Vegetarian Mexican Lentils Recipe
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.
- Author: mia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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