Herb-Steeped Lentil and Vegetable Stew
A comforting French-inspired stew featuring tender lentils simmered with aromatic herbs and fresh vegetables, perfect for a wholesome vegetarian meal. This french-inspired vegetarian ready in about 50 minutes pairs green lentils, tablespoons olive oil, 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 green lentils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, diced carrot
- 1, diced celery stalk
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup green lentils under cold water and drain.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced carrot, 1 diced celery stalk, and 1 diced yellow onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and 1 bay leaf, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 4: Add the rinsed lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, and 2 tablespoons tomato paste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender and stew thickens.
- Step 5: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf and stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Steeped Lentil and Vegetable Stew take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 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 Herb-Steeped Lentil and Vegetable 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 green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Steeped Lentil and Vegetable 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 Herb-Steeped Lentil and Vegetable 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.
Is Herb-Steeped Lentil and Vegetable Stew 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.
