Hello, my wonderful chickpeas! We love a good Tex Mex vegan recipe around here, so let's dive into my new Vegan Lentil Taco Meat! This recipe is the perfect addition to an easy taco night, and it's got some great savory and smoky flavors. Made entirely from plants, this lentil taco meat is sure to impress all taco lovers.
This recipe has a deep savory flavor that pairs wonderfully with tacos. It satisfies that craving for a hearty taco, while staying fully vegan! Your next great taco night is just around the corner!
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It is versatile and can be used so many ways! You can of course use it in tacos, but you can also add your Lentil Taco Meat to a vegan quesadilla, nachos, and more!
- It's quick & easy to make! Once the lentils are cooked, this recipe comes together in under 30 minutes. There's also some sauté time where you can also be prepping veggies for your tacos!
- It's fully vegan & made with whole food ingredients! Many vegan "meats" are highly processed, but this one is made with good old fashioned lentils! These are wholesome and pack in some plant based protein.
Key Ingredients
We are leaning into the savory vibes, and we of course want some Tex Mex flavors thrown in! Here are some of the ingredients that are going to get us there.
- Brown lentils: these are the base of our vegan taco meat, and they are perfect! They soak up the other flavors nicely and they are a great consistency for a taco filling.
- Onion & garlic: for those savory flavors!
- Smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and dried oregano: Most of these are pretty typical for Tex Mex dishes. These work great together and the flavors lend themselves well to just about any toppings you'd like.
- Liquid smoke, tomato paste, and tamari: for some deeper umami and smoky vibes. The tomato paste will also add thicken our lentil meat and bring some brightness and acidity to our flavors.
- Cilantro, lime juice, & maple syrup: These add an overall pop of flavor, and compliment the other smoky and savory flavors beautifully. The maple syrup also adds just a touch of sweetness to balance things out.
How to Make Vegan Lentil Taco Meat
Step 1: Sauté onion and garlic.
Steps 2-3: Add your seasonings and mix. Then mix in lentils, liquid smoke, tomato paste, veggie broth, and tamari.
Step 4: Bring everything to a boil, then let simmer.
Steps 5-6: Stir in cilantro, maple syrup, and lime juice. Add to your tacos and top as desired!
Recipe Tips
- This recipe calls for cooked brown lentils. You can cook them according to package directions, or you can cook them in the instant pot. If cooking in the instant pot, I follow these directions:
- Add ½ cup uncooked brown lentils and ¾ cup water or veggie broth into instant pot. Set to High Pressure for 8 minutes. When the cycle is complete, let it Naturally Release for 10 minutes, and then move the valve to Venting and allow to Quick Release.
- The longer you cook the lentils at the end of this recipe, the thicker your lentil meat will be! I like them pretty thick, so I tend to let them simmer for a full 10 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
- The most obvious way to enjoy this recipe would be on tacos! In my house we like to pair it with fresh lettuce and tomato and top it with salsa or guacamole. You can also sprinkle some of your favorite vegan cheese on top! This is perfect to set out with other toppings for a taco bar, then everyone can build their own taco.
- This is also delicious on top of Loaded Vegan Nachos! Add a couple spoonfuls on top of your vegan nacho cheese and enjoy.
- This recipe pairs well with just about any Tex Mex or Mexican flavors, so it's also delicious in my Taco Salad or would be a great addition to a Burrito Bowl!
Substitutions & Variations
- If you're a fan of heat, you could add some peppers of your choice to this recipe! I would recommend doing this by finely dicing the pepper of your choice, then sautéing it with the onion and garlic.
- If you are unable to find brown lentils, my next suggestion would be green lentils. These will have a slightly different flavor, but will overall give a similar experience. I would not recommend using red lentils for this recipe, as these will have a completely different consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This recipe uses minimally processed ingredients and is oil-free, making it whole food plant based!
Lentils are a great vegan substitute for taco meat! They are hearty and high in protein and fiber. They also soak up flavors nicely, so we are able to season them to make a delicious taco meat.
You can usually find lentils near the rice and/or dry beans. If your store has a bulk foods area, they are also often found there. It's usually cheapest in the bulk area.
Other Taco Night Recipes You'll Love
📖 Recipe
Vegan Lentil Taco Meat
Ingredients
- ½ medium yellow onion - diced
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ tablespoon chili powder
- ½ tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cooked brown lentils*
- ¼ teaspoon liquid smoke
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- ½ tablespoon tamari
- ½ tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- Optional: ⅓ cup cilantro - chopped
Instructions
- Bring a medium nonstick deep pan to medium-high heat on the stovetop. Add just a bit of water to prevent sticking, and add your onion and garlic. Allow to sauté for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding small amounts of water as needed to prevent sticking.
- Add smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, and salt to the pan. Mix until combined.
- Add your cooked lentils, liquid smoke, tomato paste, veggie broth, and tamari to the pan. Use a wooden spoon to break up any clumps of tomato paste, and mix to combine everything.
- Bring your mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until desired consistency is reached, typically between 5-10 minutes. (The longer it cooks, the thicker it'll get!)
- Add the maple syrup, lime juice, and optional cilantro to the pan. Mix to combine.
- Add to your tacos of choice and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
*Nutrition facts are an estimate and are calculated for one serving.
Happy cooking! If you made this recipe don’t forget to tag me (@joyfulbalanceofficial) on facebook or instagram so I can cheer you on for your taco-meat-making ways.
Stay joyfully balanced!
Alena says
This taco meat is so delicious, love the choice of seasonings!
Delaney Marie says
So glad you enjoyed!
Katie says
This lentil taco filling is great! It's perfect for tacos, quesadillas, burritos, etc. It has a great flavor and texture.
Delaney Marie says
Thank you so much, so glad you loved it!