Savory French Lentil Stew with Spinach and Herbs
A hearty, nourishing French-inspired lentil stew simmered with fresh herbs and spinach for a warming vegetarian meal. This french (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs green French lentils, olive oil, yellow onion 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 green French lentils
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 1 large, diced carrot
- 1, diced celery stalk
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 fresh thyme sprigs
- 3 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach leaves
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup green French lentils under cold water and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion, 1 diced large carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk, sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 4: Add the rinsed lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 bay leaf, and 2 sprigs fresh thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Stir in 3 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until spinach wilts.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 tbsp lemon juice for brightness. Serve warm with crusty bread or over rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Savory French Lentil Stew with Spinach and Herbs 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 Savory French Lentil Stew with Spinach and Herbs?
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 green french lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Savory French Lentil Stew with Spinach and Herbs?
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 Savory French Lentil Stew with Spinach and Herbs 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 Savory French Lentil Stew with Spinach and Herbs vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Best lentil stew I've had. The recipe is spot on for French cuisine.
- ★★★★★
My family loved this stew. It's a healthy and flavorful dish that I'll make again.
- ★★★★★
Easy to make and so tasty! The herbs really elevated the dish.
