Spiced Amazonian-Inspired Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-29 · Updated 2026-05-29

A nourishing vegetarian stew combining earthy lentils and sweet potatoes with Amazonian warm spices for a comforting meal. This Latin American-inspired soup recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 50 minutes, pairs dry brown lentils, sweet potato, 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, rinsed dry brown lentils
• 1 large, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes sweet potato
• 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium chopped yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until the spices release their aroma.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed dry brown lentils, 1 large diced sweet potato, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices, and 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 30-35 minutes until lentils and sweet potatoes are tender.
4. Step 4: Season the stew with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp fresh lime juice. Stir well, then garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving.