Braised Lentils with Spinach – the ultimate healthy, hearty quick weeknight meal. Vegan (without the yogurt) it will fill you up with out fat or lots of calories. Spiced with turmeric which is known for its healing properties.
Braised Lentils with Spinach
I’ve gone back and forth for a while on whether I should share this recipe with you all. It’s neither glamorous nor trendy, but it’s hearty, easy and I find myself making it at least twice a week. After several requests from Instagram friends , I decided to finally share it with you! 🙂 I find myself turning to this Braised Lentils with Spinach recipe so often when I want something warm and filling, yet healthy. Not only is it surprisingly tasty, but it’s incredibly healthy and vegan or vegetarian! The spices add just the right depth of flavor and I love topping off a piping hot bowl with a healthy dollop of greek yogurt – the coolness and creaminess are the perfect complement to the lentils.
Braised Lentils with Spinach
You may already know that lentils are one of my favorite (and most under-appreciated, in my opinion!) legumes. Not only is this recipe non-fat, low-calorie and high in protein, the turmeric has tremendous health benefits known for treating ailments ranging from arthritis, stomach problems, headaches, fibromyalgia and even skin conditions. And we all know that spinach gives you the muscles and strength of Popeye, so eat up! What I’m saying is, not only are these braised lentils tasty but they may be able to cure what ails you 😉
- Serves: 2
- Serving size: 1 cup (half recipe)
- Calories: 123
- Fat: 0
- Saturated fat: 0
- Unsaturated fat: 0
- Trans fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 26
- Protein: 12
- 1 10 ounce package frozen spinach
- ½ cup dried lentils (I prefer green)
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Water or optionally broth
- Greek yogurt (optional)
- Add the dried lentils into a non stick pan with a lid and cover with at least 2-3 cups of water.
- Add the spices and simmer, while covered for 20 minutes over medium heat. Check often to make sure there is still a lot of water inside.
- Uncover and add the frozen spinach directly to the pan - add additional water to cover.
- Cover and continue to simmer for another 15 minutes.
- Uncover, stir and continue to simmer until the water has completely evaporated (usually another 5-10 minutes). Season to taste with additional salt / pepper.
- Serve alone or topped with Greek yogurt.
This recipe is the king of all ratios…the most flavorful for its simplicity, the healthiest for its taste, and the most filling for its calories. I can’t get enough of it, in particular with the optional (fat free) Greek yogurt.
Thank you for the very well-thought out comment! It means a lot coming from you – someone who has a refined and sophisticated palette. ☺️
I have a full bottle of turmeric that I got for a recipe, and I’ve been looking for something else to use it in. This recipe sounds perfect. I’ll be making this for my family soon!
That sounds perfect, I really hope you liked it! 🙂
I love lentils! Lentil soup is one of my favorite things to make!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Great minds think alike! 😀
I honestly never tried lentils, it’s quiet hard to find here in my country n expensive.. However, i Gotta buy it online n try this recipe!
Endy, I had no idea! You could probably use chickpeas or another bean / legume in this recipe if it’s easier to find and cheaper 🙂
which country are you from? Try amazon
after a weekend of full-time gorging, this is exactly how i want to eat right now. looks wonderful!
Tannaz, hilarious! Totally agree, this is a great ‘detox’ meal. Very healthy and filling 🙂
This looks amazing. I love anything with spinach! Pinning this recipe to try on my family.
I also loved this when I saw it on Instagram. I can’t wait to try it – I know you prefer green lentils but it looks as if you used a chana daal for the photos. Do all lentils cook in the same time frame?
I eat lentils a lot, especially turkish ones and in soup with butternut squash and carrots. This recipe is a great alternative! Love the simplicity of it.
I like lentils, spinach and Greek Yogurt. I’ve never had all of them at the same time! 🙂 Your pics make the recipe look delicious. I think I may try it. I’ll add it to my collection to try later. Pinned
Thank you Lakisha, I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
This love this recipe. Your website is awesome!
Is fresh an spinach okay substitute? I know that the water content is different.