Northern Spice-Inspired Vegan Lentil Stew

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-04 · Updated 2026-05-04

A hearty vegan lentil stew infused with warming northern spices and root vegetables, perfect for cozy meals. This mediterranean-inspired vegan ready in about 65 minutes pairs Brown lentils, rinsed, Carrot, diced, Celery stalks, diced 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 Brown lentils, rinsed
• 1 large Carrot, diced
• 2 stalks Celery stalks, diced
• 1 medium Yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 4 cups Vegetable broth
• 1 cup Canned diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp Ground cumin
• 1 tsp Ground coriander
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp Dried thyme
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 medium chopped yellow onion, 1 large diced carrot, and 2 diced celery stalks, sautéing for 7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp dried thyme. Cook for 1 minute until the spices release their aroma.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed brown lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, and 1 cup canned diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 35-40 minutes until lentils are tender and stew thickens.
4. Step 4: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, stir well, and simmer another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and garnish with 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley before serving.