Love this recipe? Save it to Pinterest before you forget!
Why You'll Love This budget friendly one pot lentil and carrot stew with herbs for family meals
- Easy to Make: This recipe requires minimal effort and cleanup, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays.
- Affordable: The ingredients used in this recipe are incredibly affordable, making it accessible to everyone.
- Delicious: The combination of tender lentils, sweet carrots, and fragrant herbs is a match made in heaven.
- Customizable: You can customize this recipe to suit your tastes by adding your favorite herbs and spices.
- Perfect for Family Meals: This recipe makes a large batch, perfect for feeding your family or a crowd.
- Healthy: This recipe is packed with nutritious ingredients, making it a great option for a healthy meal.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare this recipe ahead of time, making it perfect for meal prep or planning ahead.
- Freezer-Friendly: This recipe freezes beautifully, making it a great option for meal prep or planning ahead.
Ingredient Breakdown
The key ingredients in this recipe are lentils, carrots, onions, garlic, and herbs. The lentils provide a boost of protein and fiber, while the carrots add natural sweetness. The onions and garlic add a depth of flavor, while the herbs add a fresh and fragrant touch. When selecting these ingredients, look for high-quality lentils that are free of debris and stones. For the carrots, choose ones that are firm and free of blemishes. For the onions and garlic, choose ones that are fresh and have no signs of sprouting. For the herbs, choose fresh ones that are fragrant and have no signs of wilting. You can substitute the herbs with your favorite ones, such as thyme or rosemary.
How to Make budget friendly one pot lentil and carrot stew with herbs for family meals
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pot over medium heat. You can use any type of oil you like, such as olive or coconut oil.
Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until they are softened and fragrant. This should take about 5 minutes.
Add the chopped carrots to the pot and sauté for another 5 minutes, or until they start to soften.
Add the lentils, broth, and diced tomatoes to the pot. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer the stew for 30-40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and the carrots are cooked through.
Season the stew with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs. You can also add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for extra flavor.
Tips for Perfect Results
The quality of your ingredients can make a big difference in the flavor and texture of your stew. Choose fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best results.
Lentils can become mushy and unappetizing if they are overcooked. Cook them until they are tender, but still retain some texture.
Aromatics like onions, garlic, and carrots add a depth of flavor to your stew. Saute them in oil before adding the lentils and broth for added flavor.
Herbs and spices can add a lot of flavor to your stew. Experiment with different combinations to find the one you like best.
To make this recipe a one-pot meal, simply add some crusty bread or crackers to the pot and cook until they are toasted and crispy.
This recipe freezes beautifully, making it a great option for meal prep or planning ahead. Simply portion out the stew into individual containers and freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat the stew, simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop until it's hot and steaming.
If you like a little heat in your stew, you can add some diced jalapenos or red pepper flakes to give it a spicy kick.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Not Rinsing the Lentils:
Fix: Make sure to rinse the lentils before cooking to remove any debris or impurities.
-
Overcooking the Carrots:
Fix: Cook the carrots until they are tender, but still retain some crunch. Overcooking can make them mushy and unappetizing.
-
Not Seasoning the Stew:
Fix: Season the stew with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs to bring out the flavors.
-
Not Using High-Quality Ingredients:
Fix: Choose fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor and texture.
Variations & Substitutions
To make this recipe vegan, simply replace the chicken broth with a vegan broth and omit any animal products.
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply replace the wheat-based broth with a gluten-free broth and omit any gluten-containing ingredients.
To make this recipe spicy, simply add some diced jalapenos or red pepper flakes to give it a spicy kick.
To make this recipe Mediterranean-style, simply add some feta cheese, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes to give it a Mediterranean twist.
To make this recipe Indian-style, simply add some curry powder, cumin, and coriander to give it an Indian twist.
To make this recipe Mexican-style, simply add some cumin, chili powder, and diced tomatoes to give it a Mexican twist.
Storage & Make-Ahead
This stew can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 hours. After that, it's best to refrigerate or freeze it to prevent bacterial growth.
This stew can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Simply portion it out into individual containers and refrigerate until ready to reheat.
This stew can be frozen for up to 3 months. Simply portion it out into individual containers, label, and freeze until ready to reheat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare this recipe up to 2 days in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving. The flavors actually improve as they meld together overnight.
Is this recipe vegan?
No, this recipe is not vegan as it contains chicken broth. However, you can easily make it vegan by replacing the chicken broth with a vegan broth and omitting any animal products.
Can I freeze this recipe?
Yes! This recipe freezes beautifully. Simply portion it out into individual containers, label, and freeze until ready to reheat. When you're ready to eat it, simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop until it's hot and steaming.
What type of lentils should I use?
You can use any type of lentil you like, but I recommend using green or brown lentils. They hold their shape well and have a slightly firmer texture than red lentils.
Can I add other ingredients to this recipe?
Yes! This recipe is very versatile, and you can add other ingredients to suit your tastes. Some ideas include diced bell peppers, chopped kale, or sliced mushrooms. Simply add them to the pot and adjust the cooking time as needed.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
No, this recipe is not gluten-free as it contains wheat-based broth. However, you can easily make it gluten-free by replacing the wheat-based broth with a gluten-free broth and omitting any gluten-containing ingredients.
Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes! This recipe can be made in a slow cooker. Simply brown the onions and garlic in a pan, then add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
budget friendly one pot lentil and carrot stew with herbs for family meals
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed and drained
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups vegetable broth, low sodium
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, low sodium
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat the oil in a large pot. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Add the garlic and cook. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the carrots and cook. Add the chopped carrots and cook for 5 minutes, until they start to soften.
- Step 4: Add the lentils, broth, and diced tomatoes. Add the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Step 5: Bring to a boil and simmer. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
- Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Step 7: Serve and garnish. Serve the stew hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and rosemary, if desired.
- Step 8: Store leftovers. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Recipe Notes
- Storage tip: Let the stew cool completely before refrigerating or freezing.
- Make ahead: The stew can be made up to a day in advance and refrigerated overnight.
- Substitution: You can substitute the green or brown lentils with red or yellow lentils, but they will have a slightly different texture.
- Pro tip: For a creamier stew, add 1-2 tablespoons of tomato paste or 1/4 cup of heavy cream or coconut cream.
- Variation: Add some heat to the stew by adding 1-2 teaspoons of diced jalapenos or red pepper flakes.
- Dietary restriction: This recipe is vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free, but make sure to check the ingredients of the vegetable broth and diced tomatoes for any allergens.
