Vegan Lentil Stew

Vegan Lentil Stew

Nothing is better on a cold winter evening than a hearty comforting meal, and this Vegan Lentil Stew fits the bill perfectly. Serve with some gluten-free bread to make this the absolute perfect filling meal.

Lentils are one of my favorite meat substitutes, because of their nutritional complexity. Having them in a stew will help you and your family to stay satiated until your next meal with ease.

Now that schools are opened, I’m already thinking about fall and comfort dishes. I had a whirlwind summer, spending lots of time outdoors and now I’m ready for the cool fall, where the days are short and cozy meals are simmering on the stove.

When I think of stews, I think of my very popular Chickpea Stew and my delicious Jamaican Stew Peas recipes.

I was so privileged to have my brother and his family from London visiting us last week.  We did so many fun and memorable things together. The only sad thing is that my brother literally arrived the day after we dropped our daughter off at the university.

We had to drive 8 hours overnight after arriving the day before and helping our daughter get settled in her room. Then, we arrived home at 7 a.m the following day, dropped the rental car off, picked up a van, and headed to the airport another 2 hours away to pick my brother and his family up.

We got to visit Orlando and St. Augustine, and we ate in lots of lovely restaurants. During their entire stay, I only cooked twice. I had fairly decent meals at restaurants that had vegan options, but for restaurants without, I ended up eating plain baked potatoes and vegetables.

Are Lentils Good For You?

As I mentioned before, lentils have lots of nutritional value. They come in multiple varieties, all of which I love to use in quite various recipes, such as sauces, stews, meatballs, etc. Lentils are quite inexpensive and combined with their high protein content, they are a great meat substitute and staple food.

Along with their high protein content, lentils contain lots of fiber and substantial amounts of over a dozen essential vitamins and minerals. For example, many vegans and vegetarians have trouble obtaining enough iron in their diets, and a cup of lentils contains 37% of the recommended daily intake of iron.

They also contain 90% of the recommended daily intake of folate, an especially important vitamin in pregnant women’s diets, but of course also important for the general population. These, along with many other vitamins and minerals, are already a great reason to start adding lentils to your meal rotations.

The fiber content in lentils helps your digestive system to process your meals and pass them comfortably and helps foster the growth of healthy gut flora.

Are Lentils Gluten-Free?

Lentils are a legume, not a grain like wheat. This means that they are naturally gluten-free. However, in some products, there may be a possibility of cross-contamination. If you are severely sensitive to gluten or wheat, I would recommend purchasing lentils marked gluten-free and processed in a gluten-free facility.

What Is In Vegan Lentil Stew?

• Dried Lentils – You will notice there are a few varieties of lentils. For this recipe, you can use brown or green.
• Olive Oil – For sautéing, but you can use water if you would like this recipe to be oil-free.
• Onion, Garlic, and Celery – My favorite ingredients that are vital for flavor.
• Herbs and Spices – In this recipe, I use Italian seasoning, paprika, cumin, thyme, bay leaf, and cayenne pepper.
• Tomatoes – I use a combination of diced tomatoes and tomato paste.
• Carrots and Potatoes – I think these are everyone’s favorite additions to many soups and stews.
• Vegetable Broth – You can also use 6 cups of water and 6 vegan bouillon cubes.

How To Make Vegan Lentil Stew?

1. Heat oil or water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and cook for about 3 minutes, then add garlic and cook for another minute.
2. Stir in celery, Italian seasoning, paprika, cumin, thyme, and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add lentils, tomatoes, tomato paste, carrots and potatoes, bay leaf, and vegetable broth.
4. Bring to boil, reduce heat to simmer for about 40 minutes or until stew has reached the desired texture.
5. Remove bay leaf, season with salt and pepper, and serve

My Vegan Lentil Stew is very easy to make using everyday ingredients that are in most kitchens. You can use vegetable broth or water as the liquid, I have made it with both and the recipe tastes delicious. You can use either green or brown lentils.

Can Dogs Eat Lentils?

Lentils are perfectly fine for consumption by dogs, and some owners choose to add lentils (cooked plainly with no salt) to their dog’s diet. I also believe that they are sometimes found in dog kibble.

The protein, fiber, vitamin, and mineral content of these wonderful legumes are great for them as well, in moderation. PLEASE consult your veterinarian before adding them to your dog’s meals so that you can keep their diet balanced and healthy.

More Delicious Vegan Lentil Recipes:

• Lentil Meatballs
• Vegan Lentil Loaf
• Jamaican Lentil Patties
• Instant Pot Lentil Soup
• Lentil Curry Lettuce Cups
• Creamy Lentil Pasta
• One-Pot Taco Spaghetti

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