Lentejas con Costillas Recipe: Hearty Spanish Stew 2026

Lentejas con costillas is a traditional Spanish lentil stew that brings together tender pork ribs and creamy lentils in a rich, paprika-spiked broth. This hearty spoon dish is a staple of home cooking, especially during the colder months, and it only gets better the next day.

It starts with a fragrant sofrito of garlic, onion, red pepper, and carrot, simmered in olive oil until sweet and soft. A spoonful of sweet pimentón and crushed tomato deepens the color and flavor, while a bay leaf and a touch of cumin round out the stew.

The ribs are seared first for extra flavor, then returned to the pot to cook slowly with the lentils until everything is fall-apart tender. Serve it with crusty bread for dipping and you have a complete, satisfying meal.

Ingredients for Lentejas con Costillas

Serves 4

• 400 g dried lentils
• 600 g pork ribs
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• 4 garlic cloves
• 200 g onion
• 100 g carrot
• 100 g red bell pepper
• 30 g olive oil
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 100 g crushed tomato
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

How to Make Lentejas con Costillas Step by Step

1. Soak the Lentils

To cook the lentils, soak them the night before you plan to prepare the dish, or for at least 8 hours. Once hydrated, drain them well from the soaking water before adding them to the pot to cook.

2. Season the Pork Ribs

When you are ready to start the recipe, season 600 g of pork ribs with salt and ground black pepper on all sides. If possible, ask your butcher to cut the ribs lengthwise into smaller pieces so they are easier to handle and eat.

3. Chop the Vegetables

Finely chop 4 garlic cloves and 200 g of onion. Cut 100 g of carrot and 100 g of red bell pepper into evenly sized small cubes.

4. Brown the Ribs

Place a large pot over high heat with 20 g of olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the pork ribs and brown them for a couple of minutes on each side. Then remove them from the pot and set aside.

5. Sauté the Garlic and Onion

Lower the heat to medium and add 10 g more olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and sauté for a few moments. Then add the onion, a pinch of salt, and scrape with a spatula to loosen any bits stuck to the pot after browning the ribs. Mix well and cook the onion for 5-6 minutes.

6. Add the Red Pepper and Carrot

Next, add the red bell pepper, mix, and cook for about 7 minutes. Then add the carrot, another pinch of salt, mix, and cook for 5 more minutes.

7. Add the Paprika and Tomato

Then add 2 teaspoons of sweet paprika and mix it quickly into the sofrito, immediately followed by 100 g of crushed tomato. Stir, add a pinch of salt and ground black pepper, and cook for 2 minutes.

8. Return the Ribs to the Pot

Now add the ribs back to the pot and mix them well with the sofrito.

9. Add the Lentils and Water

Next, add the drained lentils and enough water so that they are covered by about 2 cm. Wait for the water to come to a boil, then add 1 bay leaf and 1 teaspoon of ground cumin.

10. Simmer the Stew

Lower the heat to medium-low and let the lentils cook for 45 minutes. At this point, taste and adjust the salt if necessary.

11. Serve the Lentejas con Costillas

Serve the lentil stew with pork ribs hot. They are also delicious if you keep them in the fridge until the next day and reheat before serving.

Tips for the Best Lentejas con Costillas

Soak the Lentils Properly

Soaking the lentils for at least 8 hours, or overnight, helps them cook evenly and become tender. Drain them well before adding to the pot so the soaking liquid does not dilute the flavor of the stew.

Customize with Extra Pork

This dish is delicious as written, but you can also personalize it with diced serrano ham, pieces of chorizo, or even add diced potatoes during the last half hour of cooking so they cook along with the lentils.

Make It Ahead

Like many Spanish stews, lentejas con costillas tastes even better the next day. Store it in the refrigerator and reheat gently, adding a splash of water if it has thickened too much.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to lineup that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent craving hits, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and comforting sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Some mornings I want an easy breakfast or a lighter plate, so I'll whip up these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I rely on.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I bounce between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever I want to serve something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, my recommendations are this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

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And when I'm hosting guests with drinks and a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

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After years of testing and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the best dishes are built on simplicity, dependable techniques, and big flavor.

Every recipe in this collection is one I genuinely come back to time and time again—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something elegant yet effortless. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When something fresh and simple is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

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And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and completely satisfying without gluten.

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