Lentil Stew with Mexican Chorizo is packed with bold flavors, fantastic textures and great nutrition! It’s an easy recipe that is ready in an hour.
Updated December 2018
Once the weather turns cold, I would happily eat soup every single day.
Once the snow begins regularly blanketing our region, I crave chunky soups and stew.
I’d eat them any time of the day. In fact, I’ll let you in on something…..
I’m eating a steamy hot bowl of this Mexican Chorizo Lentil Stew right now for breakfast!
Hearty Lentil Stew
Soups and stews have to be some of the easiest recipes to make. They are often more affordable too especially when using dried beans or legumes.
In the case of lentils, they are not fussy by any means. They require no pre-soaking as dried beans do and cook in less than an hour.
This is the most soul-warming stew you’ll find! Chock full of spicy Mexican Chorizo, green lentils, chunks of potatoes and flavored with cumin.
It’s an easy recipe to make and great to take the edge off a chilly day!
Key Ingredients in Lentil Stew with Mexican Chorizo
Green lentils are the key ingredient in this Lentil Stew. They hold their shape and have a flavor that easily works with many flavor palates, especially with ethnic spices.
This Mexican Chorizo Lentil Stew recipe doesn’t require many spices, relying on the bold, spicy flavor of the ground Chorizo.
The Difference Between Mexican and Spanish Chorizo
There is a difference between Mexican and Spanish chorizo.
Mexican chorizo is ground and Spanish chorizo is an aged, hard sausage (something you’ll find in paella recipes).
Mexican chorizo has a very spicy, warming quality to whatever it is added to recipes like:
How to Make this Easy Lentil Stew Recipe
This Mexican Chorizo Lentil Stew is super easy to make.
- Brown the chorizo in the cooking pot, using a stiff utensil like a wooden spoon or spatula to break it into small pieces. Remove from the pan.
- Sauté the chopped vegetables briefly in the pot
- Add the potatoes and remaining ingredients and the browned chorizo.
- Simmer until the lentils and potatoes are done; about 40 minutes.
Timesaving Tips
I use a mini chopper to chop all my vegetables. It’s perfect for soups and stews.
When the ingredients are all going in together, I don’t even worry about separating them in the chopper.
The mini chopper is really a small food processor and very affordable. 
If you’ve made this Mexican Chorizo Lentil Stew recipe please RATE THE RECIPE below!
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Recipe
Mexican Chorizo Lentil Stew Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Vegetable Oil
- 14- ounces ground Mexican Chorizo
- 1 medium Yellow Onion , peeled and chopped
- 2 medium-large Garlic Cloves , peeled and diced
- 2 medium Carrots , peeled and sliced
- 1 large Celery Stalk , rinsed and chopped
- 1 medium Red Bell Pepper , seeded and chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground Cumin
- 8- ounces Russet Potato (s), peeled and cubed
- 1 14.5- ounce can Diced Tomatoes
- 2 cups dried Green Lentils
- 8 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth/Stock
- Kosher Salt and ground Black Pepper to taste
- Garnish suggestions: Mexican Crema , chopped cilantro leaves, lime wedges for a squeeze into the stew
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a Dutch oven or heavy stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the chorizo and brown, breaking it apart while cooking to make small pieces. Remove from the pan after it has browned (2-3 minutes).
- Add the onion to the pan and saute until it becomes translucent (3-4 minutes); scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the garlic, carrots, celery, red pepper and cumin to the pan; continue to saute to soften the vegetables (2-3 minutes).
- Add the potatoes to the pot; toss to coat with the other vegetables. Add the can of diced tomatoes, lentils, chicken broth/stock and the chorizo. Bring the pot to a boil, than reduce heat to simmering, cover and cook for 40 minutes or until the lentils and potatoes are cooked through.
Nutrition
Originally published January 15, 2017
Veronica Solomon says
I love lentil stew. Looks delicious
Veronica Solomon says
I love lentil stew. It looks really delicious
Emily says
This looks incredible, and perfect for our cold weather!! Thanks for the yummy recipe.
Toni Dash says
You are welcome Emily!
Amy Desrosiers says
I grew up on chourico which is the similar Portuguese version of churizo. My family used to make a soup that was very similar to this yummy recipe.
Kelly says
I could go for a big bowl of this soup right now! I don’t think I have ever tried anything similar so I will have to give this recipe a try.
Gina Dunklebarger says
Not many people cook with dried lentils or beans. I love when I can find a recipe that uses them.
Toni Dash says
Me too Gina! With lentils especially, since they don’t need to be soaked AND are so affordable!
Liz Mays says
It’s awesome that you can make this quickly! It does sound delicious and I bet the guys would love the spicy flavor of the chorizo.
MJ.L says
Looks yummy and perfect for a cold day!
Pam Wattenbarger says
This sounds really tasty. I love chorizo and I don’t cook with it as often as I should.
Toni Dash says
I don’t cook with it often but I always love it when I do!
Pam Wattenbarger says
We’ve been heading to the local carniceria to pick up meat for carne asada several times a month lately. Next time I am there I should pick up some chorizo for this recipe.
Toni Dash says
That sounds perfect! I love buying authentic meat blends for this type of recipe.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Oh yum! I can’t wait to make this. I love Mexican flavors, and lentils are so tasty and healthy. This is a great recipe.