A guide to choosing, preparing, and cooking lentils + 27 delicious vegan lentil recipes that you have to try for dinner!
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
Yes, lentils are vegan. They grow on plants and are a great choice for vegans to enjoy.
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.
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.
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.
27 Tasty Vegan Lentil Recipes
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!
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.
These delicious vegan meatballs are packed full of lentils and quinoa! They have the perfect texture and will please any meat-eater!
This vegan lentil chickpea soup is creamy, cozy, and comforting! Basically, everything you want in a bowl of soup. Vegan + gluten-free.
Red cabbage rolls stuffed with a flavorful mixture of onions, lentils, brown rice, and Italian seasonings. This is one of our favorite healthy, inexpensive dinners! Tastes just like grandma’s cabbage rolls but without the meat!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
Tender slices of garlicky roasted portobello mushrooms and protein-packed lentils swimming in a flavorful green pea basil pesto sauce. Vegan.
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.
This hearty Vegan Lentil Salad is a nutritional powerhouse packed with French lentils, mushrooms, and lemon. And it comes together fast with just a handful of ingredients which you probably already have in your pantry!
This Instant Pot Lentil Soup is vegan, gluten-free, packed with protein and bursting with Mexican flavors. If you want a super easy and filling recipe, this is it.
Vegan Shepherds Pie is easy to make in just 30 minutes and is full of nourishing ingredients. This tasty hearty comfort food brings mushrooms and lentils together under a blanket of crushed potatoes. Vegan and gluten-free.
These flavorful Jamaican Lentil Patties is a gluten-free and vegan version of the very popular Jamaican beef patty. Savory lentils cooked with aromatic herbs and spices in a buttery pastry.
This vegan Lentil Bolognese makes a great weeknight or Sunday dinner. Switching in lentils as the protein in the bolognese makes the sauce vegan yet still hearty.
A great finger food for kids and babies; made with only lentils, spinach and spices.
These Vegan Lettuce Wraps are light, healthy, and packed with rich umami flavor. Also, you can put them together with ease in 25 minutes or less.
This Lemon Lentil Soup makes for a hearty, nutritious and flavor packed soup perfect for the whole family. It can be prepared in less than 30 minutes and also makes a great freezer meal!
Vegan Lentil Mushroom Stew with Mashed Sweet Potatoes - Instant Pot or Stovetop
Instant Pot Lentil Mushroom Stew with Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes. 1 Pot 30 Minute. Upside down Lentil Shepherds Pie!
This Beluga Lentil salad is easy to prepare, vegan, and the perfect warming dish for fall and winter.
Vegan Lentil Wraps With Fresh Salad & Yogurt Garlic Sauce Recipe
These lentil vegan tacos are healthy, filling, dairy free, nut free with a gluten-free option available. They are perfect for lunch boxes, picnics, or to be served as a main dish for lunch or dinner.
This deliciously easy vegan lentil chili is sure to impress! With stove-top, Instant Pot, and slow cooker versions all in this post, you can whip it up any way you choose with minimal effort.
These vegan Lentil Sloppy Joes are made in the Instant Pot with just a few simple and inexpensive ingredients. Freezer-friendly and kid-friendly, these sandwiches are the perfect healthy comfort food.
Roasted Chickpea Lentil Salad – Fresh parsley & mint, chopped veggies and zesty lemons.
Lentil Meatloaf Muffins are easy to make and perfect for holidays and family dinners. This recipe makes 12 meatless meatloaf muffins. You can double or triple the recipe if feeding a crowd.
I hope that you find all of these vegan recipes helpful! Which one are you going to try first? Please leave a comment below and let me know which recipes are your favorite!
What an amazing collection of delicious lentil recipes! I can't wait to give some of these a try. Thanks for including my Roasted Cauliflower Red Lentil Curry!
There are always lentils in my pantry - they are my fave! Thanks for including my stew!
Wow! Great collection fo recipes! Thanks for including my lentil soup. Pinned:)