Curry-Spiced Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew
A warming stew with earthy lentils, sweet potatoes, and a fragrant curry blend, perfect for chilly days. This global fusion-inspired vegetarian ready in about 42 minutes pairs chopped onion, minced ginger, curry powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 295 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 chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 2 cups diced sweet potato
- 1 cup dry green lentils
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chopped fresh spinach
- 2 lime wedges
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add 1 cup chopped onion and 1 tablespoon minced ginger, cooking for 4 minutes until onions are translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 teaspoons curry powder and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add 2 cups diced sweet potato and 1 cup dry green lentils. Pour in 4 cups broth and 1 can diced tomatoes, bringing to a boil.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until lentils and potatoes are tender. Stir in 2 cups chopped spinach until wilted, then serve with lime wedges on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Curry-Spiced Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew take to make?
Total time is about 42 minutes (12 min prep + 30 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 Curry-Spiced Lentil and Sweet Potato 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 chopped onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Curry-Spiced Lentil and Sweet Potato 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 Curry-Spiced Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Curry-Spiced Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew?
Global Fusion 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
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
