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    Home » Vegan Recipes

    Vegan Lentil Tacos

    Published Jun 29, 2020 · Updated Feb 1, 2021 · 1 Comment

    1.1K shares
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    This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. See my disclosure policy.

    JUMP TO RECIPE

    Whether it's Taco Tuesday or not, you need these vegan lentil tacos in your life! Top with an avocado crema or your favorite toppings.

    A close up of a vegan lentil taco topped with red onions, tomatoes, vegan cheese, and parsley.

    These vegan lentil tacos were one of the first deliberately meatless meals I made. It helped me realize that going vegan wasn't as scary as I perceived it to be - and could actually be super delicious.

    Lentils make a great beef substitute in a lot of dishes (like shepherd's pie) and they soak up flavor like no other.

    Ingredients for avocado crema on a wooden board

    Avocado Crema

    The original recipe (published back in 2018) included a recipe for avocado crema. Unfortunately, when I reshot and retested this recipe to update it, I couldn't include the avocado...because I developed an allergy to it. Fun! *sarcasm*

    Regardless, I still wanted to stick the recipe here for those interested. It's creamy and refreshing, perfect to atop spicy lentil tacos! Of course, vegan sour cream is always a winning taco-topper, too. Or nacho cheese!

    Avocado Crema Ingredients

    • 1 cup raw cashews (soaked and drained)
    • 1 ripe avocado, pitted and peeled
    • 1 garlic garlic powder
    • 1 lime, juiced

    Avocado Crema Instructions

    1. Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth and creamy.
    Ingredients for vegan lentil tacos in small bowls: tomato paste, soy sauce, taco seasoning, and lentils.

    Ingredients

    • Lentils: The best kind of lentils to use are either green or brown lentils. Avoid red lentils. Red lentils best for soup recipes - they kind of mush up and break apart easily, like split peas. Green or brown lentils hold their shape well.
    • Tomato paste: Adds flavor! Can be omitted.
    • Taco seasoning: Use your favorite! Or make homemade.
    • Soy sauce: Adds salt and an umami flavor. Can be omitted.
    • Toppings of your choice: Like vegan nacho cheese, lettuce, tomato, jalapenos, etc!
    Process steps for making tacos

    Instructions

    1. Stir the lentils, water, tomato paste, taco seasoning, and soy sauce together in a pot.
    2. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer.
    3. Cook until tender, about 20 minutes.
    4. If the lentils don't have enough kick for you, add some more taco seasoning. 

    Tips & Tricks

    Tender lentils: If all the liquid is soaked up and the lentils are still dry/crunchy, add a little more water.
    No-beef broth: Instead of water, cook the lentils in a broth made with no-beef bouillon. This will give your taco meat even more of a meaty flavor!

    Prepping & Storage

    This taco meat is an excellent recipe to meal prep! Enjoy with tacos, of course, or make nachos with it!

    Store your meal prepped or leftover lentils in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also make a big batch and freeze them for up to 3 months in an airtight container/bag!

    Hand holding a taco

    You can also make this recipe with homemade vegan ground beef. Or try black bean tacos!

    Did you enjoy this recipe? Please leave a comment and a ⭐ star review below!

    Close up of vegan tacos

    Vegan Lentil Tacos

    Karissa Besaw
    Super easy and flavorful vegan lentil tacos. You just need one pot and a handful of ingredients to make the lentil taco meat!
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Mexican, Vegan
    Servings 6
    Calories 144 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup dried lentils green or brown, NOT red
    • 3 cups water
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
    • 2 teaspoons soy sauce or salt to taste
    • 6 tortillas
    • toppings of your choice

    Instructions
     

    • Stir the lentils, water, tomato paste, taco seasoning, and soy sauce together in a pot.
    • Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer.
    • Cook until tender, about 20 minutes.
    • If the lentil taco meat doesn't have enough kick for you, add some more taco seasoning. 

    Notes

    *Nutrition information does not include tortillas.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 144kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 10gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 208mgPotassium: 404mgFiber: 12gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 134IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Vegan Recipes

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    about karissa

    About Karissa

    Hey! I’m happy you’re here! My name is Karissa and I’ve been cooking up delicious vegan food since going vegan in 2016. Not vegan and just want to eat more plants? We don't judge - everyone is welcome in our kitchen. Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Gail says

      July 03, 2021 at 4:01 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious and a family fav.

      Reply

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