Love lentils? These delectable, protein-packed legumes are one of the most versatile plant-based foods out there. Today I’m sharing some of my favorite lentil recipes, from appetizers to entrees.
Lentils are one of my favorite plant-based sources of protein. Not only are they full of fiber and other essential nutrients, they are relatively low cost, and very easy to prepare. Lentils are part of the legume family, along with beans, peas, and chickpeas. They are rich in folic acid, an important nutrient, especially for pregnant women. Lentils are also a great source of potassium, a mineral that has been shown to help reduce hypertension. The protein in lentils make them a great healthy substitute for meat, and their high fiber content helps keep you full and satisfied.
Lentils come in red, brown, green and black varieties, and each have a unique texture and flavor profile. Brown lentils have a mild nutty flavor, and can be used to bulk up soups, stews, and chilis. Green lentils, also called French or Puy lentils, have a firmer texture and make delicious salads. Red lentils are mild and delicate and are wonderful in Indian dishes such as dal. There are infinite ways to prepare this excellent edible seed, but today I’ve put together ten of my all-time favorite plant-based recipes. I hope you enjoy these hearty and flavorful dishes!
Top 10 Tasty Plant-Based Lentil Recipes
Mini Curried Lentil Wellingtons
While it is the perfect elegant entrée, with its savory, aromatic lentil vegetable filling encased in layers of crisp puff pastry, these mini Wellingtons are also really delicious as an appetizer or a sophisticated hand-held sandwich at a picnic or outdoor event (LA folks, think Hollywood Bowl). You can make them in advance and eat them cold, or just warm them up in the oven prior to eating.
French Green Lentil Salad with Cherry Tomatoes
A French ami shared her mother’s traditional recipe for lentil salad with me years ago. This simple salad, seasoned with a French vinaigrette, is a classic dish in France. It makes a wonderful, protein-rich highlight of any meal. Because the flavors continue to meld, it’s also great the next day.
Pair this chili with a salad and a serving of rustic whole grain bread or my Cumin Cornbread Muffins, and you have a balanced meal in no time. You can also throw all of these ingredients into a slow cooker in the morning, and a savory, fragrant meal will greet you when you come home at the end of the day. You can use an Instant Pot to get the meal done even more quickly.
Indian Style Yellow Lentil Stew
The secret ingredient in this recipe is fresh ginger—which offers just the right pungent, sweet-spicy bite. And the fragrance of this stew is quite impressive. Though this stew is so pretty, thanks to its sunny color of yellow lentils, red bell pepper, carrots, and tomatoes, you can shift the color palate with different choices of ingredients. You can try a different type of lentil (green, brown, red) or vegetables (green beans, peas, sweet potatoes) in the recipe.
Red Lentil Stew with Root Vegetables
This savory Red Lentil Stew with Root Vegetables is a bright, sunny shade of orange—the perfect way to cheer up the cloudiest of days. Its hearty flavor and texture make it ideal to pair with a simple salad or sandwich half.
Sage Lentils with Squash and Mushrooms
Turn to savory lentils prepared with seasonal squash, earthy mushrooms, and aromatic sage for a simple, rustic meal you won’t soon forget. You can get this easy plant-based dish for Sage Lentils with Squash and Mushrooms on the table in 40 minutes. I love to serve it with whole grain bread and a crisp kale salad for a body and soul satisfying meal on a cool evening. The leftovers are wonderful, too.
These Spicy Lentil Tacos are filled with a variety of powerful herbs and spices, including garlic, chili peppers, chili powder, oregano, cumin, cayenne pepper, and cilantro. Heavy on flavor and health, you won’t even miss the meat in this plant-based recipe!
Store-bought lentil pasta is another great way to get in lentils! This recipe was inspired by a trip to my farmers market, where a local mushroom grower sells assorted mushrooms—enoki, shiitake, cremini, hen of the woods, maitake, oyster—by the gigantic bag for $10. I bring home one each week and get creative in the kitchen all week long. In this recipe, I showcase lentil pasta, since this gluten-free, nutritious pasta is rich in protein and offers a nice texture and color to this dish.
Lentil Walnut Bolognese with Spaghetti
Eating more pulses—beans, lentils, dried peas—is a healthy, cancer-fighting strategy too. In this super easy, one-dish meal, you swap out a traditional meat-based sauce for a tomato-forward, lentil and walnut Bolognese sauce, smothered over spaghetti noodles. Savory and delicious, your whole family will love it. Plus, it’s easy on the pocketbook and makes great leftovers the next day!
Herbed Lentil Patties with Mushroom Sauce
I love these easy Herbed Lentil Patties with Mushroom Sauce for a comfort food meal any day of the week. You can whip them up in no time. The creamy, savory mushroom sauce is an excellent topping. Serve this with whipped potatoes and a side salad for a hearty meal that will satisfy the mind, body and soul.
For more delicious lentil recipes, check out more of my favorites:
Acorn Squash Stuffed with Sage Lentils and Wheat
Nourish Lentil Bowl
Curried Lentil Cauliflower Salad
Written by Ally Mirin, Dietetic Intern with Sharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN
Image: Dessert Sage Lentils from my upcoming California Vegan book
