Hidden Ace Spiced Lentils with Cumin

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-14 · Updated 2026-04-14

A hearty lentil dish where spices are folded into the lentils during cooking, creating a deeply aromatic, unassuming yet flavorful meal. This indian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 35 minutes pairs rinsed brown lentils, small, diced onion, cumin seeds for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 calories and feeds 3, 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
• 1 small, diced onion
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat, add 1 small diced onion, and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Add 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp coriander seeds, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Stir for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed brown lentils, 2 cups chicken broth, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until lentils are tender and broth is absorbed (spices will be fully incorporated and invisible).