One-Pot Spicy Beef Lentil (Printable)

Hearty blend of beef, lentils, and spices simmered in one pot for a flavorful, nourishing dish.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1.1 lb beef stew meat, cut into 0.8 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 - 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
10 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 tsp ground coriander
12 - 1/2 to 1 tsp chili flakes, adjust 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

# Directions:

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

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, so cleanup is as easy as the cooking.
  • The lentils soak up all the beefy, spicy broth and turn incredibly tender.
  • You can dial the heat up or down depending on your mood or who you are feeding.
  • It reheats beautifully and somehow tastes even better the next day.
02 -
  • Do not skip the browning step, that caramelization is where half the flavor comes from.
  • If the soup gets too thick as it sits, just add a splash of water or broth when you reheat it.
  • Taste before you serve, lentils can drink up salt so you might need more than you think.
03 -
  • Use a heavy bottomed pot or Dutch oven, it distributes heat evenly and prevents scorching.
  • If you have time, let the soup sit for ten minutes after cooking, the flavors settle and deepen.
  • A squeeze of lemon at the end wakes everything up, do not skip it if you have one around.
Return