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.

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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

Method
 

How to Make Taco-Seasoned Lentils
  1. Add lentils to a fine strainer and rinse. Then put in a small pot and add seasonings and water.
  2. 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
  1. 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
  1. fill the base of the bowl with lettuce, then top with lentils and your other favorite taco toppings.


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