Turmeric-Spiced Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew
A hearty, warming stew combining earthy sweet potatoes, protein-rich lentils, and aromatic turmeric, finished with a splash of coconut milk for richness. This indian-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 70 minutes pairs (1 lb each), diced sweet potatoes, rinsed red lentils, turmeric powder 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
- 2 (1 lb each), diced sweet potatoes
- 1 cup, rinsed red lentils
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup, chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger for 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Add sweet potatoes, turmeric, and lentils, stirring to coat.
- Step 2: Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until lentils and sweet potatoes are tender. Stir in coconut milk and simmer 5 minutes longer.
- Step 3: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, then serve garnished with chopped cilantro and a drizzle of olive oil.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Turmeric-Spiced Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 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 Turmeric-Spiced Lentil and Sweet Potato 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 rinsed red lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Turmeric-Spiced Lentil and Sweet Potato 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 Turmeric-Spiced Lentil and Sweet Potato 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 Turmeric-Spiced Lentil and Sweet Potato 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
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
