Moroccan-Spiced Lentil Stew with Preserved Lemons

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-07 · Updated 2026-04-07

A deeply aromatic slow-simmered lentil stew infused with authentic Moroccan spices, featuring preserved lemons for a tangy, traditional twist. This Moroccan-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, pairs brown lentils, onion, carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 (200g), rinsed brown lentils
• 1 large (150g), finely diced onion
• 1 medium (60g), diced carrot
• 1 stalk (30g), diced celery
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 4 cups (960ml) chicken broth
• 1, thinly sliced preserved lemon
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery, cooking for 8 minutes until softened and slightly golden.
2. Step 2: Stir in minced garlic, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed brown lentils and 4 cups chicken broth, then bring to a gentle boil.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender but not mushy.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1 thinly sliced preserved lemon and 1/2 tsp salt, then continue simmering uncovered for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed.
7. Step 7: Serve hot, garnished with extra cilantro and a small slice of preserved lemon for authenticity.