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Home » Lentils with Winter Vegetables

Lentils with Winter Vegetables

January 24, 2022 by Debi 19 Comments

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When it’s cold outside, treat yourself to a healthy homemade vegetarian comfort food dish of Lentils with Winter Vegetables. This hearty lentil and wine glazed veggies stew is perfect for fancy holiday meals like Christmas Eve dinner. It’s also great as a traditional New Year’s Eve dish.

This high protein gluten free vegan dish is thick and satisfying with warm, earthy flavors from the lentils and the root vegetables. And what it lacks in looks, it more than makes up for in flavor and variety.

This is an easy to make dish of root vegetables with onions, carrots, and sweet potatoes, simmered in red wine and tomato paste, then tosses with earthy lentils.

A bowl filled with lentils and vegetables with a spoon in front of the serving bowl.

We appreciate your support

Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.

Can I make this ahead?

This vegan lentil dish can absolutely be made ahead. And, it may even be better the next day when the flavors of the wine, vegetables, and herbs have had a chance to meld.

You can reheat it on the stove, or in the microwave.

I also like it cold on top of a big salad.

Keep it in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 5-7 days.

What do lentils pair well with?


Lentils are one of my favorite high-protein vegan ingredients.

And they pair well with just about any veggie or herb.

In winter I like to pair them with root veggies, mushrooms, cauliflower, and cooked whole grains.

In the spring and summer, they go well with fresh greens, asparagus, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

How to cook lentils

Lentils are really easy to cook, and can be cooked in a variety of ways. I love these air fryer roasted lentils that can be cooked in the oven or the air fryer.

For this recipe, the lentils are cooked on the stove. They can be cooked in water or vegetable broth for even more flavor. Cooking the lentils takes about a half hour and is as simple as bringing some water to boil.

Are lentils a vegetable?

I’ve been asked if lentils are a vegetable?

The quick answer is, yes, lentils are a vegetable.
 
Lentils belong to a group of vegetables called “pulses” or “legumes”. This group includes beans, peas, kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), and lentils.
 
Legumes are typically low in fat, contain no cholesterol, and are high in folate, potassium, iron and magnesium.

close up on cooked lentils and vegeatble in a white bowl garnished with chopped basil.

Tips for cooking lentils

It’s important to buy the freshest lentils you can. Fresh lentils cook more quickly and won’t split their skins when they are cooked.

Pour the dried lentils in a colander, rinse them under cool tap water, and take a look at them to remove any hidden stones or tiny shriveled lentils.

If you have a sensitive digestive system, you may want to soak the lentils first. Soaking activates a compound called amylase that breaks down complex starch and makes them easier to digest. The soaking process also removes the gas and bloating-causing compounds from the lentils.

To soak, pour the uncooked lentils into a large bowl, cover with warm water by 2 inches, and stir in about 2 tablespoons acid such as lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and leave in a warm spot in the kitchen for about 4 hours or up to 12 hours. Drain the lentils and rinse well.

Want to boost their flavor even more? Add a few cloves of garlic or a spring of rosemary to the cooking liquid.

If lentils are cooked in too rapid of a boil, they can split their skins and get mushy. To avoid this, bring the pot just to a boil, then reduce the heat to low so that you see just a few bubbles in the water and some gentle movement in the lentils. They will plump up nicely without splitting their skins or becoming mushy.

And, finally, wait until the lentils are done cooking to add salt. If added at the beginning of cooking, the salt can make the lentils crunchy. Stir them into the lentils while still warm and they’ll absorb the flavor perfectly.

The other trick is to wait to add the salt or any acidic ingredients until the lentils are done cooking. These ingredients can cause the lentils to stay crunchy even when fully cooked. If you stir in the salt while the lentils are still warm, they will absorb just enough to taste fully seasoned.

What’s the best way to eat lentils?

Lentils lend themselves to so many lentil dishes. And, I find that they are a welcome vegan addition to many dinners.

Soups and stews are probably my favorite way to eat lentils. They’re the first way most people learn how delicious lentils are. Use them in lentil soup or tomato lentil soup.

They’re great in salads like my Farmer’s Market Salad and Spicy lentil and sweet potato salad.

Lentils are healthy vegetarian comfort food like my vegetarian shepherd’s pie and my Spinach Lentil Lasagna.

How to make this recipe

This vegan or vegetarian main dish is easy to make.

Be sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card for detailed ingredient amounts and instructions.

how to make this dish: cooked lentils and sliced onions.

Cook the lentils in vegetable broth, and set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet and add the onions. Cook until starting to caramelize.

making this lentil dish: cooking the veggies and lentils.

Add carrot, and rosemary, and sauté 10 minutes or until browned.

While vegetables cook, cook the sweet potato in the microwave until soft and cooked through. Chop the cooked sweet potato into bite sized pieces.

Stir in some of the salt, tomato paste, and garlic powder into cooked veggies, and heat through.

Stir in red wine, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil; cover with aluminum foil, and reduce heat. Simmer 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Add lentil mixture and cooked sweet potato, and cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat; discard bay leaf, and stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil, basil, and pepper.

Can I use something other than red wine?

Yes, you can substitute the red wine in this dish. A lot of the flavor comes from the wine, so know that you’ll be changing the flavors of the dish.

Red wine vinegar is a great substitution for red wine, as it shares a lot of the same flavors. So you don’t overpower the dish with vinegar, I’d suggest half red wine vinegar and half vegetable broth.

Of course, straight vegetable broth is always a great substitution. And if you eat meat, beef broth will work well in this dish (of course that means it’s no longer vegetarian or vegan).

Fruit juice will also work in this dish. Try pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, or grape juice. Note that using a juice will make the dish sweeter.

How to serve this dish


This recipe makes a great main dish for the vegans and vegetarians at your table. It also makes a wonderful side dish for the meat eaters.

It’s great over rice, either white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice.

Try serving it with some crusty bread and a bright green salad.

Sir in some spinach leaves after cooking so that they wilt and add some pretty color to the dish.

Drizzle a little balsamic vinegar over the top for a pretty presentation.

a white bowl filled with lentils and veggies in front of a cast iron skillet that the lentils were cooked in.

Holiday entertaining Christmas eve menu

I originally shared this recipe in 2014 as part of my Christmas Eve menu. The post was definitely in need of some updating. I added new pictures, information, and updates to the recipe for a better user experience.

I loved the menu, so I thought I’d share it here as well. This menu would work really well for any gathering, like a birthday celebration or any holiday family get-together.

Braised Beef with Balsamic Roasted Tomatoes, Maple Roasted Carrots, Chipotle Seasoned Rice, and these Christmas lentils. It wasn’t an all vegetarian Christmas dinner, but it satisfied both the meat eaters and the vegetarian!

Other winter lentil recipes you’ll love

Lentil artichoke stew and Lentil and sweet potato stew are both great budget-friendly meals that are full of nutritious lentils and vegetables.

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looking down into a cast iron skillet with lentils and sweet potatoes and a spoon, title on top of image: Lentils with wine glazed winter vegetables.

Recipe

square crop of a bowl of lentils and sweet potatoes with a fork.

Lentils with Winter Vegetables

Debi
When it's cold outside, treat yourself to a healthy homemade vegan comfort food dish of Lentils with Winter Vegetables.
5 from 5 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 292 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 ½ cups dried brown lentils
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon salt divided
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or oil of your choice divided use
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 1 red onion sliced
  • 1 cup diced carrot
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary divided use
  • 1 sweet potato
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2/3 cup dry red wine
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Combine vegetable broth, lentils, and bay leaf in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 25 minutes. Remove from heat, add ½ teaspoon salt, do NOT drain, and set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, swirling to coat pan. Add yellow onion and red onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 20 minutes. If onions start to cook too quickly, add about ¼ cup water to slow the cooking and allow caramelization. Add carrot, and rosemary, and sauté 10 minutes or until browned.
  • While vegetables cook, pierce sweet potato with a fork or knife several times, and place on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on high in the microwave about 5-10 minutes or until cooked through. Cut cooked sweet potato into about 1-inch dice. Set aside.
  • Stir ½ teaspoon salt, tomato paste, and garlic powder into cooked veggies, and heat through 1 minute. Stir in wine, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil; cover with aluminum foil, and reduce heat. Simmer 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add lentil mixture and cooked sweet potato, and cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat; discard bay leaf, and stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil, basil, and pepper.
  • Garnish with additional rosemary and basil if desired.

Notes

Adapted from Cooking Light
It should last about 5-7 days in the fridge, tightly covered.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 14gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 455mgPotassium: 740mgFiber: 17gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 8997IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 4mg

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

Keyword lentils, red wine, vegetarian, winter vegetables
Tried this recipe?Mention @LifeCurrents or tag #LifeCurrents!

lentils and vegetables in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon.
One of the original pictures from when I published this in 2014. I used a yellow fleshed sweet potato for this version. Both the yellow and the red are super tasty in this dish!

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Filed Under: Christmas, Main Dish, Side Dishes, Thanksgiving, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged With: basil, carrots, Christmas, Food, gluten-free, healthy, lentils, menu, recipe, rosemary, sweet potato, vegan, vegetarian

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about debi

ABOUT DEBI

Hello! I’m Debi, the girl behind Life Currents where I write about mainly healthy vegetarian dishes. My husband eats meat, so occasionally I share some of his dishes as well. And, I’ll share tasty treats and projects that we do. Read more...

Previous Post: « Winter Grain Bowl
Next Post: Tomato Lentil Soup »

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Comments

  1. Lovefoodies

    December 30, 2014 at 10:45 am

    Next year I will come to yours for Christmas Eve dinner. Everything looks so delicious! I made the lentils and they were so tasty and extra easy to make. Now I have to try all the rest of your holiday dinner.

  2. Culinary Flavors

    December 30, 2014 at 10:45 am

    Those lentils are so yummy, no wonder why everyone liked them! I made them as a side dish to my steak dinner. Great! Have a very happy and loving New Year Debi with many more of your culinary creations!

  3. Erica (@Erica's Recipes)

    December 30, 2014 at 10:50 am

    ahhhh I see, you slipped in red wine 🙂 I knew this dish looked amazing and with that depth from red wine I bet it is sooo rich and comforting. Seriously sounds so delicious Debi! I made the lentils but didn’t have red wine so I made it with white. Very delicious.

  4. Linda

    December 30, 2014 at 10:50 am

    Your lentil dish is wonderful, especially with the addition of red wine. It’s perfect for a special family dinner. It was easy to make too. Wishing a Happy New Year to you and your family, Debi. 🙂

  5. Susy

    December 30, 2014 at 11:19 am

    Wow!! Your lentils dish is one of the best dishes I’ve eaten in a long time. It is so amazing- wine makes THE difference in so many recipes!! Thanks so much for sharing it. Make sure to use a good red wine.

  6. mealplanmaven

    December 30, 2014 at 11:41 am

    My hubbie does not like lentils so I made your beautiful dish just for me and I thought it was amazing. The veggies were great!

  7. Serena

    December 30, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    What a wonderful meal! The lentils are gorgeous and are a wonderful meal in themselves. I didn’t try the rest of your menu, but intend to.

  8. Becca

    December 30, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    5 stars
    What a gorgeous dinner you had, Debi! And those lentils were a hit at my meal. The family loved the flavors!

  9. Angela

    December 30, 2014 at 8:33 pm

    Great roundup of recipes! So many fabulous ideas to ring in the new year with! Thanks for sharing this lentil recipe too. I was looking for a vegetarian dish to serve my guests and this was perfect. Tasty and easy!

  10. April J Harris

    December 31, 2014 at 2:47 am

    5 stars
    What a lovely selection of recipes, Debi! I’m glad you broke your rule and tried lots of new ones! Your Lentils with Winter Vegetables are perfect comfort food – warming, delicious and healthy too. I loved them and the red wine made they special.

  11. keciasflavorbreakthrough

    December 31, 2014 at 5:50 am

    What a fantastic menu! I love the maple carrots… so colorful and sweet… yum!

  12. christine

    December 31, 2014 at 6:09 am

    5 stars
    Well that sounds like quite a spread! Everything came out wonderful and that lentil dish is so hearty and warming, exactly what I want for a cold snowy day! My kiddo loved it (she’s turned vegetarian now). Great job.

  13. Sophia @ NY Foodgasm

    December 31, 2014 at 11:42 am

    OMG it all sounds soooooo amazing Debi!! Like a vegetarian making such damn fine meat! WOW! I love that you are cool doing that for your husband! I also LOOOOVE the lentils, so filling and so good! Great sub for meat! YUM!

  14. TOTS Family

    January 12, 2015 at 10:25 am

    I will be honest, I dont often cook with Lentils. So i wasnt sure what to expect. But this was delicious! yummy flavor.

  15. Nicole

    October 27, 2022 at 6:22 pm

    Can this dish be frozen?

  16. Debi

    October 28, 2022 at 5:39 am

    Nicole, yes, you should be able to freeze this lentil dish no problem. Allow the dish to cool completely before placing it in air tight container(s). Keep it in the freezer for a couple of months for best taste and texture. Though you could store it up to 6 months, but it may not taste as good after that long. When you’re ready to eat, place it in the fridge overnight to thaw. Enjoy!

  17. Sarah

    January 29, 2023 at 5:00 pm

    How long do you think this dish will stay good in the fridge?

  18. Debi

    January 30, 2023 at 6:55 am

    It should last about 5-7 days in the fridge, tightly covered. I’ll update the recipe card with this info as well. Thanks.

  19. Jules

    August 6, 2023 at 7:21 pm

    5 stars
    I love lentils and learned so much from this article. This is my kind of comfort food; it was easy to make & my whole family loved it. BTW, it doesn’t have to be served just for winter. It was great in the summer too!

5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Hi! I’m Debi, the girl behind Life Currents, where I write about mainly healthy vegetarian dishes with some great desserts and other goodies mixed in! Read More >>>

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