Street-Style Spiced Chickpea and Tomato Stew
A hearty vegetarian stew inspired by global street flavors, featuring tender chickpeas simmered in a spiced tomato base. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves 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
- 2 cups (about 1 can, drained and rinsed) canned chickpeas
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp chili powder to the onions. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 cups drained canned chickpeas, 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, and 1 cup vegetable broth. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the stew thickens and the flavors meld.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Street-Style Spiced Chickpea and Tomato Stew take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Street-Style Spiced Chickpea and Tomato 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Street-Style Spiced Chickpea and Tomato 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 Street-Style Spiced Chickpea and Tomato 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 Street-Style Spiced Chickpea and Tomato 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.