Spiced Lentils with Garlicky Spinach Bowl

This Spiced Lentils and Spinach is a comforting, nutritious and budget-friendly dish that’s ready in about 15 minutes. Tasty and quick, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner.

close up of the Spiced Lentils and Spinach
Spiced Lentils and Spinach

I’ve been making this recipe for years. A friend first shared it after I enjoyed it at her home. Her version included shrimp, which is delicious, but this recipe focuses on the vegetarian version. Both variations are excellent.

table setting view of the Spiced Lentils and Spinach
Spiced Lentils & Spinach

Full disclosure: it’s not always a hit with the kids at my house, so they sometimes choose a frozen pizza instead. That’s life—this dish tends to be more appreciated by the adults.

over head table setting view of the Spiced Lentils and Spinach
Spiced Lentils & Spinach

Notes About The Spiced Lentils and Spinach


  • One of the best things about this recipe is how quick it is. Using cooked lentils removes a time-consuming step and gets dinner on the table fast.
  • If you plan to cook dried lentils yourself, factor that time into your prep. Cooked lentils freeze well, so consider batch-cooking and freezing portions for quick use later. Alternatively, use jarred or canned lentils for convenience.
Spiced Lentils and Spinach
Spiced Lentils and Spinach

We enjoy this at home roughly once a month. I like to serve it with a dollop of Greek yogurt and flatbread on the side — not required, but it makes the meal more satisfying.

As the weather cools, I’m thinking more about warming dishes like this one and getting back into the kitchen.

Happy September!


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Spiced Lentils & Spinach

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Spiced Lentils & Spinach

This Spiced Lentils and Spinach is comforting, nutritious and budget-friendly, and it’s on the table in about 15 minutes.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keyword: lentils, vegeterian
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 497kcal
Author: Julia Pinney

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups lentils cooked
  • 2 Cups spinach fresh
  • 1 Red onion finely chopped
  • 1 Spring onion finely chopped
  • 1/4 Cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/4 Teaspoon chili flakes
  • 2 garlic cloves crushed
  • 1/4 Cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Bunch of fresh cilantro chopped
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet. Add the red onion, spring onion and crushed garlic. Cook on high heat for about 5 minutes until the onions are soft and lightly browned.
  • Reduce the heat to medium. Add the cooked lentils, balsamic vinegar, the remaining oil, ground coriander, cumin, turmeric and chili flakes. Stir and cook for a few minutes to let the spices infuse the lentils. Add the fresh spinach (reserve a little for garnish) and stir until wilted. Finish by stirring in the chopped cilantro. Serve topped with Greek yogurt and flatbread if desired.

*Note: appliance performance varies; prep and cook times are estimates.

Nutrition Facts
Spiced Lentils & Spinach
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 497
Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Sodium 27mg1%
Potassium 1093mg31%
Carbohydrates 65g22%
Fiber 31g129%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 26g52%
Vitamin A 1511IU30%
Vitamin C 12mg15%
Calcium 94mg9%
Iron 9mg50%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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