Butternut Squash Red Lentil Stew
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Published Feb 28, 2019, Updated Sep 28, 2022
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This butternut squash lentil stew features red lentils, coconut milk and a robust blend of spices. Recipe has instructions for the slow cooker or stovetop.
It’s the perfect time of year for this cozy stew. It feels like spring should be right around the corner, but my guess is that half of the U.S. is still covered in snow and doesn’t feel like spring is anywhere near. So for those of you battling cold temps and wanting a simple dinner that will warm you up from the inside out, this stew is for you.
This veggie-packed stew is inspired by my butternut squash and turkey chili, which is cooked in the Instant Pot. I LOVE this chili so much, but recently wanted to try a completely vegetarian version with extra red lentils and this was the result. It’s so warm, comforting and amazing filling for a vegetarian meal. I love the combo of red lentils with butternut squash, and the unique combo of spices in this soup make it so delicious. I can’t wait for you to try it!
I know cooking lentils can be a little intimidating, but this method could not be simpler. I’ll answer some FAQs below, but don’t hesitate to leave a comment if you have any additional questions!
Can You Put Dried Lentils in a Slow Cooker?
Yes! You can put dried, uncooked lentils in a slow cooker with liquid and they will cook through. For this recipe, you’ll put all of your ingredients for the stew in the slow cooker and it’ll work its magic.
Do You Have to Soak Lentils Before Slow Cooking?
Nope! Lentils are the one of the only dry beans that you don’t need to soak before cooking. You can soak them if you want to speed up the cooking process, but it’s not necessary. On thing to note: You should always rinse your lentils before cooking just to clean them off and remove any stones, debris or shriveled lentils. Once rinsed and sorted, drain and use as directed in the recipe.
Can You Overcook Lentils?
Yes, you can overcook lentils. It’s not as easy to notice with red lentils because they’re softer than green or brown lentils, but when lentils are overcooked they end up getting super soft and mushy. Follow the directions in this recipe to make sure you don’t end up with mushy lentils from overcooking.
How to make Vegetarian Slow Cooker Stew
The ingredient list for this recipe might look long and intimidating, but almost half of the ingredients are spices you probably already have in your spice cabinet, so don’t stress!
- Sauté: Start by sautéing the chopped onion and garlic in a saucepan (or your slow cooker if it’s stovetop safe!) and add in the spices. I love seasoning multiple layers of a dish – it makes for awesome flavor!
- Slow cook: Next, add your sautéed onion and garlic to the slow cooker along with the butternut squash, broth, tomatoes, coconut milk, lentils, tomato paste, and apple cider vinegar. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6. You’ll know it’s ready when the lentils and butternut squash are soft and cooked through. Feel free to taste test to make sure.
- Enjoy: Once the stew is cooked through, you’ll stir in your spinach (if using) and let it sit for a couple of minutes so the greens get a little wilted. Then it’s ready to serve! Enjoy on its own or serve over brown rice or quinoa if you’d like.
Love Lentils? Try These Other Tasty Lentil Recipes:
- Mediterranean Lentil Salad
- Kale Sweet Potato Lentil Salad
- Lentil Tuna Salad
- Roasted Garlic Lentil Soup
- Vegan Lentil Loaf
- Lentil Meatballs
Butternut Squash Red Lentil Stew
Ingredients
- 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 4 large garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper to taste
- 1 medium butternut squash peeled, seeded and chopped (about 5 cups)
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 – 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 – 14 oz can light coconut milk
- 1 cup dried red lentils rinsed
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2-3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 cups chopped spinach optional
- chopped cilantro and sliced green onions for garnish
- cooked brown rice or quinoa optional
Instructions
Slow Cooker:
- 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.
- 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.
- Add in spinach, stir and let stew sit for a couple minutes to allow the greens to wilt.
- 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:
- 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.
- Add butternut squash chunks, veggie broth, tomatoes, coconut milk, lentils, tomato paste and apple cider vinegar to the pot.
- 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.
- Add in spinach, stir and let stew sit for a couple minutes to allow the greens to wilt.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Add in spinach, stir and let stew sit for a couple minutes to allow the greens to wilt.
- 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was amazing! So comforting. This soup is hearty, warming, subtly sweet and subtly spicy. Everything I want in a winter soup. I will look forward to eating it cold for lunch tomorrow with a swirl or garlic yogurt and more fresh cilantro. Thank you!
Yum! I am pumped to hear that you are loving this recipe, Billie. Thank you so much for sharing your review & star rating, I so appreciate it.
I made this stew and it smells yummy. But why is mine so much thinner and chunkier than yours?
Hmmm, did your soup thicken up? I’m wondering if your lentils were fully cooked?
I had to cook it for a total of 4 hours in the slow cooker. thanks!
We really enjoyed this recipe. We used one large sweet potato and one acorn squash because the store didn’t have any butternut. And I substituted collard greens for the spinach. Delicious and we will make it again.
Excellent! This sounds absolutely delicious, Mary! I am glad to hear that you are loving this recipe, thank you for your review + star rating, I so appreciate it!
Absolutely delicious thank you
Quick question will it freeze? Thanks again
Yay! I am so glad that you are enjoying this recipe, Martha. I am not sure this would freeze well, unless you added in the lentils after thawing. I am afraid they would get too mushy and the texture of the soup would be off. Thank you so much for your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!