By Lisa Esile, MS,
Last Updated:Quick-cooking, shelf-stable, nutritious, and affordable, lentils are a tour de force in the kitchen. The rich, earthy flavor and meaty texture of these mighty legumes make them a standout ingredient in savory dishes of all kinds. Here are 23 of our favorite vegan lentil recipes. Oil-free and packed with whole-food ingredients, they’re fabulously healthy, too.
To learn how to select, cook, and store different varieties of lentils, check out our handy guide.
Lentil Minestrone
Brown lentils give this toothsome minestrone soup a rich depth of flavor that far exceeds what you’d expect. Zucchini and kale add green goodness and whole grain macaroni elbows slide across your palate in the most delicious way. This lentil recipe is easily adaptable, so feel free to use any other vegetables you have on hand. A reader shares: “Easy, delicious, and reheats well.”
Fragrant Kidney Bean Lentil Dal
This standout stew from Dreena Burton uses red lentils to create a thick and creamy dal base. Kidney beans add bulk while a tantalizing blend of orange juice, fresh ginger, and warming spices make this vegan lentil recipe something special. Serve as it is, or with brown rice, other grains, over a baked potato, and/or with naan bread.
Mediterranean Lentil and Spinach Soup
Brown lentils are superheroes when it comes to producing a deeply flavorful base for soups and stews. Here, fresh tomatoes, zucchini, and just-cooked spinach balance out the earthy flavor of the lentils, giving this soup a lightness that makes it a great year-round meal. A reader notes: “Absolutely wonderful! I’m so glad I made a lot of it!”
Curried Tomato-Lentil Stew
Featuring carrot, tomato, and lentils, this is a great basic stew that’s easy to adapt to what you have on hand. Brown lentils do double duty: Half get pureed to make a thick and gravy-like sauce, while the other half are left whole. Shares a reader: “Delicious! Make it regularly.”
Red Lentil Chili
“This is my family’s all-time favorite chili,” writes recipe creator Chef AJ. Mildly spicy, sweetened with dates, and featuring red lentils, bell pepper, diced tomatoes, this hearty chili is comfort food at its best. Bonus: Cooked in an Instant Pot or other pressure cooker, it’s an easy lentil recipe that's ready in just 30 minutes.
Clean-Your-Pantry Lentil-Vegetable Stew
This richly flavored stew transforms leftover veggies into a meal to remember with the help of your favorite seasonings and dried lentils and beans from your pantry. Don't be surprised if you find yourself coming back to this recipe again and again; it's so adaptable!
Harvest Vegetable Casserole with Lentils and Gravy
In this festive casserole, brown lentils sit beneath a layer of just-tender veggies that are then baked in a very hot oven until crispy. Add mushroom gravy, pine nuts, parsley, and dried cranberries for a main dish worthy of any celebration table. Reports one reader: “My husband (reformed bacon eater) made this for our Thanksgiving and it was delicious! Family super impressed and all enjoyed it.”
Easy Green Lentils in the Instant Pot
This simple vegan lentil recipe transforms dried green lentils into a deeply satisfying meal in no time; all you need are a few basics such as canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, celery, and carrot. Serve with your favorite grain or over a baked potato. This recipe is low-budget but high-flavor!
Polenta Lasagna with Kale and Lentils
No pasta or meat is required for this gluten-free, vegan twist on traditional lasagna. Instead, layers of creamy, Italian-seasoned polenta nestle between tangy marinara sauce bursting with kale and hearty brown lentils. Notes one reader: “This dish is best served the second day. It allows the polenta to set up then, when cut, it slices cleanly like a layered cake. Looks impressive!”
Lentil Sloppy Joes
These guilt-free vegan sloppy Joes are the ultimate comfort food. Fire-roasted tomatoes add a hit of smokiness to a base of brown lentils, while seasonings such as Dijon mustard, soy sauce, and chili powder round out the flavor profile. Writes a fan: “Our 4-year-old loves it! … It’s quick enough for a weeknight with a little planning ahead to get it started.”
Lentil Burger Lettuce Wraps
Packed with wholesome goodness, these mouthwatering lentil-veggie patties are an ideal family meal. Whole wheat flour is used to bind them, and baking powder is all it takes to keep them light and fluffy. Top with a dollop of oil-free parsley-lemon hummus and serve on fresh, crisp lettuce leaves. Delish!
Green Lentil Pancakes with Sriracha Sour Cream
Green lentils and riced broccoli help make a moist and flavorful fritter. A drizzle of spicy vegan sour cream is the perfect complement to the rustic-style patties. Ketchup would also work. Serve this delectable vegan lentil recipe for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Tortilla Roll-Ups with Lentils and Spinach
Ready in 20 minutes, these tasty wraps make a quick meal, hearty snack, or handheld appetizer. The secret ingredient is ras el hanout, a classic North African spice blend, which lends a warm and rich flavor. Add spinach and hummus, and voilà! You’re done. One reader says it all: “No one in my family asked what was in this and they cleaned their plates … not a speck was leftover.… This is a keeper. Easy peasy too!”
Vegan Spaghetti Marinara with Lentil Balls
Rated one of our most popular recipes of 2021, these family-friendly vegan “meatballs” will impress young and old. The combination of “meaty” lentil-mushroom balls slathered in marinara sauce on a bed of whole grain spaghetti is too good to resist, vegan or not! One reader writes, “I loved this and so did my picky Italian husband!“
Hearty Lentil Ragu with Penne
The meaty flavor of lentils makes them an ideal stand-in for meat in this vegan twist on an Italian classic. Quick and easy, absolutely delicious, and packed with everyday ingredients such as onion, carrot, and celery, this is a great lentil recipe for beginners and experienced cooks alike.
Lentil-Walnut Pâté
Making your own vegan pâté is a breeze! Just combine cooked brown lentils with walnuts and sautéed onion and garlic; then blend. Writes a fan: “We find it tastier than the meat pâtés we used to eat!” Don’t you just love it when a vegan recipe is healthier, better tasting, and quicker than the traditional recipe?!
Loaded Lentil Nachos
Beat the munchies with a plate of loaded vegan nachos. The sturdy crunch of home-baked corn tortillas contrasts deliciously with a succulent mix of taco-seasoned lentils, pico de gallo, and a “cheesy” vegan white sauce made with potatoes. Yum!
Vegan Stuffed Peppers with Lentils and Herbed Rice
In these beautiful stuffed bell peppers, black lentils and brown rice form a sticky, earthy center while raisins, fresh mint, and dill add tantalizing Mediterranean flavor. Before serving, drizzle the juice from the pan over the top for a totally crave-worthy vegan lentil recipe.
Green Lentil Spoon Salad
Cooked green lentils hold their shape and quickly add heft to any salad. Here, they’re tossed with riced broccoli, toasted pepitas, greens, fresh herbs, and a just-sweet-enough oil-free lemon dressing for a yummy, texturally rich salad. Notes a reader: “This is fabulous! Made it for supper and it was devoured. … This is going to be a regular salad for us!”
Red Lentil Loaf with Smoky Tomato Sauce Recipe
There’s something wonderful about a good savory loaf, and this red lentil loaf doesn’t disappoint. Cornmeal and short grain brown rice give extra bulk and stickiness. For extra oomph, drizzle with the smoky, date-sweetened tomato sauce just before serving.
Spinach-Apricot Salad with Spiced Lentils
In this show-stopping side salad, brown lentils and chickpeas are coated in a dressing fragrant with allspice, cinnamon, lemon, and fresh mint. “The flavors were amazing,” writes a fan, adding, “I’m not adventurous so this was a big leap out of my comfort zone and I am so glad I tried it! It is on my rotation now!”
Plum-Spinach Salad with Curried Lentils
You’ll enjoy every forkful of this sensational salad. Crispy curried lentils contrast perfectly with fresh plums and a tangy citrus vinaigrette while walnuts (or pumpkin seeds) lend a nutty richness. Writes a fan: “So good and so easy! Love it.”
Ribboned Zucchini Salad with Lentils and Creamy Turmeric Dressing
This 15-minute ribboned zucchini salad looks impressive and is a nice change from leafy greens. Throw in cooked brown lentils for extra bulk, tomato for tang, and green onion for extra flavor. Top it all off with a creamy turmeric dressing, then devour.
About the Author
About the Author
Lisa Esile, MS
As an author, Do Nothing meditation instructor, and wellness coach, Lisa Esile combines her love for food and nutrition with her mental health background and delights in helping people find a stress-free way to make lasting lifestyle changes. Esile has a master’s degree in human nutrition and is the co-author/illustrator of Whose Mind Is It Anyway? Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life. Learn more at lisaesile.com.
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