Turkish crimson lentil stew with beef meat and tarragon (one pot). A simple cold-weather dinner recipe that’s warming and scrumptious. Simply ready on the range, within the oven or a sluggish cooker – this hearty lentils and beef (chuck roast or brisket) stew is a crowd pleaser.


As somebody who swears by no-fuss weekday cooking – particularly the kind my children gained’t stage a protest over – I are inclined to lean closely on soups and stews. The true allure of those meals is their sincere effectivity: one pot, minimal drama, and fully doable on a workday with out derailing your life.
Additionally try this hearty French Onion Stew and Meatballs or my favourite French Rabbit Stew with Peas & Potatoes.
Behind the Bites
Crimson lentils have been a central a part of Turkish delicacies for hundreds of years as a result of they develop effectively within the dry situations of Anatolia and supply wealthy diet, making them staples lengthy earlier than the Ottoman period. Over time, these legumes grew to become important in native diets, particularly in soups and stews valued for nourishment and ease. In Ottoman kitchens, dishes utilizing crimson lentils – significantly mercimek çorbası (crimson lentil soup) – have been broadly ready, reflecting the native culinary choice for hearty, accessible meals.
Over centuries, crimson lentil dishes grew to become culturally vital in Turkey, tied to hospitality, household gatherings, and seasonal traditions. Right now, crimson lentils stay broadly cultivated and consumed throughout the nation and are celebrated as an integral a part of Turkish culinary heritage.
Elements and Substitutions
- Beef meat – for stew or soups, finest from a younger animal – chuck roast or brisket
- Shallots – or common onions
- Crimson lentils
- Garlic
- Butter – will be changed with sunflower oil
- Tomato paste – or recent tomatoes. Tomatoes from a can work too
- Water – or bone broth for richer style
- Spices: tarragon (recent is finest), nutmeg, oregano
- Sea salt and black pepper to style
- Lemon – for serving
Methods to prepare dinner Turkish lentil and beef stew?
1st: Saute onions and garlic in butter (oil) after which add within the meet and brown on all sides till it modifications shade (will get darker).




2nd: Pour within the water (broth), tomato paste and lentils. Carry to a boil and let simmer till absolutely cooked. Stir often and add extra water as wanted. Season and serve.
Extra STEW recipes to strive?




Turkish crimson lentil and beef stew (with tarragon)
Hearty Turkish-style stew with beef, crimson lentils and many tarragon. Scrumptious and simple recipe for the colder months of the yr – excellent for potlucks, household gatherings or events.
Forestall your display screen from going darkish
- 300 g beef, for stew (see notes)
- 1 cup crimson lentils
- 2 small shallots
- 1 clove of garlic
- 6 tbsp. butter
- 2 tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 2 tbsp. tarragon, recent
- pinch of nutmeg
- sea salt to style
- 1 liter water, or bone broth
- recent lemon slices, for serving
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In a big soup pan sauté cleaned and minced shallots and garlic in butter. Add within the beef meat and sauté till meat modifications shade on all sides. Stir as wanted.
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Then, place crimson lentil into the pot, add in water (broth), tomato paste and convey to a boil. Let simmer till lentils and beef are absolutely cooked. Stir often and add extra water if wanted.
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Subsequent, take away from range high and season with freshly minced tarragon, oregano, nutmeg and salt. Serve sizzling with recent lemon slices on the facet.
WATER (broth): For deeper taste use bone broth (ideally selfmade) Amount of water (broth) is indicative – add roughly as wanted.
BEEF: Select a minimize of meat that’s appropriate for stews (e.g. chuck roast, brisket, and so on.). Beef will be changed with rooster or turkey as effectively.
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