Simple vegetarian lentil tacos are a great way to incorporate plant-based meals into your weekly meal prep.
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If you’re eating on a budget, but still looking for tasty meals, then try incorporating some plant-based dishes such as lentils into your weekly meal prep. They are a low-cost ingredient but still packed with protein, fiber, and other nutrients.
Lentils are a delicious alternative for meat in comfort dishes like soups, chilis, and stews. But they also work well in dishes like soft tacos. In general, all you have to do is combine the lentils with your choice of liquid, bring it to a rapid boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer over medium heat for about 20 to 30 minutes. Their neutral flavor profile makes them adaptable to a range of flavors.
To Make These Lentil Soft Tacos, You’ll Need
- Dried Lentils: You can use any kind, the most common you’ll find are red or green. For this recipe, we used red lentils
- White onions: You can also use red or yellow onions
- Vegetable broth: We wanted to keep this vegetarian, so we opted for vegetable broth.
- Corn tortillas: You can also serve this over steamed rice
- Cilantro: Other herbs such as green onions or basil will also be tasty options
- Cherry tomatoes: Feel free to use Roma tomatoes. The cherry tomatoes add nice fresh flavors to this meal
- Seasonings & Oil: We used chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and cooked it in olive oil
Easy steps to Make Vegetarian Lentil Soft Tacos
- First, rinse your lentils and make sure to drain them.
- Add oil to a heated pan and start sauteing the onions until they soften.
- Next, add the lentils, seasonings, and broth. Bring the liquid to a boil.
- Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Cover the pan with a lid and cook until the lentils are tender.
- Uncover the pan and add the chopped cilantro and cherry tomatoes.
- Serve inside the corn tortillas.
Reference the recipe card below for detailed instructions.
Meal Prep Tips for Vegetarian Lentil Tacos
- To serve: Feel free to serve with avocado, salsa, or pico de gallo. Instead of corn tortillas, you can use regular flour tortillas or even serve with a side of rice or even cauliflower rice
- To store: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Keep the cooked lentils separate from the corn tortillas until you are ready to eat them to keep the tortillas from getting soggy
- To reheat: The lentils can be reheated in the microwave
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to soak lentils before cooking?
No, they do not require to be soaked, but you do want to rinse them in cold water to remove the debris, and then drain them.
Are dried lentils good for you?
In combination with a well-balanced diet, incorporating lentils can help lower cholesterol and protect against diabetes. They are also a good source of fiber which helps with your digestive system.
Can I use canned lentils?
Yes, they can be a quick alternative, but look for those with low sodium content and rinse them before using them. But they cook so quickly, that we prefer the dried lentils and are also cheaper in cost.
Vegetarian Lentil Soft Tacos
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions