Armenian Lentil Stew with Eggplant

Armenian Lentil Stew is a thick, rich medley of eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, onions, golden raisins, and lentils, all flavored with a savory-sweet blend of traditional herbs and spices. Naturally gluten-free, it can be served as it is, or over a bowl of rice or bulgar.

Jump to:

• The True Story Behind this Recipe
• Armenian Lentil Stew Ingredients
• How to Make this Stew
• Armenian-Inspired Recipes
• What to Serve with Lentil Stew
• Armenian Lentil Stew

The True Story Behind this Recipe

Some years ago, my daughter married a young Armenian named Vahe. When I first met Vahe, I could barely locate Armenia on a map; moreover, I knew virtually nothing about its rich culture and even less about the tumultuous history of its proud and faithful people. All I knew was this earnest, poetic young man loved my daughter, which is all I really needed to know back then.

And I knew he could cook, because whenever he visited us, that is what he did – COOK! Using nearly every pan in my kitchen, he would make us a bountiful feast of Armenian-inspired fare.

He made us everything from delicious garlicky green beans with eggs to delectable eggplant rolls stuffed with carrots and walnuts to amazing fire-roasted shish kabobs. (Like many Armenians, Vahe is a master of fire and skewer.)

Over the years, I’ve developed a great appreciation and genuine respect for my son-in-law and the hard-fought struggle he has endured to become an American citizen. I’ve gained a heartful of amazing Armenian-American grandchildren and a wonderful extended family. I’ve read books and articles on Armenian history (of which I was taught virtually nothing about in school), and I've learned some about traditional Armenian cooking as well. 

The Rich History of Armenian Cooking

With a recorded history of about 3500 years, the small, landlocked country of Armenia has a cuisine as old as the nation itself, where it occupies a unique place in Asiatic cuisine. Relying on a rich medley of diverse tastes and fragrances, Armenian cooking often employs savory flavors like lemon, garlic, onion, paprika, and sumac, and warm spices like cinnamon, vanilla, and cloves.

When I saw Armenian Lentil Stew on a restaurant menu awhile back, I knew that I had to give it a go. In the end, I don’t know how traditional this recipe is; in fact, my culinary instincts are telling me that, even with my exhaustive research, it may be a bit Americanize. All I know is, it’s delicious. 

When it comes to ethnic recipes, I'm usually a stickler for authenticity, but under the circumstances, I think this recipe is a perfect metaphor. My son-in-law - who coaches his daughters' soccer teams and reads Kant (in Russian) to his three-year old son, who would move heaven and earth for my daughter, and who stood in 2016 in a Utah courthouse and pledged his allegiance to the United States of America... well, he's a little Americanize now, too.

Armenian Lentil Stew Ingredients

Armenian lentil stew ingredients are clean and simple.

• Lentils: Use red or brown lentils, or a combination of both.
• Eggplant: Peel and dice the eggplant into ½-inch cubes.
• Diced tomatoes: We usually use canned tomatoes with onion and garlic for this recipe.
• Dried fruit: Use golden raisins or chopped dried apricots, or a combination of both.
• Chicken broth: Use half-strength homemade chicken stock, or full-strength canned or boxed broth.
• Onions: Use yellow or white onions.
• Sweet peppers: We prefer using red or orange peppers; however, you can use whatever sweet peppers you have on hand.
• Garlic: Use fresh garlic, or 1 to 2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
• Mint: Use dried mint or fresh. We usually make this in seasons when fresh mint is dormant. Conveniently, dried mint works well in this recipe.
• Spices: Cinnamon, allspice, and cumin all have a shelf-life. Be sure your spices are fresh and full-flavored.
• Lemon zest: Use fresh lemon zest. Fresh orange zest also works.
• Salt: We use kosher salt for this recipe.
• Oil: Use any neutral cooking oil (i.e., canola, light olive oil, etc.)

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make this Stew

Like most stews, Armenian Lentil Stew is always better the next day when the flavors have had a chance to play together. 

Rinse lentils and place them in a large saucepan. Add the chicken broth and golden raisins (or chopped dried apricots) and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.

Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or other heavy pan over medium heat until it begins to glisten, and then add chopped onions. Sauté onions until translucent; about 8-10 minutes.

Add eggplant, tomatoes, bell pepper, and garlic to the chopped onions.

Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, remove the lid and add the lentil mixture, along with the brown sugar, paprika, kosher salt, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, dried mint, and lemon zest to onion mixture.

Simmer until lentils are tender; about 30 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste.

If stew becomes too thick while cooking, add additional broth or water.

Serving Suggestions

Garnish with fresh mint or cilantro and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt. Serve as is, or over cooked bulgar* or basmati rice.

This lentil stew gets better with age as the flavors blend and marry, making it great as leftovers! We love to make a big batch and have it for lunch for the rest of the week.

*Bulgur is the instant rice of wheat. It's made from cracked whole grain wheat berries that are partially cooked and then dried. Since it is precooked, it can be rehydrated in just 10 minutes, making it a faster option on a busy day than wheat berries, regular cracked wheat, or rice.

Vegetarian & Vegan Options

If you like this recipe, be sure to check out our recipes for Apricot Chicken Tagine with Ginger & Mint and Bavarian Lentil Soup.

Armenian-Inspired Recipes

Our Armenian-inspired recipes include a delicious carrot and eggplant salad, a simple asparagus pilaf, and lemony stuffed grape leaves. Be sure to check our DIY about naturally dyed Easter eggs, too!

What to Serve with Lentil Stew

Armenian Lentil Stew is hearty and filling all by itself, and most often we just serve it over rice, or with simple slice of homemade bread on the side. However, when we need a more substantial meal, a few of the dishes we enjoy with it include grilled sandwiches and fresh salads.

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