Veggie Power Stew for Toddlers (Vegan)
Our son LOVED this stew! He ate a whole serving even after already having a snack. It’s hearty, simple, and the kind of meal that makes you feel good about what’s going into those little tummies. The barley gives steady energy, the lentils pack in plant-based protein, and the kale sneaks in extra vitamin C and iron. Plus, the steam rising while it cooks makes the kitchen smell amazing.
This recipe is dairy free, nut free and vegan.
Suggested age for this recipe: 12 months and up
See our IG Post for more details on how this came out! :)
Ingredients
Makes 22 (2-ounce) servings. We're big on batch prepping and freeze individual portions in these space-saving silicone molds!
Ingredients:
8 cups vegetable broth
1 ½ cups barley
1 medium carrot, diced
2 cups lentils (any variety — we used a medley version)
2 (15 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 cups stemmed and chopped kale
Instructions:
In a large pot, bring the vegetable broth to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
Add the barley, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 5 minutes.
Stir in the lentils, carrot, crushed tomatoes, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt.
Cover and let the stew simmer, stirring occasionally, until the barley is tender and the lentils are cooked, about 40–50 minutes.
Add the kale and cook for another 5–10 minutes, just until the leaves are tender and bright green.
Serve warm, or let it cool before portioning for your little one.
Tips ⬇️:
You can swap kale for spinach or Swiss chard if that’s what you have on hand.
If you want a smoother texture for younger babies, scoop out a portion and blend with extra broth before serving.
Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze in small portions for up to 1 month
There’s just something magical about a pot of stew that makes everyone in the family feel cared for. This one is pure cozy joy and guaranteed to get spoonful after spoonful of happy approval! 🥣✨
