Cumin-Lentil Stew with Sweet Potato
A hearty, plant-based stew featuring earthy lentils and sweet potatoes simmered in a fragrant cumin-spiced broth with tomatoes and carrots. This soup recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs brown lentils, sweet potato, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 342 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, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes sweet potato
- 3 medium, sliced into 1/4-inch coins carrots
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
Dutch ovens worth buying for low-and-slow cooking → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 large chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 tsp cumin seeds and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add 1 cup brown lentils, 2 medium diced sweet potatoes, and 3 sliced carrots. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes and 4 cups vegetable broth, bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook for 25 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.









