Caramelized Onion and Brown Lentil Pilaf with Toasted Pine Nuts

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-14 · Updated 2026-04-14

A hearty vegetarian dish featuring tender brown lentils simmered with deeply caramelized onions, finished with a nutty crunch of toasted pine nuts and fresh herbs. This Mediterranean recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 60 minutes, pairs brown lentils, onion, chicken broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, 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 brown lentils
• 2 medium, finely diced onion
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup brown lentils, 2 medium finely diced onions, 2 cups chicken broth, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender and broth is absorbed, stirring occasionally.
2. Step 2: While lentils cook, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup pine nuts and toast for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
3. Step 3: Once lentils are cooked, remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Stir in the toasted pine nuts and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed.