Vegetarian Lentil Taco Meat Filling Substitute Crock Pot
Transform your taco night with this hearty and flavorful Vegetarian Lentil Taco Meat Filling, made effortlessly in a crock pot. Packed with protein-rich brown or green lentils, vibrant vegetables like onions, green bell peppers, and diced tomatoes, and a bold blend of spices including chili powder, cumin, and paprika, this meat-free filling delivers all the satisfying textures and smoky flavors you crave. Slow-cooked to perfection for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, it’s a versatile and healthy alternative to traditional taco meat. Ready in just minutes of prep time, this plant-based taco filling is perfect for stuffing into taco shells, wrapping in tortillas, or piling onto nachos or salads. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a zesty finishing touch, and enjoy a deliciously easy, vegan-friendly twist on taco night!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Dry brown or green lentils (rinsed and drained)
- 2.5 cups Vegetable broth
- 1 cup Diced onion
- 1 cup Diced green bell pepper
- 1 can (14.5 oz) Diced tomatoes (canned, with juices)
- 2 cloves Minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons Chili powder
- 1.5 teaspoons Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro (chopped, optional for garnish)
Instructions
1. Prepare the ingredients by rinsing and draining the lentils, chopping the onion, green bell pepper, and garlic, and gathering the spices and other items.
2. Add the lentils, vegetable broth, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, diced tomatoes with juices, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes into the crock pot.
3. Stir everything together to combine well.
4. Drizzle the olive oil over the mixture and stir again to ensure even distribution.
5. Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, until the lentils are fully tender and the mixture thickens to a meat-like consistency.
6. Once cooked, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Optionally, stir in fresh chopped cilantro just before serving.
7. Serve the lentil taco filling warm with taco shells, tortillas, lettuce cups, or as a topping for nachos or salads. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
820 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 22.2 g | 28% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.7 g | 18% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 4746 mg | 206% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 127.9 g | 47% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 37.5 g | 134% | |
| Total Sugars | 36.1 g | ||
| Protein | 37.5 g | 75% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 324 mg | 25% | |
| Iron | 17.0 mg | 94% | |
| Potassium | 3385 mg | 72% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
