Spiced Lentil Stew with Tomato and Cumin

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-11 · Updated 2026-05-11

A hearty and warming lentil stew infused with earthy cumin and fresh regional tomatoes, perfect for a comforting vegetarian meal. This Middle Eastern-inspired vegan recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 50 minutes, pairs brown lentils, olive oil, 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 brown lentils
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
• 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 medium, diced carrots
• 3 medium, chopped regional tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• for serving lemon wedges

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp smoked paprika; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 2 diced medium carrots and 3 chopped regional tomatoes to the pot, cooking for 5 minutes until the tomatoes start to break down.
3. Step 3: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth and add 1 cup rinsed brown lentils. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender and stew has thickened.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving. Serve with lemon wedges to squeeze over the stew for brightness.