Slow-Cooked Lentil Vegetable Stew
A hearty, comforting stew simmered to tender perfection with minimal ingredients and pantry staples. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs rinsed green lentils, vegetable broth, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, rinsed green lentils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1, diced onion
- 2, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Cook for 3 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup rinsed green lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1/2 tsp dried rosemary. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until lentils are tender.
- Step 4: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with crusty bread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lentil Vegetable Stew take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Slow-Cooked Lentil 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 rinsed green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lentil 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 Slow-Cooked Lentil 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 Slow-Cooked Lentil Vegetable Stew 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
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Perfect for a cold day, and the lentils were cooked to perfection.
- ★★★★★
This stew was absolutely delicious! My family loved it and it was so easy to make in the slow cooker.
- ★★★★☆
Tasted good, but took longer than the recipe said. Still a 4, but I'd adjust the time.
