Low-Maintenance Braided Lentil and Vegetable Stew
A hearty, easy-to-make lentil stew with vibrant vegetables inspired by effortless long haircuts that maintain beauty with minimal upkeep. This mediterranean-inspired vietnamese (vegan) ready in about 50 minutes pairs brown lentils, medium, diced carrot, diced celery stalk 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 brown lentils
- 1 medium, diced carrot
- 1, diced celery stalk
- 1 small, diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 small diced yellow onion, 1 diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk; sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; cook for 1 minute until spices are aromatic.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup brown lentils, 14 oz can diced tomatoes, and 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Step 4: Simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender and stew has thickened.
- Step 5: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Low-Maintenance Braided 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 Low-Maintenance Braided 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 brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Low-Maintenance Braided 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 Low-Maintenance Braided 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 Low-Maintenance Braided Lentil and Vegetable 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.
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