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Iron Rich Recipes That Boost Your Energy Naturally

Iron rich recipes : close-up of beef and lentil stew with spinach in a rustic bowl
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This cozy one-pot lentil and beef stew is everything you need after a long day: healthy, simple, and naturally packed with iron. Built around lean ground beef, green lentils, and spinach, it delivers serious nourishment in under 35 minutes. Great for meal prep, freezer-friendly, and iron-rich comfort food made for real life.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Olive oil (splash, for sautéing)
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped
  • Tomato paste (1 tbsp)
  • Ground cumin
  • Dried thyme
  • Smoked paprika
  • 1 cup green lentils, rinsed
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • Lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  • Brown the Beef
    Heat a splash of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or saucepan over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef, break it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes until browned and no longer pink.

  • Build Flavor
    Toss in chopped onion, garlic, and celery. Sauté for another 5 minutes until the vegetables soften. Stir in tomato paste, cumin, thyme, and paprika. Let everything cook for 1 minute to unlock the full depth of flavor.

  • Simmer the Stew
    Pour in beef broth and add the green lentils. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and let cook for 25–30 minutes, until lentils are soft and tender.

  • Add Spinach & Finish
    In the final 3 minutes, stir in fresh spinach until wilted. Taste and adjust the seasoning. For a burst of brightness, finish with a squeeze of lemon juice.

  • Serve or Store
    Serve warm with a salad and a slice of whole-grain bread, or let cool and store in airtight containers for easy meal prep.

Notes

  • This stew keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Use fresh spinach toward the end to retain color and nutrients.
  • Adding lemon helps enhance iron absorption thanks to vitamin C.
  • Great for batch-cooking and saving for lunch throughout the week.

Find it online: https://www.cooking-inspired.com/iron-rich-recipes/