50 Vegan Lentil Recipes: Burgers, Soups, Salad & More!
These delicious vegan lentil recipes are a great way to learn how to incorporate more of this incredible plant-based protein into your diet. Lentils are low fat, high protein, full of fibre and super versatile…what’s not to love?
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There are lots of different types of lentils that will appear in this list. Let’s run through them all, so you know the differences.
Brown Lentils: This popular type of lentil holds its shape well and has a nutty flavor. It works well in a nice vegan meatloaf, or to add some texture to a vegetable soup.
Green Lentils: Green lentils are one of the lentils that holds its shape best – that’s why it’s a good one to use in salads. These have a slightly more peppery flavor than brown lentils
Red Lentils/Yellow Lentils: These are the lentils you are probably familiar with from dahls and other curry. They are not sold as whole lentils, rather they are ‘split’, so they break down into a mush. Also great for thick hearty soups.
Speciality Lentils (beluga, puy): These are the fancy kind! Beluga lentils (aka black lentils) take their name from their resemblance to the caviar of beluga whales.
They are rich and earthy in flavor. Puy lentils are another speciality variety of lentils, so named after the fact that they can only be grown in the volcanic earth of a certain region of France.
So those are the kinds of lentils you can expect to find, but what kind of dishes are we talking about?
I have split this list into 4 categories: starters and snacks, soups and stews, pasta recipes and ‘other’ (where you can find a bit of everything from patties, to tacos to pancakes!)
Enjoy the delicious flavors that lentil recipes have to offer!
The list of vegan lentil recipes!
Let’s get into the list! Are you ready to discover some delicious new recipes?
Vegan lentil recipes: snacks/starters
1. Mushroom Vegan Pate Recipe
Protein: 3g
Calories: 122kcal
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: YumVeganLunchIdeas
Bonus: quick, simple, healthy and delicious
This rich and earthy mushroom vegan pate is delicous, savoury and deep in flavour. It is the perfect starter or accompaniment to a sharing platter.
2. Vegetable Kabab: Vegan & Gluten Free
Protein: 4g
Calories: 112kcal
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: EasyCookingWithMolly
Bonus: incredibly easy, tasty and satisfying
Vegetable Kabab (Vegan & Glutenfree – Fried, Baked Version, Air Fryer) delicious, easy and extremely popular Indian snack, is made using mixed vegetables, lentil, and a few spices. They are excellent to serve with drinks or any of your party. The mixture can be frozen for up to 2 weeks.
3. Beluga Lentil Caviar
Protein: 1g
Calories: 34kcal
Ready in: 1 hour (prep time 10 minutes)
Recipe by: ChampagneTastes
Bonus: rich, flavorful
This vegan-friendly Beluga Lentil Caviar recipe features black beluga lentil salad served on top of crackers with cream cheese, and is the perfect cold weather appetizer for your dinner party!
4. Broccoli and Onion Vegetable Pakora
Protein: 4g
Calories: 72kcal
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: PlantBasedOnABudget
Bonus: simple, gluten-free
Simple and flavorful vegan pakora (spiced chickpea flour fritters) using just a handful of ingredients (including broccoli and onion – but the veggies are versatile), are easy to make, baked or air-fried rather than fried, naturally gluten-free, and ready in under 30 minutes!
5. Red Lentil Hummus Dip
Protein: 4g
Calories: 72kcal
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: PlantBasedOnABudget
Bonus: simple, gluten-free
Simple and flavorful vegan pakora (spiced chickpea flour fritters) using just a handful of ingredients (including broccoli and onion – but the veggies are versatile), are easy to make, baked or air-fried rather than fried, naturally gluten-free, and ready in under 30 minutes!
Vegan Lentil Recipes: Salads
6. Fitness Lentil Bean Salad
Bonus: quick, delicious, super nutritious, healthy recipe
Fitness Lentil Bean Salad. Ridiculously high in protein post-workout salad. 40g per bowl. Ready in 7 minutes. Tasty and effective.
7. Turkish Lentil Salad
Bonus: quick, easy, tasty and so healthy!
Turkish Lentil Salad with a honey mustard dressing. Easy and quick, ready in 7 minutes. Full of fiber, protein and vitamin K.
8. Arugula Lentil Salad From Heaven
Bonus: delicious, quick, easy, healthy and so good
High protein, iron and fibre in exotic Arugula and Lentil Salad that’s healthy and vegan. Only 12 minutes to make with easy to find ingredients. Check out the recipe card now!
Ingredients
- ¾ cups cashews (¾ cups = 100 g)
- 1 onion
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 chili / jalapeño
- 5-6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 3 slices wholegrain bread (whole wheat)
- 1 cup brown lentils, cooked (1 cup = 1 / 15oz / 400 g)
- 1 handful arugula/rocket (1 handful = 100 g)
- 1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Roast the cashews on a low heat for about three minutes in a pan to maximize aroma. Then throw them into the salad bowl.¾ cups cashews
- Dice up and fry the onion in one third of the olive oil for about 3 minutes on a low heat.1 onion, 3 tbsp olive oil
- Meanwhile chop the chilli/jalapeño and dried tomatoes. Add them to the pan and fry for another 1-2 minutes.1 chili / jalapeño, 5-6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- Cut the bread into big croutons.3 slices wholegrain bread
- Move the onion mix into a big bowl. Now add the rest of the oil to the pan and fry the chopped up bread until crunchy. Season with salt and pepper.Salt and pepper to taste
- Wash the arugula and add it to the bowl. Add the raisins and a drop of honey (or agave nectar).1 handful arugula/rocket, 1 small handful raisins, 1 tsp honey
- Put the lentils in too, and mix them all around. Season with salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar. Serve with the croutons.1 cup brown lentils, cooked, 1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Super tasty!
Nutrition
9. Lentil Tabbouleh
Bonus: high protein, healthy
Looking for an easy tabbouleh recipe? Get a load of our lentil tabbouleh – a protein packed take on the classic dish!
10. Lentil Quinoa Salad
Bonus: superfood, super filling
In this superfood salad brown lentils and quinoa are jazzed up with crunchy almonds, tangy olives and creamy avocado.
11. Vegan Lentil and Potato Salad
Bonus: hearty, delicious
This protein packed vegan lentil and potato salad is a perfect weight loss recipe (if you like this, why not check out our fave low calorie salad recipes too). It’s filling, healthy and nutritious, while still tasting amazing!
12. Sweet Potato Noodles With Lentils
Protein: 14.8g
Calories: 414kcal
Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: DownShiftology
Bonus: delicious, nutritious and full of health benefits salad
Sweet potato noodles salad is a combination of spiralized sweet potato noodles, cabbage, lentils, sautéed onions and Swiss chard. It’s topped off with fresh herbs, toasted pine nuts and a zesty Dijon vinaigrette.
13. Lentil Salad With Brussels Sprouts
Protein: 18g
Calories: 435kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: CarolinesCooking
Bonus: quick, amazingly delicious and healthy salad
This easy warm or cold salad is a tasty combination of lentils, roast veggies, roast grapes and an easy dressing. Great as a side or main in itself.
14. BBQ Lentil Power Bowls
Protein: 16g
Calories: 334kcal
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: VeggieInspired
Bonus: full of nutrition, flavorful
High protein lentils, caramelized roasted veggies, crunchy coleslaw, tangy BBQ sauce – these Power Bowls have it all! Texture and flavor dynamite! And they’re so easy to make…perfect for a weeknight meal!
15. Costco Copycat Quinoa Salad
Protein: 9g
Calories: 355kcal
Ready in: 1 hour 15 mins (prep 15 mins)
Recipe by: PlatingsAndPairings
Bonus: refreshing, party perfect
Make this copycat Costco Quinoa Salad at home for a healthy, hearty, and delicious grain-based salad studded with fresh veggies and fresh lemon dressing.
16. Lentil Salad with Miso Dressing
Protein: 10g
Calories: 233kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: DebraKlein
Bonus: oil free, speedy
This vegan lentil salad is easy to make, highly nutritious, absolutely delicious and beautiful too. No oil mustard miso dressing whisks together quickly for a complete meal in under 30 minutes (quick veggie meals are the way to go!).
17. Buddha Bowl with Kale & Lentils
Protein: 13g
Calories: 430kcal
Ready in: 1 hour 5 minutes
Recipe by: TheHonorSystem
Bonus: gluten-free, healthy
This Vegan Buddha Bowl recipe features the most luscious lemon tahini dressing. It is a delicious gluten-free grain bowl with a rainbow of vegetables. Perfect for healthy meal prep.
Vegan lentil recipes: soups/stews
18. Creamy Coconut Curry Lentil Soup
Bonus: easy, healthy and nutritious soup
Follow our foolproof simple cooking steps for the perfect coconut curry lentil soup. Packed with protein, fiber and a high-summer taste!
19. Sexy Vegan Lentil Stew
Bonus: tasty, nutritious and full of health benefits, can be stored for a while in the fridge
The sexiest lentil stew you have ever eaten. A nutritional powerhouse, this recipe is here to kickstart your year – and your health.
20. Meatless Chili Sin Carne
Bonus: tasty, spicy and healthy meal, can be stored for a while in the fridge
Who said meat-free recipes can’t deliver? This meatless (aka vegan) chili proves that you can still enjoy your favourite meals, but in a new, animal-friendly way.
21. Curried Butternut Squash and Coconut Soup
Bonus: quick, healthy, tasty and satisfying soup
Easy Curried Butternut Squash and Coconut Soup. A delicious blend of coconut sweetness and curried squash make this an absolute fall treat.
22. Creamy Vegan Cauliflower Soup
Bonus: simple, spiced
A beautiful vegan soup starring cauliflower and lentils, spiced with a taste of Morocco. High in protein, works for lunch or dinner. Another delicious vegan lentil soup.
23. Lentil Vegetable Soup
Bonus: healthy, full of fibre
Looking for a healthy vegan soup to add to your repertoire? This lentil vegetable soup is the perfect option! In my opinion this the best lentil soup recipe I’ve found!
24. Quick and Damn Tasty Dahl
Bonus: quick, tasty and full of flavour
A simple and delicious recipe for a classic dahl. Full of fragrant spices like cinnamon, curry powder. Serve with a dollop of soy yoghurt.
25. Vegan Creamy Lentil Chickpea Soup
Protein: 7g
Calories: 214kcal
Ready in: 40 minutes (just 5 minutes to prep)
Recipe by: StaceyHomeMaker
Bonus: quick preparation, easy, delicious and full of health benefits,
This creamy vegan lentil chickpea soup is loaded with tender artichokes, protein and fiber-rich legumes, spinach, and the most flavorful golden broth (if that sounds tasty to you, you need to try our vegan chickpea recipes too).
This easy to make soup is made in one pot and it’s ready in 40 minutes! Vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
26. Pumpkin Lentil Chili
Protein: 9g
Calories: 242kcal
Ready in: 45 minutes (just 10 minutes prep)
Recipe by: VeggieInspired
Bonus: healthy, nutritious, spicy and so tasty
Pumpkin Lentil Chili – the perfect balance of sweet and spicy in this hearty vegetarian chili.
27. Sweet Potato Lentil Soup
Protein: 7g
Calories: 214kcal
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: HappyKitchenRocks
Bonus: creamy but light
Gluten free, vegan sweet potatoes and lentil soup is a healthy and tasty meal that will satisfy both your hunger and your tastebuds.
28. Roasted Carrot and Lentil Soup
Protein: 9g
Calories: 242kcal
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: HappyKitchenRocks
Bonus: smokey, delicious
Easy and delicious Vegan Roasted Carrot Soup with lentils and Moroccan spices. This velvety, rich and healthy carrot soup has a unique and perfectly balanced flavor!
29. Umbrian Lentil Soup with Pasta
Protein: 21.5g
Calories: 509kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: ThePastaProject
Bonus: simple, hearty
An easy and nutritious traditional one-pot vegetarian/vegan pasta and lentil soup recipe from Umbria in Central Italy. An authentic Italian pasta recipe.
30. Lentil Tortilla Soup
Protein: 17g
Calories: 381kcal
Ready in: 3 hours (prep 15 mins)
Recipe by: EasyChickpeasy
Bonus: creamy, smoky
This lentil tortilla soup is creamy and hearty while also tasting surprisingly fresh. This easy and healthy soup gets its creamy factor from coconut milk, and its protein from lentils and beans. The smoky, savory flavor this soup has without any meat is unbeatable!
31. Brown Lentil Dahl
Protein: 20g
Calories: 400kcal
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: ForkfulOfPlants
Bonus: high protein, freezeable
Deliciously spiced lentils and cauliflower come together to make this hearty brown lentil dahl, with a thick and creamy gravy. Filled with fiber and protein, it’s an ideal vegan freezer filler which is super simple to make.
32. Dal Khichdi and Kachumber Salad
Bonus: gluten-free, simple
Dal khichdi is a great weight loss dinner! It’s healthy, light but still filling, and a source of complete protein. Try it now!
Vegan Lentil Recipes: Pasta
33. Vegan Lentil Bolognese
Bonus: comforting, healthy
Love a good bolognese but trying to eat less meat? Try our healthy, plant-based lentil bolognese – you’ll never look back!
34. Vegan Lentil Lasagna
Protein: 17g
Calories: 546kcal
Ready in: 1 hour 30 minutes
Recipe by: AlineMade
Bonus: creamy, delicious
The best vegan lentil lasagna with béchamel sauce – an absolute dream for all lasagna fans! Try this easy recipe and learn how to make vegan lasagna!
35. Vegan Gnocchi Bake
Protein: 15g
Calories: 401kcal
Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes
Recipe by: RainbowNourishments
Bonus: wholesome, comfort food
Vegan gnocchi bake with a lentil bolognese sauce and creamy bechamel sauce! This baked gnocchi is easy to make and the perfect vegan comfort food.
36. Lentil Bolognese
Protein: 25g
Calories: 386kcal
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: TheVeganLarder
Bonus: cheap, simple
This basic (but really very brilliant) Vegan Lentil Bolognese recipe is a staple in our kitchen. Lentils are not only delicious, they’re cheap, filling, full of protein and incredibly versatile, and have a lovely meaty texture that just works in this classic vegan version of Bolognese sauce.
Other vegan lentil recipes
37. Lentil Patties
Bonus: mega quick, healthy, versatile and delicious meal
These awesome high-protein vegetarian lentil patties can be used as lentil burgers or fritters. A flax egg binds them together.
38. Lentil Tacos
Bonus: quick, healthy, spicy and super tasty! 😉
These veggie lentil tacos are our new go-to meal. SO TASTY and stacked with lentil protein and fiber, it’s time to take dinner up to the next level.
39. Fluffy Vegan Protein Pancakes
Protein: 4g
Calories: 115kcal
Ready in: 10 minutes
Recipe by: MyPurePlants
Bonus: super quick, easy, delicious and rich in protein breakfast
Hiding red lentils in this protein pancake recipe will give you highly nutritious, light and fluffy vegan protein pancakes. Not to mention gluten-free.
40. Lentil Risotto with Butternut Squash
Protein: 18g
Calories: 506 kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes (5 minutes prep)
Recipe by: VeganOnBoard
Bonus: healthy, delicious and quick
Can’t decide whether to make risotto or dal for dinner? Have the best of both dishes with this flavoursome and protein rich one-pot butternut squash and lentil risotto.
41. Lentil Tacos with Smashed Avocado
Protein: 2g
Calories: 31kcal
Ready in: 10 minutes
Recipe by: LifeCurrentsBlog
Bonus: super fast, easy, healthy and so delicious
These Easy Lentil Tacos with Smashed Avocado are so good. The filling comes together in about 5 minutes, and is loaded with flavor. They’re super healthy, loaded with good for you protein, fiber, and veggies! These vegan, gluten free tacos will be a family favorite for taco Tuesday, or any day!
42. Lentil Pizza Crust
Protein: 18g
Calories: 248kcal
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: ThisHealthyKitchen
Bonus: quick easy, healthy and so delicious pizza recipe 🙂
For a protein packed pizza alternative give this lentil pizza crust a try. It delivers big flavour, delicious crunch, and is free from gluten.
43. Vegan Lentil Wraps
Protein: 10g
Calories: 288kcal
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: LittleSunnyKitchen
Bonus: fast, fresh, healthy and so delicious
Vegan lentil wraps made with a fresh salad, and dill yogurt sauce. They are healthy, filling, dairy free, nut free with a gluten-free option available. They are perfect for lunch boxes, picnics, or to be served as a main dish for lunch or dinner.
44. Baked Red Lentil Quinoa Fritters
Protein: 7g
Calories: 173kcal
Ready in: 45 minutes (just 20 minutes prep)
Recipe by: VeggieInspired
Bonus: easy, healthy and nutritious
Red Lentil Quinoa Fritters – spiced with turmeric, cumin and a touch of cinnamon, these crispy fritters are oil free and baked, not fried. An easy, high protein, meatless dinner that will delight your senses.
45. Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
Protein: 25g
Calories: 422kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: LittleSunnyKitchen
Bonus: quick, easy, healthy and so delicious
This vegan shepherd’s pie is packed with plant-based protein and incredible flavours! It’s so easy to make, and ready in under an hour.
46. Mujadara
Protein: 16g
Calories: 465kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: LittleSunnyKitchen
Bonus: easy, healthy, delicious and full of flavor
Mujadara is a Middle Eastern lentil rice dish served with flavorful caramelized onions that were fried in olive oil. This simple dish is naturally vegan, made with just pantry ingredients so it’s incredibly frugal, and it’s ready in just 30 minutes!
47. Vegan Lentil Loaf
Protein: 9.4g
Calories: 211kcal
Ready in: 1 hour 15 minutes
Recipe by: APlantifulPath
Bonus: festive, flavorful
You won’t miss the meat with this hearty vegan lentil loaf! It’s filled with veggies and lentils, and is full of flavor. It a wonderful holiday entree, and is also easy enough for weekday meals.
48. Beetroot Lentil Burgers
Protein: 5g
Calories: 92kcal
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: TheVeganLarder
Bonus: simple, colorful
Yummy burgers stuffed full of plant based goodness, Lentils, Beetroot and spices (if you vibe with this, you’ll love our other vegan burger ideas)! Easy to make and delicious to eat!
49. Turkish Lentil Balls
Protein: 11.4g
Calories: 333kcal
Ready in: 50 minutes
Recipe by: GiveRecipe
Bonus: party food, easy
Turkish Lentil Meatball aka Mercimek Koftesi is a fantastic party food. These are super easy and inexpensive to prepare and loved by everyone. Nobody is able to stop once they try one.
50. Lentil Tacos & Smashed Avocado
Bonus: nutty, tasty
A tasty bowl of lentils with vegetables in a tahini sauce and cashews. This delicious recipe for veggie comfort food is just what an autumn day calls for.
Vegan lentil recipes FAQs
How many calories are in lentils?
Red and yellow lentils have 226 kcal per cooked cup. Brown and green lentils have 230 kcal per cooked cup. Beluga lentils have 170 kcal per cooked cup. Puy lentils have 400 kcal per cooked cup.
Are lentils good for vegans?
Yes! Lentils are a great source of plant based protein, containing between 13-36 grams of protein per cooked cup of lentils (depending on the type of lentil).
The best part is that they are also low in fat (less than 1g fat per cooked cup), and high in fiber (21-56 grams of fiber per cooked cup!).
What do lentils go well with?
Many things, because they have a fairly bland flavor profile. Red lentils go well in curries and brown and green lentils are great in salads, soups and to make burgers with.
All lentils go well with rice and other grains. Did you know that lentils combined with whole grain rice makes a complete protein?
What flavors go well with lentils?
Most savory flavors! Brown and green lentils particularly lend themselves to fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme and oregano, while red lentils are well suited to smokier, more fragrant flavors like curry powder, paprika and cumin.
A good tip is to cook your lentils in low sodium vegetable broth, as this gives them a richer, saltier flavor.
I hope you enjoyed this collection of vegan lentil recipes (why not try vegetarian lentil dishes next?)! They really are the best lentil recipes out there. Let me know what your favorite ways to eat lentils are in the comments below.
Dave Bell
I’m not a foodie, although I do love eating. I believe food should serve us and our goals, not hinder. Taking control and responsibility for what I eat is important to me. Lots of veggie protein is my way forward.
This article has been medically reviewed by James LeBaigue MSc Learn More
James LeBaigue MSc
James has a Masters Degree in Sport and Exercise Nutrition, as well as an Advanced Diploma in Human Nutrition.
He loves combining his scientific knowledge along with food in the real world, and these recipes are the result.
He’s on top of all the latest evidence and guidelines to make sure our nutrition advice on the website is as accurate as it can be.
By day he works as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in a busy NHS GP Practice.
Each recipe is tested and then eaten (much to James’ delight), many times before it is deemed worthy to be published. Bon appetit!
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