Lentil Tacos Recipe
This Lentil Tacos recipe offers a hearty, flavorful vegetarian alternative to traditional tacos. Made with seasoned lentils simmered in a blend of spices and tomato paste, these tacos are easy to prepare and perfect for a nutritious weeknight meal. Served in warm hard or soft taco shells and customizable with your favorite toppings, they provide a satisfying, protein-rich option that is both delicious and wholesome.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 tacos 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. neutral-flavored oil, such as canola or vegetable
- 1 white or yellow onion, diced
- 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- ½ tsp. ground coriander
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
- 3 cups water or vegetable broth
- ½ tsp. Mexican-style hot sauce, such as Cholula (optional)
- 12 hard or soft taco shells
Instructions
- Sauté Onion: Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the diced onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add Spices and Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste, kosher salt, chili powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, garlic powder, and smoked paprika (if using). Cook for an additional minute until the mixture becomes fragrant.
- Simmer Lentils: Add the rinsed lentils and water or vegetable broth to the saucepan. Stir to combine, then raise the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer until the lentils are tender, approximately 20 minutes.
- Adjust Consistency and Add Hot Sauce: Remove the lid and stir in the hot sauce if desired. If there is excess liquid but the lentils are tender, simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce the liquid and thicken the mixture.
- Prepare Taco Shells and Serve: Heat the taco shells according to the package directions. Serve the warm, seasoned lentils in the taco shells alongside your favorite toppings such as grated cheese, diced tomato, and lettuce for a customizable taco experience.
Notes
- You can substitute water with vegetable broth to enhance the flavor of the lentils.
- Smoked paprika is optional but adds a nice smoky depth to the dish.
- Adjust the spice level by varying the amount of chili powder and hot sauce.
- This recipe is naturally vegetarian but can be made vegan by choosing vegan taco shells and toppings.
- Leftover lentils can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: lentil tacos, vegetarian tacos, Mexican lentil recipe, healthy tacos, plant-based tacos, easy taco recipe, vegetarian Mexican food
Find it online: https://famdishes.com/lentil-tacos-recipe/
