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Use aromatic, flavor-packed lentil taco meat and fresh salad vegetables to make delicious, crowd-pleasing lentil tacos packed with fiber, plant-based protein, and several micronutrients. Plus, they’re gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan—but no-one will miss the meat!
Super Satisfying, Protein-Dense Lentil Tacos Recipe
There’s absolutely no need for animal products to make simple, delicious, nutritious, crowd-pleasing tacos loaded with protein. In fact, along with tofu tacos, we love utilizing legumes for soy-free sources of plant-based protein, like vegan black bean tacos, potato and chickpea tacos, and these lentil tacos (which are the BEST plant-based alternative)!
Combined with garlic, onion, and a homemade spice blend, not only is this lentil taco meat loaded with aromatic flavor and complex flavor depth, but it’s super nutritious, too. Not only are lentils loaded with fiber, antioxidants, and several micronutrients like folate, but they contain very similar amounts of protein and iron to non-plant-based meats with just a fraction of the fat content!
Using dried lentils (a complete guide to lentils here), pantry-friendly seasonings, and inexpensive, basic salad ingredients, these easy lentil tacos are a satisfying, filling, low-budget meal even meat eaters will enjoy—perfect for meat-free Mondays and taco Tuesdays.
Best of all, the versatile lentil taco meat is even meal-prep friendly, ready for 5 days’ worth of tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas like these vegan bean quesadillas, salad bowls, and more!
The Ingredients and Substitutions
Alternatively, if your pantry isn’t stocked enough, use a packet mix of taco seasoning.
What Else Could I Add To Lentil Tacos?
- Cauliflower: Roasted cauliflower lentil tacos are a favorite of ours when we don’t mind adding a few extra steps to dinner.
- Corn: To add subtle sweetness (and color) to the lentil meat.
- Spinach: Sneak in extra nutrients by adding a generous handful or two of spinach to the lentil taco filling and stirring it in until wilted.
- Tomato paste: Add just a small amount for extra flavor depth.
- Quinoa: For heartier, even more protein-dense vegan lentil tacos. Here’s a complete guide to quinoa.
- Jalapeño: For added spice, add some minced jalapeño (or chipotle pepper).
What Other Toppings Could I Add?
- Vegan shredded cheese
- Black olives
- Vegan sour cream
- Hot sauce/adobo sauce
- Cilantro or scallions
- Nuts/seeds (like chopped walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.)
How to Make Vegan Lentil Tacos?
Step 1: First, peel and dice the onion and bell pepper and mince the garlic. Also, measure out the spice blend into a small bowl.
Step 2: Meanwhile, heat a large, lidded pan over medium-high heat and add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté for 3-5 minutes.
Step 3: Then, add the lentils and seasoning blend and sauté for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Next, add the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover the pan with a lid, and leave the lentils to cook for about 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but not mushy and have absorbed most of the broth.
If it’s too liquidy, remove the lid and allow the lentils to cook for a few minutes to thicken.
Step 5: Then use a potato masher to mash the lentil taco meat to your desired consistency. Meanwhile, wash and shred the lettuce, dice the tomato, and thinly slice the avocado. At the same time, heat the soft tortillas in a dry pan for 20-30 seconds per side, a few seconds per side over an open flame. Assemble the lentil tacos by loading them with a few spoonfuls of aromatic lentil taco meat, tomatoes, lettuce, avocado, and, optionally, a drizzle of salsa. Enjoy!
FAQs
Yes, but the method will change somewhat. First, when using canned lentils, you’ll only need a few spoonfuls of veggie broth (about ¼ cup total). The cooking time will also decrease to just about 5 minutes once the lentils are added to the pan.
Different types of lentils take different amounts of time to cook. We recommend using brown lentils when possible. Check out our complete guide to lentils for more information.
To cook the lentil taco meat in an Instant Pot, use the Sauté function for the first couple of steps. Then add the vegetable broth and cook it on MANUAL (high pressure) for 15 minutes, carefully (use a kitchen towel), releasing the quick release immediately after that.
Top Recipe Tips and Notes
- Bloom the spices: Adding them to the pan before adding the broth gives the spices a chance to ‘bloom’ and become more potent/enhanced in flavor. So don’t skip this step.
- Sort and rinse the lentils: There may be some debris or small pebbles in the bag of dry lentils.
- Adjust the texture: Mashing the lentils a bit achieves a vegan ground beef texture. However, mash it (or use a food processor) to your desired consistency.
- Tweak the heat: Use as much chili/cayenne powder as you like.
Serving Recommendations
- Easy vegan Mexican rice, brown rice, or quinoa
- Easy spanish cauliflower rice with salsa
- Oven-baked sesame fries or easy oven baked sweet potato fries
- Crispy garlic baked potato wedges
- Chips and salsa (like this 5 minute restaurant style blender salsa)
- A side salad
How To Use Leftover Lentil Mixture?
Not only is this aromatic, protein-dense lentil meat perfect for preparing delicious vegan tacos, but you can also add it to a colorful veggie bowl, this quinoa burrito, vegan bean quesadillas, or vegan spaghetti sauce. We’ve also used this lentil taco filling as a topping over vegan nachos with plenty of vegan shredded cheese or even to serve alongside the best vegan tofu scramble at breakfast time.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Once prepared, you can save any leftover lentil taco meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze it for 2-3 months.
To reheat the mixture, warm it up in the microwave or in a skillet, optionally with a splash of water/veg broth if it seems a little dry.
Once assembled, it’s best to enjoy the lentil tacos immediately, though, before the tortillas become soft/soggy from the fillings.
Lentil Tacos
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked lentils
- 4 teaspoons of dried minced onion (or onion powder)
- 3 teaspoons of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of salt (otional)
- ½ teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- ⅛ – ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper (use more or less depending on your heat preference)
- ½ teaspoon of dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- ½ of a small yellow or red onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 medium green or red bell pepper diced
- 2 ¼ cups of vegetable broth
- Corn tortillas
- 1 tomato diced
- 1 avocado diced
- 1 cup of shredded lettuce
- Salsa for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Mix dried minced onion (or onion powder), chili powder, garlic powder, salt, paprika, cumin, cayenne, and oregano in a bowl and set aside.
- In a large pan (with a lid) over medium-high heat, heat oil and place onion, garlic, and bell pepper and saute for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add lentils and seasoning mix. Saute for 5 minutes.
- Add veggie broth and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, cover and lower heat. Cook for 30 minutes, or until broth is absorbed and lentils are soft but not mushy.
- Transfer to a bowl and mash lentils with a fork.
- Warm the tortillas on a skilled or bake them into taco shells in the oven. Scoop into tortillas and top with tomatoes, avocado, lettuce, and salsa.
Notes
- Bloom the spices: Adding them to the pan before adding the broth gives the spices a chance to ‘bloom’ and become more potent/enhanced in flavor. So don’t skip this step.
- Sort and rinse the lentils: There may be some debris or small pebbles in the bag of dry lentils.
- Adjust the texture: Mashing the lentils a bit achieves a vegan ground beef texture. However, mash it (or use a food processor) to your desired consistency.
- Tweak the heat: Use as much chili/cayenne powder as you like.
Can these ingredients been cooked in an Instant Pot?
Hi – we on the PBOAB team haven’t tried it out yet in an instant pot so can’t guarantee the results. If you end up giving it a try, please let us know how it goes 🙂
Made this yesterday and it was delicious! I’m newer to eating vegan and love learning easy, affordable, and delicious foods that are better than the traditional carnivorous diet. Thanks for sharing your recipe. I’ll definitely be making this again and also trying some of your other recipes.
Hi Cindy,
Thanks so much for your kind comment! I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed the lentil tacos—and welcome to your plant-based journey! It makes me so happy to know you’re finding easy, affordable, and delicious options that work for you. I hope you find lots more favorites on the site!
Hello. Can this be done in the instant pot ? Thanks.
Hi! To cook the lentil taco meat in an Instant Pot, use the Sauté function for the first couple of steps. Then add the vegetable broth and cook it on MANUAL (high pressure) for 15 minutes, carefully (use a kitchen towel), releasing the quick release immediately after that. Enjoy! 🙂
These lentils were SO GOOD! Thanks for an excellent recipe!
So happy to hear that you enjoyed these lentil tacos. They’re the best!
I am looking forward to making this meal prep today. If I am using taco seasoning, do I use one packet?
Yes! One should do the trick 🙂
Yum
The yummiest!
is the serving size one taco? thanks!
Hi! You are correct 🙂 Hope you enjoy these tacos!
I am going to make this but in the Instant Pot, do I need to change the amount of liquid?
To cook the lentil taco meat in an Instant Pot, use the Sauté function for the first couple of steps. Then add the vegetable broth and cook it on MANUAL (high pressure) for 15 minutes, carefully (use a kitchen towel), releasing the quick release immediately after that. Enjoy!
This is so yummy! I just made it and can’t wait to put it on the table. I followed the lentil recipe to a T, and I wouldn’t change a thing! Thanks for sharing your talents with us!
That’s so awesome! Lentils are the best!
These were delicious! I halved the recipe to avoid having a lot of leftovers and I’m not sure if it was due to that or living at higher altitude (Denver), but I had to use double the recommended water. Even then, the lentils were still pretty firm. But it was an easy fix and I really enjoyed this recipe!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Delicious, so flavorful! Easy to make and we doubled the recipe to enjoy it for a few days! We made bowls first with guacamole and next we will warm the tortillas for tacos. Yum!!
So glad you enjoyed it! They’re perfect with guac!
I had to add oil at the beginning to cook the onion and garlic. I was surprised that you didn’t have that in your instructions? And I found this quite salty I would cut down the salt next time. There will definitely be a next time as we have some version of tacos every week and I’m always looking for alternatives. Thanks for a great recipe! Otherwise the seasoning was perfect.
Hi Abigail,
Thanks so much for the thoughtful feedback! I’m glad you enjoyed the seasoning and plan to make them again! I usually cook without oil and just add a splash of water if things start to stick, but totally understand adding a bit of oil if that’s your style. And great note on the salt—adjusting to taste is always a good call. I really appreciate you trying the recipe and taking the time to share your thoughts!
These were delicious. We ate ours on Mission ZERO Carb mini tortillas with purple cabbage, lime, and salsa verde. Thank you for another awesome recipe!
So glad to hear you enjoyed it! 🙂
can you freeze the lentil taco filling and save it? like make a big batch and then portion and freeze?
Yes! You can definitely freeze it. 🙂
Omg definitely need to try these tacos looks amazing! 😍
Love these lentil tacos … a new weeknight favorite!
Yesss such a great taco recipe!
I really love this lentil filling a lot more than plant-based burger. It’s easy to make and season, plus it’s got tons of fiber and healthy minerals. Having a bowl in the fridge for last-minute tacos is a must!
Love the idea of having the lentil mixture on hand for a quick meal!
Absolutely love these lentil tacos! So filling and tasty!
Yesss! Gotta love how filling the lentils make these tacos!
These tacos are so good and so simple! Love them 🙂
Right?! So simple and delicious!
These tacos are so filling and delicious!
what kind of lentils work best?
Hi! Whichever you have on hand should work out perfectly. Enjoy!