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Vegetarian Mexican Lentils Recipe

4.5 from 71 reviews

A hearty and flavorful Vegetarian Mexican Lentils recipe featuring brown lentils, sweet potatoes, black beans, and a fragrant blend of spices. Perfect as a comforting and nutritious meal topped with cheddar cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup diced sweet potatoes (1/2 inch pieces)

Spices and Flavorings

  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

Legumes and Grains

  • 1 cup brown lentils, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 ounce) no-salt-added black beans

Other Ingredients

  • 1 can (15 ounce) no-salt-added diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 2 cups broth of choice (vegetable or other)
  • Cheddar cheese (amount to your liking, for topping)

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil and sauté onions: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burning.
  2. Add garlic and spices: Stir in minced garlic, diced sweet potatoes, cumin, chili powder, and tomato paste. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the sweet potatoes begin to soften and the spices are fragrant.
  3. Add legumes, vegetables, and broth: Add rinsed lentils, black beans, diced tomatoes with their juice, frozen corn, and broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly in the pot.
  4. Simmer until tender: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid. Let it simmer gently for 25-30 minutes or until lentils and sweet potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Season and serve: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve the lentils hot, topped with your desired amount of shredded cheddar cheese for added richness.

Notes

  • Choose vegetable broth to keep this recipe vegetarian and enhance flavor.
  • Adjust chili powder to control heat level according to your preference.
  • For a vegan option, omit the cheddar cheese or substitute with a vegan cheese alternative.
  • Make sure to rinse lentils thoroughly to remove any debris before cooking.
  • This dish can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and reheated on the stove or microwave.
  • Add fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime for extra Mexican flair when serving.

Keywords: vegetarian lentils, Mexican lentils, lentil recipe, sweet potato lentils, black beans, hearty vegetarian stew