Lentil Taco Salad Bowls (Vegan)

Lentil Taco Salad Bowls (Vegan)

Seasoned lentils make a simple delicious vegan substitute for taco meat in these homemade taco salad bowls.

Jump to Recipe

I like to keep simple and tasty meatless meal options in my back pocket. These lentil taco salad bowls are one of our favorites. The lentils make a perfect easy, budget friendly, and nutritious substitute for taco meat.

Lentils are high in protein and fiber as well as several other nutrients that make them a perfect substitute for meat that will still leave you very satisfied. Although lentils do have a different texture than ground beef I personally feel like they are a perfect addition to tacos.

My family’s preferred way to eat taco seasoned lentils is in a taco salad bowl made from a crispy baked tortilla bowl. If we ever have left over lentils I often use them to top nachos or add them to a quesadilla for extra flavor and nutrients.

Ingredients for Lentil Taco Salad Bowls

A small pot of lentils nexts to jars of taco seasonings.
  • 1 cup dry lentils
  • 3 cups water or broth
  • tacos seasonings (You can use a taco seasoning packet but I usually use the following list of seasonings.)
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • 1/2 tsp chili powder
    • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
    • 1/4 tsp onion powder
    • 1/4 tsp black pepper
    • 1 tsp salt
  • tortillas (For the taco bowl the bigger the tortilla the bigger you can make the bowl.)
  • lettuce
  • your favorite taco toppings
    • tomatoes
    • avocado
    • olives
    • salsa
    • cheese
    • sour cream
Taco seasoned lentils and taco salad toppings in separate bowls.

How to Make Taco-Seasoned Lentils

Add lentils to a fine strainer and rinse. Then put in a small pot and add seasonings and water.

a small hand mixing seasonings into a pot of water and lentils with a spoon.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer over medium low heat until the lentils are softened (about 30 minutes) adding extra water if need.

How to Make a Taco Salad Bowl

Tortillas shaped into glass bowls.

To prepare taco shells, shape the desired number of tortillas into bowls and bake in the oven at 350° F for 15 minutes or until the tortilla is golden and crispy all the way through.

Taco seasoned lentils and a spread of taco salad ingredients in separate bowls.

To assemble taco salads fill the base of the bowl with lettuce, then top with lentils and your other favorite taco toppings.

a taco salad bowl topped with lentils, avocado, tomatoes, and olives.
Lentil Taco salad bowl made from a toasted tortilla.

Lentil Taco Salad Bowls (Vegan)

Prep Time 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • tortillas
  • lettuce
  • 1 cup dry lentils
  • 3 cups water or broth

tacos seasonings

  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp chilli powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt

your favorite taco toppings

  • tomatoes
  • avocado
  • olives
  • salsa
  • cheese
  • sour cream

Instructions
 

How to Make Taco-Seasoned Lentils

  • Add lentils to a fine strainer and rinse. Then put in a small pot and add seasonings and water.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer over medium low heat until the lentils are softened (about 30 minutes) adding extra water if need.

How to Make a Taco Salad Bowl

  • To prepare taco shells, shape the desired number of tortillas into bowls and bake in the oven at 350° F for 15 minutes or until the tortilla is golden and crispy all the way through.

To assemble taco salads

  • fill the base of the bowl with lettuce, then top with lentils and your other favorite taco toppings.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating