Low Fat Hearty Lentil Stew with Vegetables

Warm up with a comforting bowl of Low Fat Hearty Lentil Stew with Vegetables, a wholesome, plant-based dish packed with fiber, protein, and vibrant nutrients. Featuring tender green lentils simmered with an array of fresh vegetables like carrots, zucchini, celery, and red bell pepper, this recipe is seasoned to perfection with aromatic thyme, cumin, and a splash of bright lemon juice. With no heavy creams or added fats—just a touch of heart-healthy olive oil—this one-pot meal is both nourishing and light. Perfect for meal prep or a cozy family dinner, this easy-to-make stew comes together in under an hour and is ideal for those looking for a balanced, low-fat, and satisfying meal. Serve hot with crusty bread or over rice for a heartier option!

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup green lentils
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 15-ounce can canned diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils under cold water and set aside.

Step 2

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté for 5 minutes until soft.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic, carrots, celery, bell pepper, and zucchini to the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, rinsed lentils, bay leaf, thyme, and cumin.

Step 5

Increase the heat to high to bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.

Step 6

Simmer the stew for 30-35 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.

Step 7

Add the fresh spinach to the pot and cook for an additional 5 minutes until wilted.

Step 8

Season the stew with salt and black pepper to taste, remove the bay leaf, and stir in the lemon juice.

Step 9

Serve the stew hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2506.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1167.5

Total Fat 38.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.8g
Cholesterol 8.5mg	0%
Sodium 5480.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 168.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 52.0g	0%
Total Sugars 57.1g
Protein 48.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 604.5mg	0%
Iron 20.1mg	0%
Potassium 5350.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 28.5%

Protein: 16.1%

Carbs: 55.4%