Spiced Winter Vegetable and Lentil Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

A warming, hearty stew featuring root vegetables and lentils simmered with warming spices, ideal for cozy winter evenings. This Mediterranean-inspired Christmas recipe (vegan), ready in about 60 minutes, pairs dry brown lentils, carrots, parsnips for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 dry brown lentils
• 3 medium, diced carrots
• 2 medium, diced parsnips
• 1 large, finely chopped onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley

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 large finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until spices release their aroma.
3. Step 3: Add 3 diced medium carrots, 2 diced medium parsnips, and 1 cup dry brown lentils. Stir to combine with the spices and onion mixture.
4. Step 4: Pour in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes and 4 cups vegetable broth. Season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 35-40 minutes until lentils and vegetables are tender and stew has thickened.
5. Step 5: Adjust seasoning as needed. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley right before serving to add a fresh note.