One-Pot Savory Beef and Lentil Stew
A hearty and wholesome stew combining tender beef, earthy lentils, and a rich vegetable broth, perfect for a comforting meal. This comfort food-inspired beef ready in about 75 minutes pairs beef stew meat, brown lentils, large, diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 lb beef stew meat
- 3/4 cup brown lentils
- 1 large, diced carrot
- 1, diced celery stalk
- 1 medium, chopped yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb beef stew meat cut into 1-inch cubes and brown on all sides for 5-6 minutes until caramelized, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 medium chopped yellow onion, 1 large diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until the tomato paste darkens slightly.
- Step 4: Return the beef to the pot along with 3/4 cup brown lentils, 4 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour until lentils are tender and beef is fork-tender, stirring occasionally.
- Step 6: Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed, and serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Savory Beef and Lentil Stew take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 One-Pot Savory Beef and Lentil 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 beef stew meat from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Savory Beef and Lentil 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 One-Pot Savory Beef and Lentil 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.
What goes well with One-Pot Savory Beef and Lentil Stew?
Comfort Food beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
