Beef And Lentil Stew
A hearty and flavorful beef and lentil stew featuring tender meat, savory tomatoes, and vegetables, perfect for comforting family dinners and nutritious meals.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef or turkey
- 1/2 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 (4 oz.) can mushroom stems and pieces with juice ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can stewed tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 stalk celery, sliced ⓘ
- 1 large carrot, sliced ⓘ
- 1 cup uncooked lentils ⓘ
- 3 cups water ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons parsley ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon beef bouillon ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook and stir ground beef or turkey, chopped onion, and minced garlic in a Dutch oven until the meat is browned.
- Drain off excess fat.
- Stir in mushroom stems and pieces, stewed tomatoes, sliced celery, sliced carrot, lentils, water, bay leaf, parsley, salt, beef bouillon, and pepper.
- Heat the mixture to boiling.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender, about 40 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider browning the meat with some Worcestershire sauce. If you don't have lentils, split peas can be a suitable substitute. Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can enhance the taste. Adjust the seasoning to your preference, especially if using a low-sodium broth. You can also add some diced potatoes for extra heartiness, similar to what's found in American recipes.
Serving Suggestions
This Beef and Lentil Stew pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. For a comforting touch, serve it with a dollop of sour cream. It also goes well with roasted vegetables or a light green side like steamed broccoli. Consider serving with Easy Sour Cream And Shells for a delightful contrast in textures.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water if necessary to loosen the stew. You can also microwave individual portions, covering them to retain moisture, for about 2-3 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Beef And Lentil Stew contains roughly 679 calories, with 46g protein, 106g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (242% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (168% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 962mg per serving (42% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use dried lentils instead of canned?
Yes, you can use dried lentils, but you'll need to adjust the cooking time. Dried lentils usually take about 25-30 minutes to cook until tender. Be sure to rinse them before adding to the stew and increase the water to about 4 cups if needed.
What can I add for extra flavor?
You can enhance the stew's flavor by adding a splash of red wine or a tablespoon of soy sauce. Adding fresh herbs like thyme or bay leaves during cooking can also contribute depth. For a spicy kick, consider a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Is this stew freezer-friendly?
Yes, this stew freezes well! Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. It can be stored for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then heat on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).