15 Protein-Packed Recipes Where Lentils Stand In For Meat

Lentils are more than just for soups — there, we said it. While lentil soup is, no doubt, delicious, we think it’s also great to experiment with all the possibilities these little legumes have to offer. Lentils are a fabulous choice for when you’re eating on a budget and for when you need to cook something fast because, unlike beans, you don’t need to soak lentils before cooking them. They are also generally higher in protein and high in fiber so they keep you fuller longer. Not only that but because of their hearty texture, lentils make a wonderful substitute for meat in recipes of all kinds. You can use them to make meat sauces like this Hearty Lentil Broccoli Bolognese or this Lentil and Mushroom Ragu or meaty burgers like this Foolproof Mega Lentil Burger.

Just as there are lentils of all kinds, there are different uses for different types of lentils. Red lentils get mushy when cooked, so they’re good for soups, stews, and chilis. Brown, French, and black or beluga lentils hold their shape when cooked so they’re good in veggie meatballs, burgers, or any other recipe where you want a chunky texture.

Ready for recipes? We’re right there with you. Try these 15 awesome recipes from our Food Monster App where lentils are the perfect stand-in for meat.

1. Lentil, Walnut, and Millet Meatballs

Source: Lentil, Walnut, and Millet Meatballs

If you’ve ever had meatballs made from seitan, textured vegetable protein, or even tofu, you know that it’s possible to make delicious meatless meatballs. But did you know, you can make meaty and hearty meatballs from legumes, grains, and nuts? It’s true! Molly Patrick‘s Lentil, Walnut, and Millet Meatballs are combined with onions, tomato paste, spices, and herbs for flavor, and then baked until brown and crispy. Toss these meatballs on a blanket of spinach leaves and brown rice pasta, add some cashew cheese if your heart desires it, and dig in.

2. Hearty Lentil and Brown Rice Burgers

Source: Hearty Lentil and Brown Rice Burgers

The challenge that most run into when it comes to making homemade veggie burger patties is that they tend to quickly fall apart. The great thing about Sonnet Lauberth‘s Hearty Lentil and Brown Rice Burgers is that they hold together surprisingly well. They are hearty, flavorful, and go well with barbecue sauce or any of your other favorite burger toppings. If you don’t own a barbecue, they can be cooked in a pan on the stovetop for an easy weeknight meal.

3. Cranberry Lentil Loaf With Maple Glaze

Source: Cranberry Lentil Loaf With Maple Glaze

Lindsay Cotter‘s gluten-free Cranberry Lentil Loaf With Maple Glaze is so delicious, yet it’s super easy to make. Black lentils create a meaty, hearty base speckled with chia seeds, vegetables, and bright red cranberries that provide a burst of flavor. It’s finished off with a sweet maple-mustard glaze that’s like icing on the cake … err, loaf.

4. Harira Soup With Hummus Pitas

Source: Harira Soup With Hummus Pitas

Bridge Rose‘s Harira Soup With Hummus Pitas is so hearty, it’s pretty much a stew — and unlike the original Moroccan recipe, this one doesn’t need meat to taste meaty! Lentils, rice, and chickpeas get the job done. If you want some extra spice, feel free to throw in cayenne pepper or minced chili pepper, then serve with the pitas and hummus to make it a complete meal.

5. Lentil Apricot Tapenade With Curry Aioli

Source: Lentil Apricot Tapenade With Curry Aioli

Traditional tapenade calls for anchovies, but Amy Height‘s Lentil Apricot Tapenade With Curry Aioli swaps them out with lentils and still keeps all the flavor. Hearty Beluga lentils are stirred together with chopped almonds and apricots and then combined with a creamy curried aioli sauce.  The punch of onion and the sweetness of the apricot, plus the crunch of almonds, dress up this versatile legume beautifully.

6. Cheesy Lentil Lasagna

Source: Cheesy Lentil Lasagna

Margaret‘s Cheesy Lentil Lasagna has layers of hearty lentil Bolognese, creamy cashew cheese, and pasta. And if you make a few key ingredients ahead of time, like the lentils and the nut cheese, you can assemble this dish in mere minutes. Yum!

7. Black Lentil Chili With Pico de Gallo and Shoestring Fries

Source: Black Lentil Chili With Pico de Gallo and Shoestring Fries

Stephanie McKinnie‘s Black Lentil Chili With Pico de Gallo and Shoestring Fries is the epitome of comfort food and is packed with a whole lot of roasted pepper and tomato goodness. It’s perfect on its own or you can dress it up with yummy crispy shoestring fries and an incredible, crunchy, and colorful veggie Pico de Gallo that adds a fresh quality to the mix. You can eat this chili with chips or add it to quesadillas, burritos, tacos, and salads. Yum!

8. BBQ Lentil Muffins

Source: BBQ Lentil Muffins

Whether you’re serving them for lunch or as a game-day appetizer, Judy Moosmueller‘s savory BBQ Lentil Muffins are a guaranteed hit. They are easy to make, gluten-free, nut-free, low in fat, and full of protein since they’re made from lentils, millet flour, and flax meal. Chopped veggies and corn add color and flavor a rich barbecue sauce stirred into the batter makes each bite taste like a mini meatloaf — without the meat.

9. Lentil Enchilada Pasta

Source: Lentil Enchilada Pasta

This Lentil Enchilada Pasta by Jasmine Briones has all the comfort of enchiladas and a pasta dish with a light and fresh touch from the greens and avocados. Tomatoes, hot spices, and lentils are combined in a sauce that’s “meaty” and savory. This inventive take on pasta is perfect to take with you to potlucks, where it’ll be the first dish to disappear.

10. Lentil and Bell Pepper Sloppy Joes

Source: Lentil and Bell Pepper Sloppy Joes

Quelcy Kogel‘s Lentil and Bell Pepper Sloppy Joes are healthier than the originals yet still fill you with all of the comforts of childhood. Lentils pack enough meaty flavor to make these sloppy joes taste like the real thing, bell peppers add another layer of texture, and the thick tomato paste makes it deliciously saucy. Use organic ketchup to avoid excess corn syrup and sugar and then dig in!

11. Scotch ‘Egg’

Source: Scotch Egg

A Scotch egg usually consists of a hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and baked or deep-fried. Florian Nouh‘s recipe has taken the spirit of the Scotch Egg and made it vegan. It is a delicious powerhouse for your body. Not only are these treats oil-free but you also get a lot of protein from the lentils. This dish tastes like comfort food but in actuality is good for you.

12. Lentil and Mushroom Stuffed Onions

Source: Lentil and Mushroom Stuffed Onions

These Lentil and Mushroom Stuffed Onions by Jasmine Briones are so simple, but so flavorful, and so delicious. Instead of ground meat, these white onions are stuffed with a savory mixture of lentils, chickpeas, red onion, and mushrooms that are puréed until crumbly. Then, they are baked until the onion halves are crispy around the edges and pleasantly sweet, savory, and a little tangy. These may be a side dish, but guests will be scrambling for them like they’re the main course.

13. Homestyle Meaty Tomato Sauce With Lentils and Walnuts

Source: Homestyle Meaty Tomato Sauce With Lentils and Walnuts

This Homestyle Meaty Tomato Sauce With Lentils and Walnuts by Renee Press is a universal crowd pleaser, with few ingredients (and easy-to-find ones at that), you simply set it on the stove and let it simmer away until serving. Earthy and hearty this is a go-to sauce for spaghetti, as a filling for vegan lasagna, or spooned over steamed veggies. The walnuts give a significant boost of healthy fats, oils, and protein while lending a “meatiness” and flavor that is unsurpassed. This recipe makes quite a large batch, so feel free to halve it or freeze some for a later date.

14. American Chop Suey

Source: American Chop Suey

American Chop Suey is an Italian-influenced pasta dish that got its start in the Northeast U.S. The original recipe calls for ground beef, but Crissy Cavanaugh‘s recipe uses red lentils cooked in vegetable broth with plenty of seasoning to make it savory. Quick, easy, and comforting, it’s easy to make a big batch of this and eat it throughout the week.

15. Lentil Tacos

Source: Lentil Tacos

One of the reasons tacos are so popular is the endless possibilities of fillings and flavors that can be added. Heather Poire‘s Lentil Tacos are packed with meaty Spanish Paradina lentils instead of ground meat and seasoned with smoked paprika, chipotle seasoning, liquid smoke, and lime juice to make it smoky, spicy, and tangy. The addition of caramelized onions makes it sweet, but not overpoweringly sweet — essentially, these simple tacos are bursting with flavor for how little effort goes into making them.

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