Lebanese Chickpea and Spinach Stew with Garlic and Lemon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-13 · Updated 2026-05-13

A hearty and fragrant chickpea stew simmered with fresh spinach, garlic, and a bright lemon finish, perfect for a comforting Middle Eastern meal. This Middle Eastern-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs canned chickpeas, fresh spinach, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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

• 2 cups, drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
• 5 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, finely diced onion
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp ground coriander, cooking for 1 minute until the spices bloom and become aromatic.
3. Step 3: Add 2 cups drained and rinsed canned chickpeas and 2 cups vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
4. Step 4: Add 5 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach to the pot, stirring until wilted into the stew, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Step 5: Season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and stir in 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice to brighten the dish.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving warm with crusty bread or rice.