Spiced Tomato and Lentil Stew
A hearty, aromatic stew combining slow-cooked lentils, tomatoes, and warm spices. Perfect for a cozy meal or as a base for other dishes. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs dry lentils, medium, diced tomatoes, large, 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 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 dry lentils
- 4 medium, diced tomatoes
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, sauté 1 large diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves in 1 tbsp oil over medium heat until translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, and 1 tbsp grated ginger. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup dry lentils, 4 diced tomatoes, and 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 can coconut milk and cook for another 10 minutes until the stew thickens. Season with salt to taste. Serve hot with rice or crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Tomato and Lentil Stew take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 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 Tomato and 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 dry lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Tomato and 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 Tomato and Lentil 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 Spiced Tomato and 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
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
