Every cook needs a bag of lentils on hand. Not only are they a great meat alternative for vegetarians and vegans, but they’re also nutritious and nourishing. Packed with protein, fiber, and B vitamins, lentils are practically a superfood. Super healthy and super tasty, these recipes will give you plenty of ideas if you have lentils languishing in a long-forgotten corner of your kitchen cupboards. From lentil burgers to lentil muffins to salads, soups, and stews, there are so many possibilities. Make these dishes, and there’s a very real chance you’ll develop a lentil addiction. You can’t go wrong with these simple and delicious green lentil recipes!
1. Green Lentil Soup
Stewed in a rich broth, lentils add the wow factor to this delicious soup. Tender chunks of potato, carrot, and bell pepper are simmered with hearty lentils and flavored with cumin, turmeric, and paprika. It’s a great go-to soup for lazy weekends or big brunches. Put it into the slow cooker in the morning and enjoy the delicious aroma all day as the Mediterranean flavors mingle.
2. Lentils Provencal (French Lentil Stew)
The French love their lentils, and it’s easy to see why in this tasty dish. Tomatoes and lentils are slowly simmered before being introduced to some surprising flavors. Fresh basil, red and green olives, and a dash of white wine turn a basic broth into a tangy, salty delight. Serve this vegan comfort food with crusty bread. Bon appetit!
3. Green Lentil Salad
Salads are one of my favorite ways to eat lentils because they add bulk and work with so many different flavors. Here, cooked lentils are tossed with cucumber, red pepper, tomatoes, and red onion. Add in fresh parsley, mint, and capers, and you’ll have a satisfying salad that doubles as a main or an appetizer.
4. Lentil Meatballs
Spoiler alert – there’s no actual meat in these meatballs. But you won’t even miss it thanks to this hearty and healthy veggie version. Simply blend lentils with parsley, tomato, and oregano. Oats help them keep their shape as they’re baked to perfection. This dish is best enjoyed with noodles, plenty of sauce, and a big appetite.
5. Green Lentil Burgers
There’s more meatless fun on the menu with these green lentil burgers. They’re perfect for anyone following a plant-based diet. Yes, there are lots of lentil burger recipes out there, but this version is deliciously different. Tamari, ginger, and smoked paprika give these golden patties a touch of heat. Fry them until they’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, then serve with your favorite toppings. With these in your recipe book, you’ll host vegetarian BBQs all summer long!
6. Green Lentil Hummus
Everyone needs a good hummus recipe in their life. This one makes the culinary MVP list thanks to its savory, earthy flavor and simple prep. The classic hummus flavors are here – tahini, garlic, cumin – but it’s also highly adaptable. Mix it up with olives, hot peppers, and/or scallions. This is one time you’ll want to play with your food.
7. Green Lentil Loaf
If you think vegetarian meatloaf is dry, crumbly, and boring, I hear you. But the Simple Veganista developed this amazing lentil loaf to convert hungry haters. Packed with vegetables, flavored with fresh herbs, and topped with a tangy tomato glaze, this is to die for. You’ll make again and again until you forget that meatloaf is supposed to be for carnivores.
8. Green Lentils with Sweet Potato and Kale
If you’re ever invited to a vegetarian potluck and want to make lots of new friends, this is the dish to bring. Perfect for a crowd, it’s a satisfying stew of tender sweet potato chunks, peppery lentils, and baby kale. Serve with a dollop of plain yoghurt for swirled-in creaminess, add a dash of lemon, and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a peppery finish.
9. Green Lentil Dal
Lentils were made for curries. And this curry was made for meatless Mondays. An easy one-pot dish, it’s a tantalising blend of both Thai and Indian cuisine. With ingredients like green curry paste, ginger, turmeric, and coconut milk, every bowl is a flavorful fusion.
10. Carrot Lentil Muffins
You won’t taste the lentils in these sweet snacky muffins, but you will appreciate how moist and filling they are. Vegan and high in protein and fiber, this recipe is perfect for when you want to mix things up in the mornings but still send everyone out with a satisfying and healthy breakfast.
11. Lentil Couscous Stuffed Peppers
These Middle Eastern-inspired stuffed peppers are a world away from the usual veggie fare. Cooked lentils are mixed with fluffy, flavorful couscous and stuffed into a red bell pepper. Add feta, lemon, and fresh basil for the perfect light lunch or snack. Feeding a hungry crowd? No worries, you can dress them up at dinnertime by pairing with an herby green salad.
12. Lentil Nachos
And so we come to my personal favorite… lentil nachos. Lentils are subbed in for meat here and then topped with all the standard nacho ingredients we know and love. Gooey melted cheese, spicy seasonings, and crunchy tortilla chips are all present in this dish. It’s fun to throw together, on the table in minutes, and belly-filling, tastebud-pleasing good.
13. Lentil Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
The ultimate plant-based appetizer, these mushrooms are a substantial snack that’s both healthy and delicious. Lentils, garlic, onion, and carrot are paired with herbs de Provence and then spooned into roasted portobello mushrooms. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and garnish with parsley to serve.
14. Simple Braised French Green Lentils
This recipe may have the word ‘simple’ in the title, but don’t be fooled. The complex flavors in these braised lentils are anything but simple. Lentils are slow-cooked with carrot, onion, garlic, and celery until tender. Mustard, fresh thyme, and a splash of red wine vinegar add a piquant flavor. The result is a nourishing side that goes with anything. Enjoy with salmon, chicken, or (for vegetarian guests) baked tofu to turn this sumptuous side into a hearty main.
15. Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
How many vegetables can you put in one dish? This recipe hits an astounding 10, making it one of the healthiest and most satisfying casseroles out there. The flavorful veggie and lentil mix is topped with creamy, fluffy potatoes and then baked until browned. Leftovers store well and can be frozen for those times you want a homemade meal without the work. If there are any leftovers, that is.
16. Green Lentil Bolognese
Every time you make bolognese with store-bought sauce, an Italian weeps. Ok, maybe not, but it’s worth making this European favorite from scratch, especially with this easy and enticing recipe. The classic Italian comfort food goes vegetarian in this version, thanks to slowly simmered lentils and a rich tomato ragu. Caramelized veggies and sundried tomatoes add a hint of sweetness to perfectly complement the earthy, filling lentils. Add a splash (or two) of red wine and, as the Italians like to say, buon appetito!
17. Lentils and Rice
One-pot meal? Check. Healthy? Check. Amazingly yummy? Check! Check! Lentils and rice cook in the same pot here, and it’s a winning combo. Fresh herbs, butter, and broth do the heavy lifting on the flavor front while the lentils and rice give it depth. This savory side pairs well with chicken, fish, beef, or even just a green salad. Oh, and it’s good picnic fare, too. It’s hearty but light.
18. Lentil Banana Muffins
Lentils and kids don’t always go together, but little eaters are sure to love these sweet-tasting treats. Made with banana, vanilla, and cinnamon, these moist muffins are a guaranteed hit with your tiny taste-testers. Just don’t tell them they contain lentils. Childhood is hard enough.
19. Lentil Tacos
Proving that you can replace meat with lentils in almost any recipe, these vegetarian tacos are the perfect blend of nourishing and delicious. Spicy and so tasty, lentils are flavored with chili powder, garlic, cumin, and paprika to create a vegan-friendly southwestern snack. Load into warmed taco shells with fresh lettuce, salsa, jalapenos, and a spoonful of sour cream for the full gastronomic experience.
20. Mujadara
Mujadara is a three-ingredient Lebanese stew, bursting with the aromatic tastes of the Middle East. Lentils, rice, and caramelized onions are the only things you’ll need for this savory soup, flavored with lemony cumin for a zingy bite. It’s Lebanese vegan comfort food at its finest, traditionally served as a side but equally enjoyable as a filling and healthy main course.
21. Green Taco Wraps with Lentil Walnut Taco Meat
When is a lentil salad not a lentil salad? When it’s dressed up with sour cream and salsa, and served in a lettuce ‘wrap.’ Crunchy, creamy, and spicy, these taco wraps are ideal for healthy lunches or summer gatherings. Green lentils are flavored with cumin, oregano, and chili powder before being mixed with crunchy toasted walnuts and bell peppers. Spoon into a lettuce wrap, add some tasty toppings, and it’s a party on a plate.
22. Lentil Veggie Wraps
These wraps are not for wimps. Packed full of flavor and about a zillion vegetables (that’s only a slight exaggeration), they’re both healthy and filling. Lentils are combined with onion, garlic, fresh herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted broccoli, sweet potato, and spinach. Add zesty lemon tahini sauce and creamy mint hummus, then roll it all together in a soft tortilla. And if you’re gluten-free, you can skip the wraps. Just mix up the filling and enjoy a bowlful!
23. Apple Celery Lentil Salad
Tart apples and crunchy celery make friends with earthy green lentils in this unique salad. Tossed in a honey mustard dressing and served with walnuts, parsley and red onion, there’s a lot going on taste-wise, but it’s a good kind of busy. This one is tailor-made for backyard BBQs or summer brunches. Make enough to feed a crowd because you will attract one!
24. Walnut Lentil Pate
This nutritious snack is high in protein, healthy fats, and taste. It’s easy to throw together, too, with your food processor doing most of the work. Just blend together walnuts, shallots, garlic, and lentils to a creamy paste. Flavored with lemon, miso, and olive oil, it’s the perfect accompaniment to crackers, crusty bread, or vegetable crudites.
25. Lentil Chili
Feeding vegans can be a challenge, but don’t stress. This tasty lentil chili can be assembled and made ahead of time, so you’re not glued to the stove. Need it in a hurry? No problem. This recipe can be adapted for your Instant Pot, too. Meal planners will want to make a big batch. Leftovers will be good for up to 5 days and are arguably even tastier as the flavors get a chance to mingle and deepen. It can be frozen for up to 5 months, too, so you can keep the chili love going long after the bowls are licked clean.
26. Green Lentil Curry
This simple Indian curry is a breeze to pull together and makes a great flavorful meatless dinner. Suitable for either the stovetop, Instant Pot or slow cooker, this is an easy tomato-based curry made with coconut milk and traditional Indian spices like turmeric, coriander, and cumin. Protein-packed lentils make it extra satisfying, but if you need more, serve with buttery naan bread or a simple salad.
27. Green Lentil Pizza Crust
If you find it hard to get healthy food into your picky kids (or equally picky significant other!), this pizza is a must on your family menu. A sure-fit hit with fussy foodies, this inventive and irresistible recipe uses just three ingredients to make a healthy, gluten-free pizza crust. Lentils, water, and curry powder are all you’ll need to create a sturdy baked crust. Load it up with whatever toppings your heart (and stomach) desires and say goodbye to greasy fast food fare.
28. Lentil Spinach Soup
There are a lot of tasty surprises in this healthy vegan soup. Firstly, the fact that it’s rich and hearty but still meat-free. Secondly, the unexpected hit of zesty, bright lemon that somehow works with the rich veggie-laden broth. Fresh, flavorful, and fragrant, this is one winter warmer you’ll be tempted to make all summer long. Click on a star to rate it!
Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 1 No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
Share on social media: Let us improve this post!
