One-Pot Spicy Beef Lentil (Printable version)

Hearty blend of tender beef, lentils, and spices simmered together for a warming, satisfying dish.

# Needed ingredients:

→ Meats

01 - 1.1 lb beef stew meat, cut into ¾ inch cubes

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 medium carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with juices

→ Legumes

08 - 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1½ tsp ground cumin
10 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
11 - ½ tsp ground coriander
12 - ½ to 1 tsp chili flakes, adjusted to taste
13 - 1 tsp dried oregano
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Liquids

16 - 6 cups beef or vegetable broth
17 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Optional Garnishes

18 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
19 - Lemon wedges

# How to make it:

01 - Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add beef cubes and sear until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove beef and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add onion, carrots, celery, and red bell pepper. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until softened.
03 - Add minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground coriander, chili flakes, and dried oregano. Stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Return seared beef to the pot. Add diced tomatoes with juices, rinsed lentils, bay leaf, and broth. Stir to combine evenly.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 50 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender and lentils are cooked through.
06 - Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remove bay leaf.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley and a squeeze of lemon, if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, so cleanup is just one soapy scrub and youre done.
  • The lentils soak up all the beefy, spiced broth and turn creamy without any cream.
  • It tastes even better the next day, which means lunch is already handled.
  • You can dial the heat up or down without changing the soul of the soup.
02 -
  • Don't skip searing the beef, those caramelized edges add a depth you can't get any other way.
  • If the soup gets too thick as it sits, just add a splash of broth or water when you reheat it.
  • Taste before serving, the broth and tomatoes can vary in saltiness so adjust at the end.
03 -
  • If you want even more depth, deglaze the pot with a splash of red wine after searing the beef and let it cook down before adding the broth.
  • For a thicker soup, mash a few spoonfuls of the cooked lentils against the side of the pot and stir them back in.
  • Always add the lemon and fresh herbs at the very end, their brightness fades fast if you cook them in.
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