Smith's Simple Lentil & Root Vegetable Stew
A hearty, budget-friendly stew featuring earthy lentils and seasonal root vegetables, inspired by America's most common surname. This comfort food-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes pairs brown lentils, medium carrots, medium parsnips 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 brown lentils
- 2 medium carrots
- 2 medium parsnips
- 1 large onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Dice 2 medium carrots and 2 medium parsnips into 1/2-inch cubes, then finely chop 1 large onion and 3 garlic cloves. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, add onions and garlic, and sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup brown lentils, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes until lentils and vegetables are tender.
- Step 3: Remove the lid and continue simmering uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken slightly, stirring occasionally until the stew coats the back of a spoon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smith's Simple Lentil & Root Vegetable 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 Smith's Simple Lentil & Root 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 Smith's Simple Lentil & Root 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 Smith's Simple Lentil & Root 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 Smith's Simple Lentil & Root 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
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
