Lentil Tacos Recipe
These Lentil Tacos offer a hearty, flavorful vegetarian alternative to traditional meat tacos. Packed with protein-rich lentils and seasoned with a vibrant blend of spices, sautéed vegetables, and fresh toppings, this recipe is perfect for a nutritious and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Spice Mix
- 4 teaspoons dried minced onion (or onion powder)
- 3 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ⅛ – ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to heat preference)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked lentils
- 2 tablespoons oil
- ½ small yellow or red onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium green or red bell pepper, diced
- 2 ¼ cups vegetable broth
- Corn tortillas
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- Salsa (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the spice mix: In a bowl, combine the dried minced onion or onion powder, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, paprika, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, and dried oregano. Mix well and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: Heat oil in a large pan with a lid over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bell pepper. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add lentils and seasonings: Add the uncooked lentils and the prepared spice mix to the pan. Stir and sauté for about 5 minutes to toast the lentils and spices slightly, enhancing their flavor.
- Add vegetable broth and cook: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pan with the lid and reduce heat to low.
- Simmer lentils: Let the lentils simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the broth is absorbed and the lentils are tender but not mushy. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Mash the lentils: Transfer the cooked lentils mixture into a bowl and mash them gently with a fork to create a chunky but spreadable texture.
- Prepare tortillas and assemble tacos: Warm the corn tortillas in a skillet or bake them in the oven to make taco shells. Fill each tortilla with a scoop of the mashed lentil mixture, then top with diced tomato, avocado, shredded lettuce, and salsa if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Adjust cayenne pepper according to your preferred spice level.
- You can substitute vegetable broth with water and additional seasonings if desired.
- For extra flavor, try adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice before serving.
- Leftover lentil filling can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Gluten-free and vegetarian friendly.
Keywords: lentil tacos, vegetarian tacos, healthy tacos, meatless tacos, easy lentil recipe, Mexican style lentils, plant-based protein, healthy tacos recipe
Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/lentil-tacos-recipe/
