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Butternut Squash Red Lentil Stew
4.4 from 213 votes

Butternut Squash Red Lentil Stew

Butternut Squash Red Lentil Stew is a hearty, spiced dish featuring tender butternut squash and red lentils simmered in a fragrant broth with turmeric, cumin, chili powder, and other warm spices. Coconut milk adds creaminess, while spinach and fresh herbs brighten the stew. The method can use a slow cooker or stovetop, offering tender ingredients with a rich, comforting texture, served alone or over grains.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 281 kcal
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion diced, medium
  • 4 garlic minced, large cloves
  • 2 teaspoons Turmeric ground
  • 1 teaspoon cumin ground
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to taste, ground
  • 1 butternut squash peeled, seeded and chopped (about 5 cups, medium
  • 4 cups vegetable broth low-sodium
  • 1 diced tomatoes 14 oz can
  • 1 coconut milk light, 14 oz can
  • 1 cup red lentils rinsed, dried
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2-3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1-2 cups spinach optional, chopped
  • cilantro for garnish, chopped cilantro and sliced green onions
  • green onion for garnish, chopped cilantro and sliced green onions
  • brown rice optional, or quinoa, cooked

Instructions

Slow Cooker:
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  1. Add oil to a sauce pan or the base of your slow cooker (if it's stove-top safe) and sauté onion and garlic for 3-5 minutes. Add spices (turmeric, cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, sea salt and pepper) and cook for an additional minute.
  2. Combine sautéed veggies, butternut squash chunks, veggie broth, tomatoes, coconut milk, lentils, tomato paste and apple cider vinegar together in your slow cooker. Top with lid and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours, or until lentils and butternut squash are soft and cooked through.
  3. Add in spinach, stir and let stew sit for a couple minutes to allow the greens to wilt.
  4. Portion stew into bowls, top each bowl with fresh cilantro and green onions before serving. You can also serve the stew over brown rice or quinoa if you’d like.
Stovetop:
  1. Add oil to a large stockpot. Once hot, add onion and garlic and sauté for 3-5 minutes. Add spices (turmeric, cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, sea salt and pepper) and cook for an additional minute.
  2. Add butternut squash chunks, veggie broth, tomatoes, coconut milk, lentils, tomato paste and apple cider vinegar to the pot.
  3. Bring mixture to a boil. Once bubbling, reduce heat to medium and simmer the stew uncovered for about 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the butternut squash is fork-tender and the lentils are cooked, reduce heat to low.
  4. Add in spinach, stir and let stew sit for a couple minutes to allow the greens to wilt.
  5. Portion stew into bowls, top each bowl with fresh cilantro and green onions before serving. You can also serve the stew over brown rice or quinoa if you’d like.
Instant Pot:
  1. Add oil to the base of your Instant Pot and sauté onion and garlic for 3-5 minutes. Add spices (turmeric, cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, sea salt and pepper) and cook for an additional minute before pouring in vegetable broth.
  2. Add in butternut squash chunks, tomatoes, coconut milk, lentils, tomato paste and apple cider vinegar. Press Cancel, lock the lid in place and move the pressure valve to Sealing. Select Pressure Cook or Manual; make sure the pressure level is set to High. Set the cooking time for 8 minutes. When pressure cooking is complete, allow the pressure to reduce naturally for 5 minutes, then release the remaining steam by moving the pressure valve to Venting. Press Cancel, then carefully open the pot.
  3. Add in spinach, stir and let stew sit for a couple minutes to allow the greens to wilt.
  4. Portion stew into bowls, top each bowl with fresh cilantro and green onions before serving. You can also serve the stew over brown rice or quinoa if you’d like.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1/6 of recipe Calories 281kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 43g (14%) Protein 11g (22%) Fat 8g (12%) Fiber 8g (32%) Sugar 7g (14%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 281

% Daily Value*

Serving 1/6 of recipe
Calories 281kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 43g 14%
Protein 11g 22%
Fat 8g 12%
Fiber 8g 32%
Sugar 7g 14%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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