Vegan Lentil Stew with Creamy Mashed Potatoes
A cozy, hearty vegan lentil stew served over creamy mashed potatoes. This version skips potatoes in the stew for a rich, thick texture—perfect comfort food.
Ingredients
For the Lentil Stew
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium carrots, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari)
- 1 cup dry green or brown lentils, rinsed
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ tsp black pepper
- to taste Salt
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)
For the Mashed Potatoes
- 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 3 tbsp vegan butter
- ¼ cup soy milk (adjust to desired texture) or up to 1/3 cup
- to taste Salt
Instructions
How to Make Vegan Lentil Stew with Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Start the Lentil Stew: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook another 5–6 minutes until slightly softened.
- Build Flavor: Stir in tomato paste, Dijon mustard, and soy sauce. Cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen flavor.
- Simmer the Stew: Add lentils, vegetable broth (start with 4 cups), thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until lentils are tender.
- Cook the Potatoes: While the stew simmers, add chopped potatoes to a separate pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15–20 minutes, until fork-tender. Drain and keep warm.
- Finish the Mashed Potatoes: Mash the potatoes while still hot. Add vegan butter and mix until melted. Slowly add warm soy milk (start with 1/4 cup) until creamy. Season generously with salt.
- Thicken the Stew: Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for 2–3 minutes. Remove about 1 cup of the stew, blend until smooth, then stir back in. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve: Spoon mashed potatoes into bowls. Ladle thick lentil stew over top. Finish with black pepper or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
The Secret to Creamy Stew
Blending part of the stew and stirring it back in is the ultimate secret to a rich, creamy texture without adding heavy cream. Mashed Potatoes
Keep mashed potatoes thick and creamy, not runny. This creates the perfect base for your stew. Make Ahead
This stew is great for meal prep and reheats beautifully. It will thicken in the fridge, so you might need to add a splash of broth or water when reheating. Nutritional information is approximate values and can vary significantly depending on the specific brands of ingredients used. Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and should not be considered professional nutritional advice.
Blending part of the stew and stirring it back in is the ultimate secret to a rich, creamy texture without adding heavy cream. Mashed Potatoes
Keep mashed potatoes thick and creamy, not runny. This creates the perfect base for your stew. Make Ahead
This stew is great for meal prep and reheats beautifully. It will thicken in the fridge, so you might need to add a splash of broth or water when reheating. Nutritional information is approximate values and can vary significantly depending on the specific brands of ingredients used. Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and should not be considered professional nutritional advice.
Nutrition
Serving: 500g | Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 850mg | Potassium: 1880mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 13577IU | Vitamin C: 58mg | Calcium: 168mg | Iron: 6mg
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