Guiso de Lentejas (Uruguayan Lentil Stew with Chorizo)
Local name: Guiso de lentejas
In short: Thick lentil stew with chorizo, potatoes, carrots, pepper and tomato, simmered until creamy, a cold-weather family classic in Uruguay. It takes about 1 h 20 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h 20 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 465 kcal
Guiso de lentejas is the winter stew of Uruguayan households: lentils simmered with potato, carrot, onion, pepper and diced chorizo or bacon until the broth turns thick and almost creamy. It is cheap, filling and made in one pot, and it tastes even better the next day. A drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of chopped parsley and some bread on the side finish it.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the chorizo for 5 minutes until the fat renders, then add the onion and bell pepper and cook for 6 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, paprika, oregano and tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the lentils, carrots, bay leaves and water. Bring to a boil, skim off any foam, then simmer partly covered for 25 minutes.
- Add the potatoes and salt and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, until the lentils and potatoes are very tender and the stew is thick. Add hot water if it gets too thick.
- Mash a ladleful of the stew against the side of the pot to thicken it. Remove the bay leaves and adjust the salt.
- Stir in the parsley and serve with a drizzle of olive oil and bread.
Tips
- No chorizo? Use diced smoked bacon, ham or smoked sausage. For a vegetarian stew, leave the meat out and add a pinch of smoked paprika and a splash of vinegar at the end.
- Add the salt once the lentils are nearly tender. Salting at the very start can toughen the skins.
Questions and answers
Do I need to soak lentils for guiso?
No. Rinse them and cook them straight away. They soften in 40 to 50 minutes in the stew.
Can I freeze guiso de lentejas?
Yes, for up to 3 months. The potatoes soften a little, so add a splash of water when you reheat it.
What do you serve with guiso de lentejas?
Crusty bread is the usual partner. Some people also add a spoonful of rice to the bowl.
How long does it take to make Guiso de Lentejas (Uruguayan Lentil Stew with Chorizo)?
About 1 h 20 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Guiso de Lentejas (Uruguayan Lentil Stew with Chorizo)?
About 465 kcal per serving, with 18 g of protein, 60 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 465 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbohydrates | 60 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 14 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
