes even better the next day, which means leftovers actually feel like a gift.
02 -
- Don't skip rinsing the lentils, I once forgot and ended up with a cloudy, gritty broth that no amount of skimming could fix.
- The bay leaf really does make a difference, even though it seems like a small thing, it adds a subtle woodsy note that rounds out the flavor.
- If your stew looks too thick after simmering, just add a splash more broth or water and stir it through.
03 -
- Taste the stew before serving and adjust the salt, sometimes it needs more than you think, especially if your broth is low sodium.
- The lemon juice at the end is the secret, it brightens everything and makes the flavors pop in a way that feels almost magical.
- If you're making this ahead, undercook the lentils slightly, they'll finish softening when you reheat.