The humble little lentil is anything but just another legume. Lentils are full of fiber, protein and minerals; their hearty but mild flavor makes them compatible with all sorts of spices and cuisines. Some are firmer, making them great for salads, while some will apart when you cook them-perfect for dals, stews and creamy soups. And, as we mentioned in our Guide to Lentils, all types of them are easy to cook. Learn to love lentils with these 20 delicious vegetarian lentil recipes!
20 Vegetarian Lentil Recipes
Lentils and mushrooms team up to bulk up these hearty veggie burgers.
You've probably seen recipes for cabbage rolls stuffed with beef or pork—these veggie rolls rely on protein-packed lentils for the "meaty" filling.
When lentils are blended, they make soups (like this red lentil and cashew recipe) super creamy.
If you like quinoa or other grains in your salad, try adding lentils—they'll give your greens some extra protein and texture. This VegKitchen recipe is a great place to start.
Lentils and nuts are a vegan's best friends when it comes to fillings, like in these heat-free tacos.
Creamy tahini dressing complements the earthy flavors of lentils, squash and kale in this fall salad.
You don't need meat to make chili, and this lentil-based vegan Cincinnati chili is proof!
Lentils are lighter than beans, making them perfect to add to heavier dishes like this Winter Potato Stew from VegKitchen.
Red lentils get creamy as they cook, and their mild flavor means you can top them with just about anything, like this fresh and bright cilantro-mint chutney.
A good strudel includes lots of hearty ingredients. Lentils and roasted winter veggies do the job in these surprisingly easy strudels, complete with goat cheese and pesto.
Lentils are a cheap and easy way to bulk up (and add nutrition to) just about any soup!
Bright mangoes and an irresistible cilantro-lime dressing make VegKitchen's lentil salad totally Potluck-worthy.
Miss Sloppy Joes but not a fan of faux meats? Make your own with this tangy, lentil-based veg version of a childhood fave.
This salad only sounds fancy—French lentils just have a slight green color and stay firmer when they cook, making them perfect for cold lentil salads like this.
Swap out the meat in your meatballs, and opt for fiber-packed lentils, which have an incredibly "meaty" texture—without being weird.
If you've been intimated by making dal, don't be! Just start with this easy version from VegKitchen.
A classic comfort food gets a vegetarian makeover thanks to the dream team of lentils and mushrooms.
You can make a hearty, satisfying shepherds pie sans meat. And you can be totally lazy about it, thanks to one shortcut: a can of lentil soup.
Chili can be too heavy, but this Middle Eastern-spiced lentil-and-rice soup is satisfying without weighing you down. Just add pita bread!
Mjeddrah is a savory rice-lentil pilaf topped with sautéed onions. Serve it as the main dish, or make it a simple side.
Learn everything you need to know about cooking with lentils, including the different types and cooking times.
Laura says
I want to try all of these!
Laura
http://thefoxtrails.blogspot.com/
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness says
Awesome round-up, thanks for sharing! I love lentils and would love to get more creative with them. Pinning this now!