Smoky Red Lentil Stew

Looking for a hearty and flavorful stew to warm you up on a chilly evening? Look no further than this delicious Smoky Red Lentil Stew. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also packed with protein with a smoky kick from smoked paprika.

Lentils are one of the first ingredients I reach for when wanting to come up with a hearty, vegetarian meal mainly because they’re packed with protein – super important for a vegetarian diet. I’ve been testing and making this stew for a few weeks now, and we can’t get enough! The creaminess you get from the cooked red lentils and the warm flavor from the smoked paprika are an incredible combo.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 yellow onion diced

3 stalks celery

3 carrots peeled and diced

1 cup shiitake mushrooms sliced

2 teaspoons kosher salt divided

3 cloves garlic minced

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons smoked paprika powder

1 teaspoon cumin powder

2 cups dried red lentils

6 cups vegetable broth (if the stew feels too thick after cooked, you can add additional broth or water to loosen it up to your preference)

1 cup greens of choice (kale, spinach, broccoli, Swiss chard), chopped

Optional toppings: greek yogurt sour cream, chives, green onions, hot sauce.