Spiced Mediterranean Lentil Stew
A hearty, warming stew with lentils, root vegetables, and aromatic spices for a plant-based comfort dish. This mediterranean-inspired mediterranean (mediterranean, vegetarian) ready in about 70 minutes pairs (brown or red, rinsed) lentils, medium (diced) carrots, stalk (diced) celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 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 (brown or red, rinsed) lentils
- 2 medium (diced) carrots
- 1 stalk (diced) celery
- 1 medium (diced) onion
- 2 cloves (minced) garlic
- 2 (chopped) tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery for 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add lentils, tomatoes, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir to coat.
- Step 3: Pour in water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, until lentils are tender and the stew thickens.
- Step 4: Adjust seasoning, serve hot, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Mediterranean Lentil Stew take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (30 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 Spiced Mediterranean Lentil 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 medium (diced) carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Mediterranean Lentil 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 Spiced Mediterranean Lentil 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 Spiced Mediterranean Lentil 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
- ★★★★★
Love how the Mediterranean come through in every bite.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
