This Skillet Potato Recipe with Lentils and Carrots makes a great vegan hash whether it's for breakfast or dinner. It's all from scratch with the textures varied and flavorful.
Comfort food is warm, filling, and tasty and those are exactly the sentiments this Skillet Potato recipe conjures up.
We seem to have some sort of lentil about once a week. Besides being full of protein - lentils actually come in different varieties that cook up quite differently.
Ed has even requested colors before. Like, 'How about some green lentils tonight?' So I happily comply.
I am not sure he is thinking of a special dish but green lentils it is.
Actually, any direction is very appreciated. My mind goes blank on some nights.
I am sure you've been there. What's for dinner? I know that meal planning is the way to go but don't those weeks just fly by sometime?
You think you are set with all the food and recipes lined up for the week and then all of a sudden those days are behind you and the food is gone.
Once, I even made a one month list in which I figured I could do the same rotation every month and no one would notice. Just favorite recipes.
It worked really well but then I wanted to update it with new recipes and delete others and I never got back to it - and then I forgot.
This post has been a real help to me in reminding me to do a new month of recipes for rotation. Believe me, this Potato Skillet recipe will be on it.
Did I mention how easy it is? Pre-cook the lentils and cook everything else in one skillet.
The textures are varied and the flavors divine. It makes me smile.
Another lentils dish that is also on this blog that adds lots of comfort is Hearty Chickpeas and Red Lentils. That's an easy and fun recipe to tackle that offers even more protein.
🥘 Ingredient tips
- Dried green lentils are the best tasting lentils and they also add a lot of protein to this dish.
- Vegetable broth adds the necessary liquid and you can use low sodium if you so choose.
- Sauté Onion to mellow out its strength or a sweeter taste.
- Russet potatoes make a great veggie base and they brown up really nice. You can use larger chunks than in some of these photos.
🔪 Instruction tips and visuals
- First, you do want to cook the lentils. Your package will tell how to cook them but if you've poured your dried lentils into a decorative jar then here are directions.
- Add the broth to a medium sized saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet heat 1 tablespoon of the oil and add the chopped onion. Flip them every once in a while and get a nice golden color on many of the sides.
- So that the onion doesn't get burned in the next step remove the onion and set aside.
- In the same skillet add the rest of the oil and add the carrot and potato pieces. The potatoes can be cut into larger bite-sized pieces. It works well either way for this vegan hash.
- Cook on medium-high heat to brown on all sides. About 15 minutes. Get them crispy brown on some of the veggie sides.
- Now add in the tomato paste and lightly stir into the mix without breaking up the potatoes.
- Add the diced tomatoes, sauteed onion, the 3 herbs, and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Now add the cooked lentils and heat through - about 5 to 10 minutes.
- As you can see it really is easy.
FAQ's
This can be a main dish on it's own but I would add a loaf of crusty bread and a leafy green salad.
Yes, with no problem. Just have a large enough skillet to hold everything. I actually have a 14" skillet for large meals. A deep 12" skillet would work though.
You can but ... I don't really like this dish after it is frozen. It's the potatoes. I'm picky and sometimes you can freeze potatoes and sometimes you shouldn't. In this recipe they get too mushy for me after defrosting and reheating.
🥔 More stovetop potatoes
- Bombay potatoes with peas comes from my friend Vegan Richa's cookbook. She let me share this delicious recipe with you.
- It may be a soup but this creamy and chunky Potato Tomato Soup is all done on the stovetop.
- Warm Mushroom Potato Salad makes an unusual but pleasing addition to your outdoor dining.
📋 Recipe
Skillet Potatoes with Lentils
Ingredients
- 8 ounces green lentils - dried
- 16 ounces vegetable broth
- 8 ounces onion - chopped
- 12 ounces potato - large russet
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 8 ounces carrot - cut into ½ inch chunks
- 15 ounces diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
Cook the lentils:
- Put the vegetable broth and 1 cup dried lentils in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil.
- Turn down the heat and cook for 20 minutes (check your package directions).
- Drain the liquid off of the lentils. Set the lentils aside.
Instructions:
- In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the coconut oil to medium heat and saute the onion until it is translucent - about 10 minutes.
- Remove the onion and set aside.
- In the same skillet add the rest of the coconut oil and add the carrot. Saute the carrot for 5 minutes.
- Add the potato along with the carrot.
- Cook on medium high heat to brown on all sides. About 15 minutes.
- Next comes the tomato paste - stir into the veggie mixture. Add the diced tomatoes, sauteed onion, the 3 herbs and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Then put in the cooked lentils and heat through - about 5 to 10 minutes.
Video
Nutrition
Tracey
This looks delicious! Can I use french lentils?
Ginny McMeans
Yes Tracey, you sure can!
Kim Green
Delish! We like spicy, so I used a can of diced, fire roasted tomatoes with green chilies.
Jeremy Bradshaw
This was great. I diced the carrots and cubed the potatoes, next time will be cutting them to matching sizes so they get equal browning opportunity in the skillet as I found the smaller carrots trying to char. Frequent stirring solved that tiny issue.
Nice recipe for a regular supper option, thanks very much.
Margaret
This was delicious vegan comfort food. The only change I made was adding a vegan sausage. I also served it over a bed of spinach sauteed in olive oil with garlic and a squeeze of lemon juice. Thanks for a great recipe!