Curry Lentil Turkey Stew

Hearty ground lentil turkey stew with red lentils, spinach, mushrooms, carrots, celery, and onions in a Caribbean curry broth intensified with scotch bonnet peppers, cumin, and paprika.

The Inspo

Yes, there are many versions of this type of soup out there. But my lentil turkey stew recipe actually came about when I needed to cook mostly vegetarian and poultry dishes since we were trying to eat fewer red meat and pork dishes.

My hubby is a big soup guy, especially at the delis, so what could have been more satisfying than a warm bowl of lentil soup? Such as adding what he loves, putting some curry, dropping in that baby spinach he buys by the pound, spicing it up with some chilies to make his nose run and sneaking in some other veggies he would never eat if it weren't for me. Voila!

For a Mediterranean citrus kick, try the Green Lentil Kale Stew. Or try these hearty African-inspired spicy stews:

• Spicy Chicken Vegetable Stew with Harissa Tomato Sauce
• Spicy Red Bean Stew with Dumplings and Smoked Turkey
• Pepper Fish Yam Stew

Jump to:

• The Inspo
• Only 30 Minutes!
• Quick Travel and History
• It’s an Indo-Caribbean Thing
• Ingredients and Instructions
• Substitutions
• Equipment
• Storage
• Cooking tip
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Soup Recipes
• Poultry Recipes
• Video
• Recipe
• 📖 Recipe
• Food safety
• Have a Comment or Question?

Only 30 Minutes!

To begin with, the bright yellow aromatic broth simmered in coconut milk is pleasing for the senses; you get the earthy turmeric and smokiness from the paprika, while the cumin brings in the spicy punch, all swirling in the mellow coconut milk. What a vibe!

Then you throw in the hearty, juicy mushrooms, silky spinach, and tomatoes that look like they've been cooking all day. Indeed, it's a lentil turkey stew that looks like it took forever but actually took less than an hour.

Ground meat and lentils go so well together, but they also can replace each other; they almost have the same consistency. In addition, for some adulting here, lentils have benefits. For example, they are a great source of fiber! If you are a fan of lentil soup, also try my Citrus Green Lentil Kale Stew.

Quick Travel and History

The Caribbean is a dense blend of cultures. For example, Jamaican curry is influenced by Indian Cuisine. But how did it get there? Firstly, wherever you decide to read about its origin, key terms will pop up: indentured Indian servants on the island, the British Empire, colonization, the slave trade, and the spice trade.

Secondly, cuisine is like language, shifting due to the environment. Similarly, like language, food connects us without discrimination of good or bad events. As a result, the cuisine is its griot, with a timeline of historical events.

It’s an Indo-Caribbean Thing

If you have eaten Indian cuisine and Caribbean dishes, little thoughts will pop up like the connection of the two with the roti, curries, sweet stewed meats, and chili peppers from not only Jamaica but Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and many other countries.

If you love Jamaican stews, try my Jamaican-inspired Spicy Red Bean Stew with Dumplings and Smoked Turkey.

Ingredients and Instructions

You will use coconut oil and coconut milk because we are trying to achieve a coconut-flavored broth. In addition, you will need the essential flavorings for sauce, soups, and stew, the mirepoix, which is onion, celery, and carrots.

I swear, but garlic should be part of the mirepoix! Let’s start a petition. Then, fry the tomato paste for color and depth in flavor. After that, add the ground turkey.

For heartiness, add mushrooms, spinach, and chopped tomatoes to add acidity to the dish. For that spicy kick, you'll flavor this dish with earthy thyme, aromatic Jamaican curry powder, smoked paprika, and cumin. Then, you will spice it up with scotch bonnet pepper sauce; I used Walkerwood’s Jamaican Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce.

Additionally, I had originally used chicken bouillon because we are using turkey. And my favorite is the Better Than Bouillon Organic Roasted Chicken Base, Reduced Sodium. It's also easy to use: 1 teaspoon bouillon base to 1 cup of water. But for this recipe, you'll use low-sodium chicken broth.

Finally, you'll add the split red lentil and spinach since they are quick and fairly quick and can last under 10 minutes, depending on your lentils. They should also be tender. Additionally, you do not need to soak these lentils before cooking.

See the lentil turkey stew recipe card for quantities.

Busy Folks - Become a better home cook with cooking tips to help you cook more efficiently on Cook's Notebook tab. 

Substitutions

• Ground Turkey - Use ground beef or chicken, plain sausage with no sage or caraway seeds, or triple on the lentils for a vegetarian option.
• Cremini Mushrooms - Try white button mushrooms or sliced canned mushrooms.
• Low-Sodium Chicken Broth - Use chicken bouillon, like Better Than Bouillon Organic Roasted Chicken Base, Reduced Sodium. For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth.
• Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce - You can use fresh scotch bonnet pepper if you do not have scotch bonnet pepper sauce. Prick it with a fork, and add it when you add the coconut milk and broth mixture.
  • When mixing the stew, do not touch the pepper; you do not want it to break open. Before serving, remove and discard the pepper.
  • A little Scotch Bonnet pepper sauce can go a long way. This is why you'll start with a ¼ teaspoon. You can also increase it to your desired taste preference.
• Coconut - You will use coconut oil and coconut milk because we are trying to achieve a coconut-flavored broth.
  • Coconut Milk - Try cashew, oat, or soy milk, placed in the order of my preference for substitution on thickness and flavor.
  • Coconut Oil - Use avocado or olive oil. However, olive oil would be the last result due to its distinctive flavor.

Change Heat Level - Modify the lentil turkey stew recipe's heat level to your liking and learn more about the Scoville Scale and Chili Pairings.

Equipment

Medium Saute Pan - Used for making lentil turkey stew. Because it's wide enough to saute and deep enough to boil and simmer in, like the All-Clad HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Sauté Pan with Lid.

Kitchen Must Haves - Find other tools I use here.

Storage

• Refrigerator - To store in the fridge, you can place the lentil turkey stew in a  shallow 2-inch pan to cool down quickly. Then, store in an air-tight sealing container. The meal will last up to four days.
• Freezer - Follow the refrigeration process mentioned above. Then, you can place it in the freezer in a labeled, airtight container.

Air Tight Food Containers - I use Glass Food Storage Containers with a plastic clipping lid to store food.  For example, I always suggest glass storage containers since you can microwave them and hold food without staining the container, and the glass keeps them at a more stable temperature, which keeps the food fresher longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Soup Recipes

Looking for other soup recipes like this? Try these:

Poultry Recipes

Looking for other poultry recipes like this? Try these:

Video

Recipe

Food safety

• Cook chicken to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C).
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat to prevent foodborne illness from contaminated uncooked meats.
• Wash hands after touching raw meat to prevent cross-contamination.
• Don't leave food at room temperature for extended periods; this can breed bacteria.
• Never leave cooking food unattended to prevent burns and fires.
• Use oils with a high smoke point to avoid harmful compounds.
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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