Description
These hearty Lentil Tacos offer a flavorful, protein-packed twist on traditional tacos, featuring a perfectly spiced lentil filling simmered until tender and served with fresh toppings for a satisfying vegetarian meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Spice Mix
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or olive oil)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup dried lentils
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 6 small tortillas (corn or flour)
Toppings (optional)
- Diced tomatoes
- Avocado, sliced or diced
- Shredded lettuce
- Salsa
Instructions
- Prepare the Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine dried minced onion, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, paprika, cumin, cayenne, and oregano. Mix well and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bell pepper. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Combine Lentils and Spices: Add the lentils and the prepared spice mixture to the pan. Stir thoroughly to coat the lentils and vegetables evenly with the spices. Sauté for an additional 5 minutes to toast the spices and flavors.
- Simmer with Broth: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pan, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes until the broth is absorbed and lentils are tender but not mushy.
- Mash Lentil Mixture: Transfer the cooked lentil mixture into a bowl and lightly mash it with a fork to achieve a textured, thick taco filling.
- Prepare Tortillas: Warm the tortillas on a skillet over medium heat, or alternatively, bake them in the oven to crisp up into taco shells depending on your preference.
- Assemble Tacos: Spoon the lentil filling into the warmed tortillas or crispy shells. Top with your choice of diced tomatoes, avocado, shredded lettuce, and salsa for added freshness and flavor.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper slightly.
- Try adding other toppings like shredded cheese or sour cream if not vegan.
- Leftover lentil filling can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Use canned lentils for a quicker version, but reduce simmering time accordingly.
- Gluten-free tortillas can be used to make this recipe gluten-free.
