Lentejas Rancheras (Mexican Lentil Stew)
Hearty brown lentils simmered with carrots and a chunky ranchera sauce, topped with fresh pico de gallo.
Made with Fresh pico de gallo and Salsa ranchera. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.79 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Cook the carrots and celery for 5 minutes until just soft. Add the garlic for 30 seconds.
5 min - 2
Add the lentils, bay leaf, water and your ready made salsa ranchera (see the base recipe). Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- 3
Cook, partly covered, for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring now and then, until the lentils are tender and the stew is thick.
35 min - 4
Remove the bay leaf. Season with 1.5 tsp salt, adding it at the end so the lentils soften properly.
- 5
Ladle into bowls and top with your ready made pico de gallo (see the base recipe). Serve with lime wedges.
Tips
- Add the salt at the end. Salting too early can toughen the lentil skins.
- Add a little more water if it gets too thick.
- A splash of lime juice at the end brightens the flavour.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours. Keep in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through, adding a splash of water.
Questions
Can I use green or Puy lentils?
Yes, they hold their shape well. Red lentils go mushy, so they are not ideal here.
Is it filling enough as a main?
Yes. Serve it with warm tortillas or rice for a complete meal.
More made with fresh pico de gallo
Quesadillas de Camarón al Adobo (Adobo Prawn Quesadillas)
EFNFCaldo de Camarón al Guajillo (Red Prawn Soup)
GFDFEFSincronizadas de Frijol Negro y Queso (Crisp Bean and Cheese Tortilla Sandwiches)
EFNFChuletas de Cerdo Asadas al Achiote (Achiote Pork Chops)
DFEFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.