All-Hearted Vegan Mushroom & Lentil Stew
A deeply flavorful, plant-based stew featuring all the earthy mushrooms and protein-rich lentils in a rich tomato broth. This vegetarian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 60 minutes pairs rinsed dried brown lentils, medium, finely diced onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, rinsed dried brown lentils
- 2 cups, sliced (cremini and shiitake) mixed mushrooms
- 2 medium, diced into 1/4-inch pieces carrots
- 2 stalks, diced into 1/4-inch pieces celery
- 1 medium, finely diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 (14 oz) can canned diced tomatoes
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; cook for 5 minutes until softened and onions are translucent.
- Step 2: Add mushrooms and garlic; cook for 3-4 minutes until mushrooms release moisture and begin to brown.
- Step 3: Stir in lentils, diced tomatoes (with juice), vegetable broth, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes until lentils are tender and broth has thickened slightly, stirring occasionally.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning. Simmer uncovered for 5 more minutes to deepen flavors before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does All-Hearted Vegan Mushroom & Lentil Stew take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover All-Hearted Vegan Mushroom & Lentil Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rinsed dried brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in All-Hearted Vegan Mushroom & Lentil Stew?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale All-Hearted Vegan Mushroom & Lentil Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with All-Hearted Vegan Mushroom & Lentil Stew?
Vegetarian vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
