Slow-Cooked Smoky Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew
A hearty, plant-based stew with earthy lentils, sweet potatoes, and a smoky tomato base. This vegetarian-inspired slow cooker (vegan) ready in about 60 minutes pairs rinsed brown lentils, medium, peeled and diced sweet potatoes, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 2 medium, peeled and diced sweet potatoes
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 cups, chopped kale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent (5 minutes), then add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in smoked paprika, cumin, and thyme, cooking for 30 seconds to release aromas.
- Step 3: Add lentils, sweet potatoes, diced tomatoes (with juice), and vegetable broth. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low heat for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils and potatoes are tender.
- Step 5: Stir in kale and cook uncovered for 5 minutes until kale wilts and brightens in color.
- Step 6: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Smoky Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 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 Slow-Cooked Smoky Lentil and Sweet Potato 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 brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Smoky Lentil and Sweet Potato 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 Smoky Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Smoky Lentil and Sweet Potato 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 40-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
