Looking for a comforting and nourishing meal that’s ready in a flash? Learn how to make this wholesome lazy vegan lentil stew recipe. It’s super easy to make so perfect if you’re feeling lazy but you still want to eat something healthy. If you’re ready to get cooking jump to the recipe now or keep reading to learn some fun facts about this dish and the ingredients. This stew is really healthy and hearty with brown lentils, potatoes, carrots, cauliflower and tomatoes to leave you feeling full and satiated. You can whip it up in less than 30 minutes with minimum effort. Let’s find out more.
How to Make Lazy Vegan Lentil Stew in under 30 minutes
This lentil stew is not only quick to prepare but also incredibly nutritious. You’ll need two types of lentilsโbrown and belugaโadding texture and depth to the dish. Carrots, red onion, and garlic bring sweetness and aroma, while potatoes and cauliflower make it hearty. Tomatoes add a touch of acidity, balanced perfectly with bay leaves for a hint of herbal flavour. Add a sprinkle of parsley and a dash of apple cider vinegar for a fresh finish.
I used a combination of brown and beluga lentils but you can use whichever type you prefer. The best kind of lentils to use in this recipe are any type that maintains their consistency and shape after cooking. If you want to use yellow or red lentils, it’ll sure taste great, but be aware that the consistency will be mushier because these kinds of lentils break down when cooked.
Easy Cooking Method – The Pressure Cooker
Cooking this stew is a breeze, thanks to the pressure cooker. Simply add the soaked lentils and chopped vegetables to the cooker, cover with water, and let the pressure cooker do its magic. In just 15 minutes of cooking time, you’ll have a rich and flavorful stew. Blend some of the carrots, tomatoes, and onions for a creamy texture, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
If you don’t have a pressure cooker then no worries, you can cook it on the stove top too. Just all all the ingredients to a big pot, cover and simmer. It’ll just take a little longer to cook. If you’re going to make it without the pressure cooker, add around 15 minutes more to the cooking time. Using a pressure cooker is convenient and quick, just chop all the ingredients up roughly, add them to the pressure cooking, and bring up to pressure for around 15 minutes.
I cook lentils in the pressure cooker regularly for convenience. Make sure you check the package instructions on the specific lentils. Some lentils need to be soaked beforehand, even if you are cooking them in the pressure cooker. Others don’t need soaking at all, just rinse them before using and give them a check for any debris or stones.
The health Benefits of Eating Lentils and Vegetables
โLentils are rich in dietary fiber, both the soluble and insoluble type, which has been shown to help reduce cholesterol levels and improve digestive health.โ
Harvard Health Blog
The health benefits of eating lentils are endless. They help keep you full and satisfied, making this stew a perfect meal for those looking to maintain a healthy diet. Lentils provide so much dietary fibre and lots of nutrients our bodies need. Eating lentils on a regular basis, at least once per week is advisable as part of a nutritious whole food plant-based diet.
The addition of carrots, tomatoes, and cauliflower ensures you’re getting plenty of antioxidants and vitamins in every bite, supporting overall health and wellbeing. Check out my other recipes using lentils such as this Rainbow Stew or these simple and healthy Savoury Lentil Pancakes.
Creative Variations for Your Lazy Vegan Lentil Stew
Looking to add a twist to your vegan lentil stew? There are countless delicious variations to explore! Here are just a few ideas to help bring out your creative inner chef.
Give your stew a Spanish Twist
For a vibrant Spanish-inspired stew, consider adding vegan chorizo and smoked paprika. The chorizo provides a hearty texture, while the smoked paprika infuses the dish with depth and a subtle smokiness that complements the lentils and vegetables beautifully. If using, you can add the chorizo along with the ingredients in the pressure cooker, or fry it up and add it at the end for a crunchier texture.
Add the smoked paprika directly to the pressure cooker along with the lentils and vegetables before cooking to allow the spice to infuse the stew as it cooks, for a well-rounded flavour. Alternatively, stir in a small amount of smoked paprika at the end, along with the salt and pepper. This can help enhance the smoky taste without overpowering the other flavours.
Mix up the Veggies in your vegan stew
I make many variations on this stew depending on the vegetables I have in the fridge that need eating up. Enhance the flavours and nutritional value of your stew by adding more vegetables or mix it up with different combos. Mushrooms can introduce a satisfying umami flavour, while fresh spinach or kale can be stirred in at the end of cooking for an extra boost of greens. Bell peppers are another excellent addition, contributing a fresh taste and vibrant colour.
Spice your stew up Up
Transform your stew by switching up the lentils or spices. Try curry powder or spices like cumin and coriander to create a warming, aromatic dish. These spices harmonize wonderfully with the natural earthiness of lentils, making for a comforting meal perfect for cosy evenings.
Serve vegan stew with Grains
For a heartier option, serve your lentil stew over grains like quinoa or brown rice. These grains add a nutty flavour as well as extra protein, making your stew even more filling. Note that this stew is already pretty filling so you may need to adjust the portion size down if eating it with grains. This is a great way to get a variety of nutrients and more dietary fibre into your diet.
Blend for Texture
In this recipe, I already show you my version where I cook a few of the carrots, half the onion and the tomatoes whole, then blend them into a puree. To enhance the stew’s texture even more and make it creamier, consider blending a larger portion of it. Pureeing a portion of the stew thickens it naturally while retaining chunky bits for contrast, offering a delightful mouthfeel with every bite. Be careful when blending the stew directly after cooking as it can splash and it will burn your skin.
Experimenting with these variations can make your stew more exciting and tailored to your taste preferences. Let me know in the comments if you make a variation of this recipe and what you did. I’d love to hear how it turned out and I’m always open to experimenting with new flavours and techniques.
Step-By-Step Guide: Making Stew in the Pressure Cooker
Check out the recipe video for this dish where I show you step-by-step how to make it. Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more inspirational recipes to help you make healthy and tasty plant-based food.
The Recipe: Vegan Lentil Stew
Find the written recipe below, or follow along with the video above or on YouTube. Please do let me know if you try it out by leaving a comment below.
Lazy Vegan Lentil Stew
Equipment
- 1 Pressure cooker If you don't have one, you can make this in a big pot just add approx. 15 mins more cooking time.
Ingredients
- 150 g brown lentils soaked for 2-4 hours
- 150 g beluga lentils rinsed
- 5 large carrots
- 1 red onion roughly chopped
- 4 garlic cloves roughly chopped
- ยฝ kg Russet or yellow potatoes approx. 8-10 medium
- 3 red tomatoes
- 1 small head of cauliflower broken into florets
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 to 3 liters of water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 bunch parsley chopped, to serve
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar to serve (optional)
Instructions
Drain and Rinse Lentils:
- Drain the brown lentils and rinse both types of lentils well.
Prepare Vegetables:
- Peel carrots; leave 2-3 whole and slice the rest into rings.
- Chop the onion and garlic roughly.
- Wash and scrub potatoes, then slice into similar-sized quarters.
- Break cauliflower into florets.
- Remove the stem ends from the tomatoes, keeping them whole.
Assemble in Pressure Cooker:
- Add lentils, carrots, onion, garlic, potatoes, tomatoes, cauliflower, and bay leaves to the pressure cooker.
- Add water to just cover the vegetables without exceeding the fill line. Remove excess vegetables if needed.
Cook the Stew:
- Secure the lid and set to medium pressure.
- Bring to pressure on high heat (5-7 mins), then reduce to medium and cook for 15 minutes.
Release Pressure:
- Remove from heat and cool under cold water until the pressure indicator drops.
Blend and Finish:
- Remove and discard bay leaves.
- Blend whole carrots, tomatoes, some onion, and a little liquid until smooth.
- Return the blend to the cooker and mix well.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Serve:
- Serve in bowls, topped with parsley and a dash of apple cider vinegar if desired.
0 Comments