French-Style Lentil and Mushroom Stew with Thyme
A hearty and earthy stew of green lentils and mushrooms slowly simmered with fresh thyme and vegetables, perfect for a comforting vegetarian meal. This french-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes pairs rinsed green lentils, sliced cremini mushrooms, medium, diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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, rinsed green lentils
- 8 oz, sliced cremini mushrooms
- 1 medium, diced carrot
- 1, diced celery stalk
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped for garnish fresh parsley
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 1 medium diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until vegetables soften and onions turn translucent.
- Step 2: Add 3 cloves minced garlic and 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms, cook for 4-5 minutes until mushrooms release moisture and begin to brown.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup rinsed green lentils, 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine and cook for 2 minutes until wine reduces slightly.
- Step 4: Add 4 cups vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender and stew thickens.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning if needed, and garnish stew with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does French-Style Lentil and Mushroom Stew with Thyme 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 French-Style Lentil and Mushroom Stew with Thyme?
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 green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in French-Style Lentil and Mushroom Stew with Thyme?
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 French-Style Lentil and Mushroom Stew with Thyme 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.
Is French-Style Lentil and Mushroom Stew with Thyme vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
