Description
A hearty and flavorful Vegan Lentil Stew made with nutritious vegetables, brown lentils, and aromatic spices. This comforting stew is perfect for a wholesome meal, featuring tender sweet potatoes, fresh spinach, and a rich tomato base infused with Italian seasoning and smoked paprika.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Onion, diced
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 stalk Celery, diced
- 2 Carrots, diced
- 1 Sweet Potato, peeled and cubed
- 2 cups Fresh Spinach
- to taste Fresh Parsley, chopped
Spices and Herbs
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 2 Bay Leaves
Other Ingredients
- 15 ounces Canned Chopped Tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 1 can Brown Lentils, drained and rinsed
- 4 cups Vegetable Broth
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large heavy-bottom pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, minced garlic, diced celery, and diced carrots. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add Spices and Base Ingredients: Stir in the cubed sweet potato, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, tomato paste, crushed red pepper flakes, canned chopped tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are evenly coated and spices are well combined.
- Add Lentils and Broth: Add the drained and rinsed brown lentils to the pot along with 4 cups of vegetable broth, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and two bay leaves. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Simmer the Stew: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and allow the stew to simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. This will let the sweet potatoes cook through and the flavors to meld.
- Add Spinach: After simmering, add the fresh spinach leaves to the stew. Stir and cook uncovered for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaves from the stew. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve the stew hot garnished with freshly chopped parsley for added freshness and color.
Notes
- You can substitute brown lentils with green or black lentils, but cooking times may vary slightly.
- For a thicker stew, reduce the vegetable broth by 1 cup or mash some of the sweet potatoes after cooking.
- Add additional crushed red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicier stew.
- This stew can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Serve with crusty bread or over cooked rice for a more filling meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup/Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan
Keywords: Vegan Lentil Stew, Lentil Soup, Healthy Vegan Recipe, Easy Vegan Meal, Plant-Based Stew
