Best Healthy Lentil and Vegetable Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-31 · Updated 2026-03-31

A hearty, protein-packed stew with lentils, carrots, celery, and tomatoes, seasoned with warm spices and finished with a squeeze of lemon. This Middle Eastern-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs green lentils, carrots, celery 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 green lentils
• 2, diced carrots
• 2 stalks, diced celery
• 1, chopped onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 1, zested and juiced lemon

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, and 1/2 tsp turmeric. Cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed green lentils, 1 cup tomato puree, and 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until the lentils are tender.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh parsley and the juice of 1 lemon. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt/pepper if needed.
5. Step 5: Serve hot, optionally with a side of crusty bread or quinoa for added texture.