Looking for an easy, high-protein plant-based option? This Easy One Pot Vegan Lentil Stew Recipe (Hearty & Healthy) features wholesome ingredients, incredible flavor, and simple step-by-step instructions!
⚡ Quick Answer: Easy One Pot Vegan Lentil Stew (Hearty & Healthy)
Combine fresh wholesome ingredients, season generously, and follow the simple guide below for a delicious, healthy meal on the table in minutes!
🌱 Dietary: 100% Vegan & Plant-Based
⭐ Difficulty: Beginner Friendly
Introduction to Lentil Stew
Lentil stew is a hearty and nutritious vegan dish that brings together the earthy goodness of lentils and an array of colorful vegetables. This recipe is not only delicious but also simple to make, making it a perfect addition to your weekly meal rotation. You can pair this lentil stew vegan recipe with my Homemade Crusty Dutch Oven Bread Recipe.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Veggies & Lentils
- 1 cup dry brown lentils (soak in water for a few hours beforehand to help with digestion)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, cubed
- 4 medium carrots, cut into half moons
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 3-4 cups spinach, roughly chopped
Spices
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other Ingredients
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce (sub tamari for GF)
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (or maple syrup)
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
Cornstarch Slurry
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp cold water
You can watch my video here on Homemade Cornstarch Slurry Recipe here.
Helpful Tools To Make This Vegan Lentil Stew
To make your cooking experience of this vegan lentil stew smoother, gather these tools:
- Large pot
- Whisk
- Chopping board
- Chef’s knife
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
How To Make This Lentil Stew Vegan Recipe
Soak the lentils in water for a few hours ahead of time if desired. This aids in digestion. Drain and rinse the lentils thoroughly, and set aside.
In a large pot on medium heat, add olive oil, onion, and carrot. Sauté for 3-4 minutes.
Add in garlic, rosemary, thyme, and stir the spices for 1 minute.
Then add in tomato paste and stir to combine.
Add in vegetable broth, potatoes, lentils, soy sauce, dijon, brown sugar, and the bay leaf. Stir to combine.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Whisk together cornstarch slurry and cold water thoroughly and add directly into the stew. (If you want it to be thinner, add only half to start). Continue simmering for 3-4 minutes or until the stew has thickened.
Add in chopped spinach, and cook for another minute.
Remove the bay leaf, season with salt and pepper to taste.
Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
Follow these tips and tricks to achieve the perfect vegan lentil stew
- Experiment with additional spices like cumin or paprika for an extra flavor boost.
- Make a big batch and freeze individual portions for quick and convenient meals.
- Adjust the thickness of the stew by controlling the amount of cornstarch slurry added.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does this Easy One Pot Vegan Lentil Stew (Hearty & Healthy) stay fresh in the fridge?
Stored in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator, leftovers stay fresh and delicious for 4 to 5 days.
Can I make this ahead of time for meal prep?
Yes! This recipe is ideal for meal prep. Store components separately until serving for maximum freshness.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Check individual ingredient labels or substitute whole grains with gluten-free options to make it 100% gluten-free.
What can I serve alongside this dish?
Pairs wonderfully with a fresh garden salad, warm pita, roasted vegetables, or fluffy grain bowls!
Vegan Lentil Stew Recipe
Ingredients
Veggies & Lentils
- 1 cup dry brown lentils (soak in water for a few hours beforehand to help with digestion)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, cubed
- 4 medium carrots, cut into half moons
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 3-4 cups spinach, roughly chopped
Spices
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- salt and pepper to taste
Other Ingredients
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce (sub tamari for GF)
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (or maple syrup)
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
Cornstarch Slurry
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp cold water
Instructions
- Soak the lentils in water for a few hours ahead of time if desired. This aids in digestion. Drain and rinse the lentils thoroughly, and set aside.
- In a large pot on medium heat, add olive oil, onion, and carrot. Sauté for 3-4 minutes.
- Next, add in garlic, rosemary, thyme, and stir the spices for 1 minute. Then add in tomato paste and stir to combine.
- Now add in vegetable broth, potatoes, lentils, soy sauce, dijon, brown sugar, and the bay leaf. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Whisk together cornstarch and cold water thoroughly and add directly into the stew. (If you want it to be thinner, add only half to start). Continue simmering for 3-4 minutes or until the stew has thickened.
- Add in chopped spinach, and cook for another minute.
- Remove the bay leaf, season with salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy!
Yum! What a delicious and tasty lentil stew and I froze some so I can have more over the next couple of weeks. The recipe was super easy to follow and thickened up nicely. Beautiful flavour!!
So glad you enjoyed the lentil stew! Freezing leftovers is a great idea for quick meals later on. Thanks for trying the recipe!
This was a GREAT recipe! Loving the lentil series on YouTube!
Thank you! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe and the lentil series on YouTube. Appreciate your support!
Thank you this was perfect I think mine was looking to runny but after letting it simmer a little longer then you recommended it thickened up perfect ????
You’re welcome! I’m glad to hear that it turned out perfectly after a bit more simmering. Adjusting cooking times can make all the difference. Happy cooking!
Loved that this was one pot and made enough for my family dinner for a couple nights which is amazing. I will be making this again
Thanks so much for the feedback Loiseil! So happy you loved it!
This lentil stew was so tasty amazing flavor and super healthy. Froze some for later as well. Served with some nice bread ???? highly recommend
Thank you so much Brenda! I actually do the exact same thing. 🙂 I save some for later in the freezer and it’s so helpful for the busy nights when I don’t have time to cook. I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Great recipe! Thanks essy
Thank you so much! so glad you liked the recipe 🙂
Loved this plant based stew simply amazing! Froze some for next week ????
Thank you so much Tonya! I do the exact same thing! It’s so perfect to pull out of the freezer on a busy day when there’s no time to cook 🙂
Loved this stew!! Eating it all week and so delicious! I had some old veggies in the fridge that worked perfectly in this recipe
Thank you SO much!! It’s such a great clean out the fridge stew and it’s so flavorful! I’m so happy you liked it 🙂