Hearty Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew
A nourishing vegan stew bursting with protein-rich lentils, naturally sweet sweet potatoes, and aromatic spices, simmered in a savory tomato broth. This international-inspired vegetarian (vegan) ready in about 45 minutes pairs rinsed brown lentils, can, with juices diced tomatoes, vegetable broth 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, rinsed brown lentils
- 2 medium, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes sweet potatoes
- 14 oz can, with juices diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and carrots, and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and slightly golden.
- Step 2: Add minced garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika to the pot, stirring constantly for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in rinsed lentils, diced sweet potatoes, diced tomatoes (with juices), vegetable broth, and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Step 4: Cover the pot and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring once halfway, until sweet potatoes are tender and lentils are cooked through.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaf, stir in fresh cilantro, and adjust salt to taste. Serve hot with a sprinkle of extra cilantro.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hearty Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (10 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 Hearty 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 rinsed brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hearty 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 Hearty Lentil and Sweet Potato 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 Hearty Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
