Lentil Tacos Recipe
These Lentil Tacos are a flavorful and nutritious vegetarian alternative to traditional meat tacos. Made with seasoned brown or green lentils simmered with spices and tomato paste, they offer a hearty filling that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering. Serve them with your favorite taco shells and fresh toppings for a delicious, plant-based meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 tacos 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Lentil Filling
- 2 Tbsp. neutral-flavored oil, such as canola or vegetable
- 1 white or yellow onion, diced
- 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- ½ tsp. ground coriander
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
- 3 cups water or vegetable broth
- ½ tsp. Mexican-style hot sauce, such as Cholula (optional)
For Serving
- 12 hard or soft taco shells
- Grated cheese (optional)
- Diced tomato (optional)
- Lettuce or other preferred taco toppings
Instructions
- Sauté Onion: Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the diced onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add Tomato Paste and Spices: Stir in the tomato paste, kosher salt, chili powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, garlic powder, and smoked paprika if using. Continue sautéing for an additional minute until the mixture becomes fragrant.
- Cook Lentils: Add the rinsed lentils and water or vegetable broth to the saucepan. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently until the lentils are tender, approximately 20 minutes.
- Adjust Liquid and Add Hot Sauce: Remove the lid and check the consistency. If there is excess liquid, simmer uncovered for a few minutes until it reduces to your desired thickness. Stir in the Mexican-style hot sauce if desired, then remove from heat.
- Warm Taco Shells and Serve: Heat the taco shells according to package instructions. Spoon the warm lentil filling into the shells and serve with grated cheese, diced tomato, lettuce, or any of your favorite taco toppings.
Notes
- Using vegetable broth instead of water enhances the flavor of the lentil filling.
- Smoked paprika adds a subtle smoky flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Feel free to customize your tacos with avocado, salsa, cilantro, or sour cream for added texture and taste.
- If you prefer softer taco shells, warm them wrapped in a damp paper towel in the microwave for 30 seconds.
- Lentils can also be cooked ahead of time and reheated to save time during assembly.
Keywords: lentil tacos, vegetarian tacos, meatless tacos, plant-based tacos, easy lentil recipe, Mexican vegetarian recipes
Find it online: https://familyfavplates.com/lentil-tacos-recipe/
