Description
A comforting and nutritious Hearty Red Lentil Stew packed with vegetables and rich flavors, perfect for a cozy meal. This vegan recipe is simple to prepare on the stovetop or slow cooker, featuring red lentils, potatoes, kale, and a blend of herbs and spices.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 small russet potato, diced
- 1-2 stalks celery, sliced (optional)
- 4-5 crimini mushrooms, quartered or sliced (optional)
- 1-2 carrots, sliced
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 5-6 kale leaves, de-stemmed and chopped
Legumes & Grains
- 1 cup red lentils, uncooked
Liquids & Seasonings
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- ½ cup nutritional yeast
- 1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Add-Ins
- Broccoli, cauliflower, peas, cabbage, kohlrabi, corn, beans
- Smoked paprika, fresh herbs
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Heat 1 tablespoon medium-high heat oil in a deep skillet or medium/large pot. Sauté diced onion, chopped garlic, diced potato, sliced celery, mushrooms, and carrot over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
- Add lentils and liquids: Stir in the red lentils, vegetable broth, chopped tomato, and chopped kale. Make sure the liquid covers the lentils and vegetables by about half an inch; add water if needed.
- Simmer the stew: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil for 1-2 minutes, then reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer undisturbed for 30-40 minutes until lentils and tomatoes break down and vegetables are tender but intact.
- Finish and season: Stir in nutritional yeast, balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper to taste. Add any fresh herbs or optional spices at this stage for added flavor.
- Serve: Serve the stew hot, accompanied by toasted bread, crackers, or a fresh side salad. Enjoy your hearty vegan red lentil stew!
Notes
- Adjust consistency by chopping vegetables smaller for a thicker stew or adding extra broth to thin it out.
- Red lentils break down quickly, naturally thickening the stew; add more liquid for a soup-like texture.
- Stir frequently during cooking to prevent lentils and vegetables from sticking and burning on the bottom.
- Optional vegetables like broccoli or peas can be added for extra nutrition and flavor.
- You can prepare this stew in a slow cooker on low heat for 4 hours as an alternative cooking method.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
