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Home » Recipes » Dinner

Lentil Stew with Harissa (vegan, slow cooker or stovetop)

Published: Nov 11, 2019 by Kate Hackworthy · 15 Comments

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pinnable image for vegan lentil stew
pinnable image for Slow Cooker Lentil Stew recipe

This slow cooker or stovetop Lentil Stew will warm you up on cold evenings. It's easy, hearty and bursting with vegetables and great taste. Optional harissa paste gives a lovely depth of warm flavor. Vegan and gluten-free.

a bowl of lentil stew with kale and harissa (spice paste), on a vintage plate with grey napkin

Slow Cooker Lentil Stew

(NOTE: Stovetop method also given below)

I love a good warming stew. When the weather draws in and the nights get shorter, I crave it.

I want big bowls of hot vegetables, thick with their own sauce.

And I want gently spiced one-pot dishes. I want to be warmed from the inside out.

That's where this slow cooker lentil stew comes in. You could substitute many vegetables so it's a great way to reduce food waste and use up your vegetable box.

The cumin and harissa paste enliven the vegetables and pack this simple vegan slow cooker casserole to full of aromatic flavours.

It's nourishing, filling and fragrant.

Perfect on its own or mopped up with fresh bread. Try my easy flatbread or kale herb soda bread.

side view of a bowl filled with hearty Lentil Stew, with kale.

Slow Cooker Stews

Using a slow cooker (crock pot) means you can add the ingredients in the morning, and return from work to the air in the house dancing with spice.

It's such a flexible and stress-free way to prepare a meal!

Plus, I love how a slow cooker makes like so easy. You can ignore it all day while it makes everything extra delicious.

I love it for stew, but also my slow cooker chocolate beetroot cake (not vegan).

Ingredients for easy vegan slow cooker lentil stew with harissa paste. Gluten free and full of vegetables.

Ingredients in Lentil Stew

Onion
Garlic
Celery
Carrot
Ground cumin
Tomato Paste/Puree
Vegetable Stock/Broth
Chopped tomatoes
Green lentils (feel free to use red lentils instead)
Cabbage or Kale
Spinach
Lemon
Harissa paste (spicy North African paste usually found in the ethnic aisle of most major supermarkets. Rose harissa works well too and is less firey)

Most of the ingredients are store cupboard staples, but this recipe is very flexible, so feel free to make substitutions.

That's one of the great things about slow cooker casseroles, they're endlessly adaptable.

If you use the cumin and harissa paste, it will still taste similar if you substitute parsnips, kale and red lentils.

Vegan Slow Cooker Lentil Stew with Harissa is easy to make and full of flavour.

What is harissa?

Harissa is a hot and spicy condiment paste traditional to North Africa and the Middle East, particularly found in Tunisia and Morocco.

It's normally a blend of red peppers, dried red chillies, garlic, cumin and caraway, plus a mixture of other spices that might include rose petals.

Different brands will all have different mixes, so some may be hotter than others, or perhaps sweeter, spicier or have rose notes in it.

Close up overhead shot of a bowl of hearty Lentil Stew (vegan).

How do you use Harissa?

Harissa is spicy, aromatic and adds a complex depth of flavour to many dishes. There are many ways to use it:

  • Add flavour to soups and stews
  • A marinade or rub for meat or vegetables
  • Add extra punch to tomato-based sauces
  • Mix with oil on roasted vegetables or potatoes
  • Swirled into cooked couscous

Harissa is quite spicy, so start with just a little and add more if you like it hot. Rather than just heat for heat's sake, harissa brings many other flavours along with it making it not just hot, but truly, fragrantly, warming.

What is a substitute for harissa paste?

Harissa is available in the ethnic section of major supermarkets, but if you can't find it you could try to make your own or substitute it with chilli paste or your favourite hot sauce.

If you still want that typical harissa flavour, you could add a pinch of ground cumin and caraway to the chilli paste.

Close up of a bowl of vegan lentil stew recipe

Vegan Slow Cooker Recipes

If you're looking for other vegan Crock pot recipes try my red lentil dahl, kale and ale stew or Spanish beans in tomatoes.

They're all easy to make on the stove top, but add the ingredients to a slow cooker and they'll be extra easy.

Recipes From A Pantry's caponata recipe (aubergine/eggplant stew) would also be great in a slow cooker. I made it for dinner last night and it's delicious!

Easy and tasty crock pot lentil vegetable casserole with harissa paste. It's a hearty vegan stew that's full of flavour and easy to prepare.

How to make Lentil Stew step by step

Note: the stovetop method is below in the recipe card. This is the step by step method to make this Lentil Stew in the slow cooker. 

It's a really easy recipe that's bursting with flavor. Just follow these simple steps:

How to make vegan lentil stew in the slow cooker

1: Sautee the chopped veggies in a frying pan and add cumin, then transfer to the bowl of your slow cooker (or a large pot for stovetop method). 

 

How to make slow cooker vegetable casserole

2: add the tomatoes, stock, lentils, tomato puree and harissa paste (if using). If you're using cabbage (instead of kale) then you can add it now. Give it a stir, set the slow cooker and leave it to allow it to turn into lentil stew casserole goodness. It's that easy!

Crock Pot Lentil Vegetable Stew with Harissa (vegan, gluten-free)

Step 4. If you're using kale or spinach, add just before serving and stir it in to soften. 

Overhead shot of two bowls of easy slow cooker lentil stew (vegan recipe).

Tips and Tricks for Lentil Stew

  • Try adding diced peeled potatoes to make it even heartier.
  • If you like spice, but don't have harissa, then add in a teaspoon or two of dried chilli flakes.
  • You can make lots of swaps for this Lentil Stew.
  • Try adding whatever root vegetables you have. For softer vegetables (like zucchini or eggplant) add them close to the end of the cooking time.
     

Lentil Recipes

Looking for other ways to use up lentils? Try these!

Lentil Dhal
Vegan Lentil Soup
Lentil Tomato Stew
Mini Lentil Tacos
Lentil Carrot Hot Dogs

Get the recipe for Vegan Slow Cooker Lentil Stew with Harissa

If you make this vegan Lentil Stew recipe, please tag it with #veggiedesserts on Instagram or other social media. I LOVE seeing your recreations of my recipes. I work hard to bring you creative vegetable cake recipes, as well as vegetarian and vegan recipes and vegan desserts.

📖 Recipe

Close up of a bowl of vegan lentil stew recipe

Vegan Slow Cooker Lentil Stew with Harissa

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
This vegan slow cooker lentil stew with harissa is aromatic, lightly spiced and full of flavour. It's easy, vegan, gluten free and a perfect Crock Pot recipe.
5 from 14 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 6 hours hrs
Total Time 6 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Course Main Meal
Cuisine American, North African
Servings 8
Calories 300 kcal

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • Frying pan
  • Knife
  • Wooden spoon

Ingredients
 

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 3 carrots finely diced
  • 2 onions diced
  • 3 celery sticks diced
  • 4 cloves garlic finely diced
  • 2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1-2 teaspoon harissa paste (optional) depending on how spicy you want it
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste/puree
  • 2 cans chopped tomatoes (400g/15oz)
  • 750 ml vegetable broth/stock
  • 500 g green lentils rinsed and drained
  • ½ savoy cabbage (or kale) shredded
  • small handful of fresh baby spinach leaves
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • salt and pepper

Instructions
 

Slow Cooker instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large pan and sauté the carrots, onions and celery without colouring until softened. Stir in the garlic and cumin and continue to sauté for a further 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously.
  • Transfer the contents to the slow cooker bowl.
  • Add the harissa paste, tomato puree, chopped tomatoes, lentils and stock, and stir well
  • Cover and cook on Low for 7-8 hours or High for 6-7 hours.
  • ½ hour before the end of the cooking time, stir in the shredded cabbage and continue to cook until the end of the chosen time.
  • If using kale, stir it in now and let it soften. Add the spinach, lemon zest, seasoning and serve.

Stovetop instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large pan and sautee the carrots, onions and celery without colouring until softened. Stir in the garlic and cumin and continue to sauté for a further 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously.
  • Add the harissa paste, tomato puree, chopped tomatoes, lentils, cabbage and stock, and stir well. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer or 20 minutes or until the lentils and vegetables are soft.
  • If using kale and/or spinach, stir it in 5 minutes before the end. Add the lemon zest, seasoning and serve.

Video

Notes

  • This recipe freezes well.
  • Try adding diced peeled potatoes to make it even heartier.
  • If you like spice, but don't have harissa, then add in a teaspoon or two of dried chilli flakes.
  • You can make lots of swaps for this Lentil Stew.
  • Try adding whatever root vegetables you have. For softer vegetables (like zucchini or eggplant) add them close to the end of the cooking time.
  • suitable for slow cooker or stovetop cooking methods.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 18gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 572mgPotassium: 1104mgFiber: 23gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 4820IUVitamin C: 34.5mgCalcium: 114mgIron: 6.5mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

    5 from 14 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Jenn

    November 12, 2019 at 2:44 pm

    5 stars
    My lentils usually end up like oatmeal, but your recipe and steps were so easy and so clear, my dish turned out perfectly, and it was delicious, too!

    Reply
  2. Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter

    November 12, 2019 at 2:43 pm

    5 stars
    Kate, you've made me so hungry! This recipe is right up mu street - I love lentils and harissa is one of my favourite spices! I'll be making it this week, thank you so much for the recipe! Have a great week.

    Reply
  3. kim

    October 12, 2019 at 1:03 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely phenomenal! Definitely will make again. My husband LOVED it too!

    Reply
  4. Danielle

    September 12, 2019 at 11:38 am

    5 stars
    This is absolutely incredible! What wonderful flavors.

    Reply
  5. Kacie

    July 02, 2019 at 12:53 pm

    5 stars
    This lentil stew has to be one of my favourite meat-free meals. It's so nourishing, filling and satisfying.

    Reply
  6. Melanie Pickering

    January 25, 2018 at 5:51 pm

    5 stars
    I love that you gave the size of the slow cooker - I come across so many recipes that don't state how big a crockpot was used, and then you're left guessing whether you need to double up the ingredients etc.

    Reply
  7. Anthea

    January 02, 2018 at 1:56 pm

    5 stars
    I made this yesterday. It's really easy and so flavourful. I've had a jar of harissa for ages but didn't know what to do with it so found this recipe. I'll make a batch again soon for the freezer and meal planning.

    Reply
  8. Aritra

    October 09, 2017 at 3:36 pm

    Wow! didn't know about Harissa. One of these days, I must try this recipe. It will be something new for my family.

    Reply
  9. Shashi at Savory Spin

    October 09, 2017 at 2:47 pm

    This is my kinda soup! It sounds so delicious! So love that cumin and harissa combo!

    Reply
  10. Christine

    October 09, 2017 at 2:45 pm

    5 stars
    Crockpots are wonderful for so many fall and winter dishes. This dish looks delicious!

    Reply
  11. jacquee | i sugar coat it!

    October 09, 2017 at 2:33 pm

    5 stars
    I love all things lentil and harissa - this looks super hearty and deliciously comforting!

    Reply
  12. Becca

    October 09, 2017 at 2:20 pm

    I survive out of my slow cooker in the winter, so I'll be pinning this recipe for sure!

    Becca

    Reply
  13. Laura

    October 09, 2017 at 1:36 pm

    What a delicious and family friendly supper, I've lentils and I am a vegetarian so this is fantastic - going to bookmark this recipe

    Laura x

    Reply
  14. Andrea The Petite Cook

    October 09, 2017 at 12:42 pm

    5 stars
    This lentil stew looks so delicious Kate! It's really the kind of comfort food I crave this time of the year, and I love the spicy kick of the harissa, can't wait to try it!

    Reply
  15. Corina Blum

    October 09, 2017 at 10:20 am

    I love using my slow cooker for easy meals like this and harissa is one of my favourite spice pastes as it's so vesatile and tasty - not just hot. Sounds delicious!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

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