27 Delicious Lentil Recipes to Make for Dinner! (2024)

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A guide to choosing, preparing, and cooking lentils + 27 delicious vegan lentil recipes that you have to try for dinner!

Table of Contents hide

What Do Lentils Taste Like?

Types of Lentils

Frequently Asked Questions

Expert Tips

27 Tasty Vegan Lentil Recipes

Lentils are the best! They taste delicious and they are a good source of plant-based protein. They're also rich in fiber, folate, iron, and magnesium (Learn more about lentils, here). They're inexpensive, they cook quickly, and there's a bunch of varieties to choose from depending on what you want to make.

You can use lentils to make soup, salads, veggie burgers, veggie meatballs, chili, stews, dahl, curry, sloppy joes, lasagna filling, meatloaf, bolognese, taco "meat" and so much more!

The lentils that I use the most are green, french, brown, black, and red. I do keep a few cans of lentils in my pantry just in case, but I usually cook them fresh because they cook so quickly. You can make them on the stovetop or add them to a dish that you're making in the instant pot or slow cooker.

Whether you're looking for new vegan lentil recipes to try or you've never tried them before and this is your first time cooking them, I've included all of my favorite lentil recipes on this list for you to try! All of the recipes are incredibly tasty and make a delicious dinner!

Before we get to the recipes, let's talk some more about lentils!

What Do Lentils Taste Like?

Lentils are part of the legume family and they kind of look like small beans, but they don't really taste like a bean. I think they have a more earthy flavor and firmer texture. Lentils cook a lot quicker than beans do, so it's a great option to pick if you want to get dinner ready in less than one hour!

Types of Lentils

There are five main varieties of lentils along with some subtypes and specialties.

Brown Lentils - This is the most common lentil and is also the type you will usually find canned. They have an earthy flavor and take about 20-30 minutes to cook.
Green Lentils - Has an earthy flavor and take about 45 minutes to cook.
Red Lentils - They range in color from yellow to red and have a nutty, sweet flavor. They take about 30 minutes to cook and don't hold their shape well.
Black (Beluga) Lentils - Have an earthy flavor and are very small and black. They can be hard to find. They take about 25 minutes to cook.
French (Puy) Lentils - Have a peppery flavor and hold their shape well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are lentils considered vegan?

Yes, lentils are vegan. They grow on plants and are a great choice for vegans to enjoy.

Why do vegans eat lentils?

Lentils are a good source of plant-based protein and fiber, and they can be used to make lots of recipes that are filling and delicious.

Do lentils need to be soaked first?

Lentils don't need to be soaked first because they cook quickly. However, you can soak them overnight or for a few hours before cooking them to aid in digestion.

How do you prepare lentils to eat?

Rinse the lentils thoroughly first. Add water to a pot, bring it to a boil, add the rinsed lentils, reduce the heat to a simmer, and let it cook (about 20-45 minutes depending on type) until the lentils are tender.

Expert Tips

Sort through the lentils before you cook them and look for any small rocks or debris.
Rinse the lentils multiple times before cooking to remove any dirt. Pour the lentils into a mesh strainer and hold it under cool running water until the water runs clear. Red lentils especially need to be rinsed multiple times.
Soak the lentils in water overnight before cooking to help with digestion.
Lentils like to be cooked like pasta, not rice. They don't need to absorb all the water in the pot.
Once the water is boiling, reduce it to a low simmer to maintain the shape of the lentils. If the lentils are cooked on to high of heat, they can be overcooked quickly and get mushy.

This list of vegan lentil recipes has everything from soup and meatloaf to cabbage rolls and curry! Lentils are so versatile and can be used in so many ways! Enjoy the recipes!

One Pot Sweet Potato Lentil Chili

You only need one pot to make this vegan lentil chili and you can easily customize it with whatever veggies you have in your fridge. It has two flavor-loaded ingredients that you’d never expect to find in chili! Vegan.

Vegan Lentil Meatballs

These delicious vegan meatballs are packed full of lentils and quinoa! They have the perfect texture and will please any meat-eater!

Creamy Chickpea Green Lentil Soup

This vegan lentil chickpea soup is creamy, cozy, and comforting! Basically, everything you want in a bowl of soup. Vegan + gluten-free.

Vegan Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Vegan Yellow Cauliflower Lentil Curry

Vegan cauliflower curry is loaded with protein-rich red lentils, tender cauliflower florets, spinach, and the most flavorful yellow curry sauce! This vibrant gluten-free meal is easy to make in one pan and it's ready to eat in 1 hour!

Vegan Lentil Stuffed Pepper Soup

Vegan Lentil Mushroom Meatloaf (Gluten-Free)

This hearty vegan meatloaf has the best texture and it's so flavorful! It's loaded with vegetables and lentils, it has a delicious meaty flavor, and it can be served with a tangy tomato glaze or mushroom gravy. This comfort food meal is sure to become a family favorite!

Pumpkin Sweet Potato Soup (Without Cream!)

This pumpkin sweet potato soup is a Fall staple! The combination of pumpkin puree, sweet potatoes, red lentils, fresh ginger, and coconut milk is incredibly delicious and festive! This recipe is gluten-free, oil-free, and ready to eat in less than one hour!

Vegan Green Curry Lentils

Green lentils, onions, and red peppers are simmered in a flavorful green curry coconut sauce and served over fluffy quinoa for a delicious dinner that's ready in 45 minutes!

Vegan Meatball Subs

Flavorful vegan lentil meatballs nestled into a hoagie bun and topped with tomato sauce and melted vegan cheese. These super saucy vegan meatball subs are healthy comfort food and picky husband approved!

Roasted Portobello Mushrooms with Green Pea Pesto Lentils

Tender slices of garlicky roasted portobello mushrooms and protein-packed lentils swimming in a flavorful green pea basil pesto sauce. Vegan.

Photo Credit:www.babaganosh.org

Green Lentil Tabbouleh Salad

Healthy and tasty, this Green Lentil Tabbouleh Salad is a nutrient-packed recipe that makes a great lunch or side dish. It is naturally vegan, gluten free, and high in protein. Fresh parsley, mint, cucumber, tomato, and lemon juice give this salad a ton of flavor.