Harissa-Spiced Chickpea and Lentil Stew
A rich, aromatic North African stew with tender lentils, chickpeas, and a bold harissa kick, served with warm bread for scooping. This north african-inspired soups (vegetarian, gluten free) ready in about 50 minutes pairs dried lentils, (15 oz each) canned chickpeas, medium, diced tomatoes 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 dried lentils
- 2 cans (15 oz each) canned chickpeas
- 4 medium, diced tomatoes
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp harissa paste
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup, chopped 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 the onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in the lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, harissa paste, cumin, coriander, and salt. Pour in the vegetable broth, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 25-30 minutes until the lentils are tender and the stew thickens.
- Step 3: Stir in the parsley and remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with crusty bread for dipping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Harissa-Spiced Chickpea and Lentil Stew take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Harissa-Spiced Chickpea and Lentil 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 dried lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Harissa-Spiced Chickpea and Lentil 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 Harissa-Spiced Chickpea and Lentil Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Harissa-Spiced Chickpea and Lentil Stew vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
