Simien Mountain Lentil and Vegetable Stew
A vibrant vegan stew inspired by Ethiopian highland flavors, featuring lentils, carrots, and fragrant spices. This african-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 50 minutes pairs brown lentils, medium (about 150g) carrots, diced, medium (about 100g) onion, chopped 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 brown lentils
- 2 medium (about 150g) carrots, diced
- 1 medium (about 100g) onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp berbere spice blend
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup brown lentils under cold water until clear and drain.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tbsp berbere spice blend and 1 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant and well combined.
- Step 5: Add the rinsed lentils, 2 diced medium carrots, and 3 cups vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender and stew thickens.
- Step 6: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley right before serving for a fresh finish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simien Mountain Lentil and Vegetable Stew 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 Simien Mountain Lentil and Vegetable 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 brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simien Mountain Lentil and Vegetable 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 Simien Mountain Lentil and Vegetable 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.
Is Simien Mountain Lentil and Vegetable Stew vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
