Description

A warm, hearty Beef Lentil Stew combining tender beef chunks, protein-rich lentils, and a variety of vegetables in a flavorful, slow-simmered broth. Perfect for chilly evenings, this one-pot meal offers balanced nutrition and comforting, rich flavors with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Lentils

1.5 lbs beef chuck or stew meat, cut into chunks
1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed

Vegetables and Aromatics

1 large onion, chopped
2–3 garlic cloves, minced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced

Liquids and Tomato

4 cups beef broth or stock
2 tbsp tomato paste (or 1 cup diced tomatoes)

Herbs and Spices

2 bay leaves
1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh thyme)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Cooking Essentials

2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef chunks in batches, browning all sides to lock in juices and build flavor. Remove the beef and set it aside once browned.
Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: In the same pot, add chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened and fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the meat for extra flavor.
Add Tomato Paste and Spices: Stir in tomato paste, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture cook for about two minutes to develop a rich, concentrated base.
Combine Beef, Lentils, and Broth: Return the browned beef to the pot, then add rinsed lentils and pour in beef broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
Simmer the Stew: Bring everything to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cover. Let it simmer gently for about an hour or until the beef is tender and lentils are cooked through, stirring occasionally.
Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Remove bay leaves, taste your stew, and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon if desired.

Notes

Use quality, well-marbled beef for richer flavor and tender results.
Don’t skip browning the beef and vegetables to add essential depth of flavor.
Rinse lentils thoroughly to remove dust and prevent bitterness.
Simmer slowly and gently to allow flavors to meld and beef to become tender.
Adjust lentil cooking time based on desired texture—add earlier for softer lentils, later for firmer texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: One-pot stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 550mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 3.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 9g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: Beef Lentil Stew, hearty stew, one-pot meal, slow simmer, gluten free, high protein, comfort food