Lentil Stew with Sausage and Pork

Lentil Stew with Sausage and Pork is a Brazilian New Year’s tradition. At the same time, it’s an easy recipe to enjoy all year long. This easy, one pan pork lentil stew is made with tender pieces of pork tenderloin and smoked pork sausage, plus a few other ingredients. Serve this meaty green lentils recipe by itself with a drizzle of olive oil and a splash of lime, or over rice for a hearty dinner.

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Lentilha da Sorte – A Brazilian New Year Tradition

Oi gente!!

Green lentils are a Brazilian New Year tradition. Many Brazilians make sure our first meal of the year is a nice bowl of lentils, whether it’s in a salad, lentil rice (arroz de lentilha) or as a meaty stew, like this one.

In Brazil, as well as other cultures, it’s believed that lentils bring good luck, prosperity and fortune. Whether or not this is true, I have no idea, but I don’t know a lot of Brazilians willing to skip their New Year lentilha da sorte, which translates to “lentils of luck.” I sure don’t!

Rumor has it that this tradition was brought to Brazil by Italian immigrants, who believe Lenticchie a capodanno, franchi tutto l´anno (“Lentils on New Year, Money All Year.”) Money all year!!!? Yes, please!!!

Brazilian Good Luck Food

Another new year ritual we have in Brazil surrounding food is to not eat any poultry on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. Many Brazilians choose to only eat fish (because they swim forward), or pork or steak because these animals take firm and sturdy steps.

Birds, on the other hand, scratch the ground throwing dirt backwards. What this means is we don’t want to leave anything behind. We would rather ring in the year “swimming” forward, and taking firm steps ahead.

I can’t confirm this Pork Lentil Stew will bring you any money or luck in the coming year, but I can assure you they are delicious and absolutely worth eating on New Year’s Day and all year long. It’s an excellent recipe to have up your sleeve for meal prepping, too.

Serve this hearty stew with some Brazilian rice, or by itself with a little drizzle of olive oil and a splash of lime and you’ll feel lucky!

Bom Apetite & Feliz Ano Novo!!

Beijinhos!! xoxo

What you need to make this recipe:

• Pork tenderloin — be sure to cut it into chunks.
• Smoked pork sausage — for some smoky flavor to elevate this stew
• Extra virgin olive oil — or another neutral oil. You use this to sear the meat and veggies, as well as for serving.
• Onion — yellow or white onions is what you want for this recipe. You’ll need a large one.
• Brazilian sofrito or garlic cloves — these add so much flavor! Do not skip them.
• Carrot — for a little sweetness. You’ll need 1-2 regular sized carrots to add to this.
• Green lentils — I do not recommend using another color of dried lentils for this recipe because the type of lentils matters.
• Seasonings and spices — you’re going to need a few of these. Grab some bay leaves, as well as ground cumin, mustard powder and cayenne
• Water — you need enough of this to cover the lentil mixture before you simmer the soup
• Limes — we need a little juice for the stew, as well as wedges for serving

Equipment:

For this recipe, I like to use this 6-qt cast iron cocotte. You can definitely use any other dutch oven pot with lid, or even a heavy bottomed regular pan, which is how my mom makes this recipe.

You will also need a liquid measuring cup, a citrus juicer and a sharp knife and cutting board.

Shop This Recipe:

Staub Cast Iron 6-qt Cochon Round Cocotte

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Measuring Cup

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cutting board

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How to make Lentil Stew with Pork and Sausage

Heat the pan and brown the sausage in the olive oil. When the slices are browned, remove and set them aside.

Sauté half of the onion and half of the garlic in the remaining sausage fat. This adds amazing flavor!

Add the pork tenderloin pieces and brown them. These don’t need to cook all the way because they’ll finish cooking with the lentils. The goals here is to seal all the juices inside so they stay nice and tender as they cook.

When the tenderloin has browned, add the carrots, as well as the remaining onions and garlic. Sauté a few minutes until the onions are transparent.

Add the lentils, the seared sausage and the bay leaves to the pan.

Cover everything with water and let it cook until the lentils are soft.

Be sure to check the pan every 15 minutes or so to make sure the lentils are always under water. If needed, add a bit more water as you go.

When the lentils are cooked, season with salt, pepper, lime juice and the dry spices.

Then, simmer for about 10 extra minutes, and you’re all set to serve this Pork Stew with Lentils.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other lentil dishes to try:

• Instant Pot Lentils
• Slow Cooker Lentil Soup
• Rosemary Honey Pork Loin with Warm Lentil Salad
• Red Lentil Soup with Coconut Milk

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5 from 24 votes

Green Lentil Pork Stew

Lentil Stew with Sausage and Pork is a Brazilian New Year's tradition. At the same time, it's an easy recipe to enjoy all year long. This easy, one pan pork lentil stew is made with tender pieces of pork tenderloin and smoked pork sausage, plus a few other ingredients. Serve this meaty green lentils recipe by itself with a drizzle of olive oil and a splash of lime, or over rice for a hearty dinner.

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 servings

Calories: 369kcal

Author: Aline Shaw

Ingredients

• 1 lb pork tenderloin cut into chunks
• 13 oz smoked pork sausage cut into chunks
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil plus more for serving
• 1 large onion diced
• 2 tsp of Brazilian sofrito or 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1-2 large carrot diced
• 1 lb green lentils
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp of fresh lime juice
• 1 tsp of mustard powder
• a little pinch of cayenne pepper
• lime wedges for serving optional

Instructions

• Season the tenderloin chunks with salt and pepper, and set aside.
• Heat a dutch oven or heavy bottomed pan, on stove top over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of the olive oil and heat it up, about 30 seconds.
• Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned.
• Remove the browned sausage from the pan, and set aside.
• Add half of the diced onions to the pan, and sauté them in the sausage fat, until transparent, about 2 minutes.
• Add half of the garlic, and saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Add the loin chunks, and stir. This will take about a minute.
• When the loin is cooked and browned, add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pot and add the remaining onions, the carrots and the sausage, stir and sauté about 2 minutes.
• Add the remaining garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Add the lentils, the seared sausage slices, the bay leaves and water to cover about an inch over the lentils. Cover the pot and let it cook covered over medium heat until the lentils are soft, approx 40 mins, checking on them every 10-15 minutes to make sure the lentils are always under water. If needed, add a bit more water.
• When the lentils are cooked, season with salt and pepper to taste. Add lime juice, cayenne and mustard powder and let it simmer for 10 or so more minutes.
• Serve with lime wedges and a drizzle of olive oil, or over rice.

Bom Apetite!

Did you make this recipe? Show me how it turned out! Snap a photo and share with me on Instagram tagging @aline_shaw!

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Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 369kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 354mg | Potassium: 741mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1041IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 5mg