Stew with Spiced Lentils
A hearty stew blending Middle Eastern, Mexican, and Southern U.S. flavors for a comforting, nourishing meal. This multicultural-inspired soups ready in about 60 minutes pairs rinsed lentils, tomato puree, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 lentils
- 1/2 cup tomato puree
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup, shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup, uncooked rice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add lentils, tomato puree, cumin, and chili powder. Stir to coat, then add 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 25 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 3: Stir in coconut milk and cabbage. Cook for 10 minutes until cabbage is wilted.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, cook rice in a separate pot with 1 cup water according to package instructions. Fluff and fold into the stew. Serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stew with Spiced Lentils take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 Stew with Spiced Lentils?
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 rinsed lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stew with Spiced Lentils?
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 Stew with Spiced Lentils 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.
What goes well with Stew with Spiced Lentils?
Multicultural soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
