Paprika-Smoked Lentil Stew with Kale
Hearty, smoky lentils simmered with kale and spices create a deeply flavorful vegetarian meal. This vegetarian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 50 minutes pairs rinsed brown lentils, chicken broth, stemmed and chopped kale 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, rinsed brown lentils
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 oz, stemmed and chopped kale
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 1.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 diced medium carrots, 1.5 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, cooking for 1 minute until spices are aromatic.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed brown lentils and 4 cups chicken broth, bringing to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 25 minutes until lentils are tender but not mushy.
- Step 4: Stir in 4 oz chopped stemmed kale and cook uncovered for 5 minutes until kale is wilted and bright green.
- Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if needed. Serve hot with crusty bread for dipping.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Paprika-Smoked Lentil Stew with Kale take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Paprika-Smoked Lentil Stew with Kale?
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 rinsed brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Paprika-Smoked Lentil Stew with Kale?
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 Paprika-Smoked Lentil Stew with Kale 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 Paprika-Smoked Lentil Stew with Kale?
Vegetarian vegetarian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
