Lentil Meatballs

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These vegan lentil meatballs are straightforward to make, filled with taste and loaded with plant-based protein. Serve them with pasta, on a salad or in a wrap for a scrumptious meatless meal.

The inspiration for these lentil meatballs got here from my well-liked lentil loaf recipe. I’ve been requested a number of instances if the loaf could possibly be became meatballs so I assumed it was time to lastly check it out.

And I’m excited to share that the combination turned out superior as lentil meatballs! They maintain collectively nicely, are tremendous flavorful and the feel is kind of just like conventional meatballs. I guess even the meat-eaters in your life will love this recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Filled with taste and texture just like common meatballs… however they’re vegan!
Could be served so many various methods for a meatless meal! Add them to spaghetti, make a wrap or serve them together with your favourite sauce as an appetizer.
They don’t crumble and maintain collectively nicely with none ordinary binders like breadcrumbs or eggs!

Vegan lentil meatballs, fresh basil and fresh time in a pot with sauce.

Well being Advantages of Lentils

Lentils are a wonderful supply of fiber and plant-based protein. They fluctuate in vitamins relying on what kind of lentil you utilize, however most of all of them include excessive traces of magnesium, zinc, iron and folate. Lentils are additionally low in energy and include polyphenols, which suggests they’re filled with antioxidants that will result in stopping coronary heart illness. Who knew lentils had been so superb?!

Ingredients measured out to make Lentil Meatballs: onion, salt, tomato paste, bay leaf, pepper, oats, tamari, water, basil, thyme, oregano, cayenne, oil, lentils, maple syrup, nutritional yeast, walnuts, celery, carrots, apple cider vinegar, ground flaxseed and garlic.

Components Wanted

lentils – the star of the present right here! I discovered that one of the best lentils to make use of are brown or inexperienced for this recipe. Each varieties are denser than different lentils and are in a position to maintain a “meatball” kind one of the best. Crimson lentils are too delicate, which can lead to mushy meatballs.
water – for cooking the lentils in fact!
bay leaf – we’re including this to the water when cooking the lentils to boost the flavors.
greens – onion, garlic, celery and carrot add scrumptious taste and texture! You’ll sauté the veggies earlier than including them to the remainder of the elements.
olive oil – to sauté the greens and infuse all of the flavors collectively. I used olive oil however avocado oil would even be an incredible possibility.
walnuts – we’re toasting the nuts earlier than combining them with the remainder of the elements. They add a pleasant nutty and crunchy texture. You could possibly additionally use pecans as a substitute of walnuts. For a nut-free possibility use roasted sunflower seeds or extra lentils.
rolled oats – it will assist bind the elements collectively and hold them structured like a meatball. Should you don’t have oats readily available you need to use breadcrumbs as a substitute.
tamari – soy sauce, liquid aminos or coconut aminos could be subbed for the tamari. I simply choose to make use of tamari to maintain this recipe gluten-free.
tomato paste – provides a sturdy taste to those vegan meatballs.
floor flaxseed – one other binding agent that retains all the things collectively. It’s additionally wealthy in fiber and wholesome fat!
dietary yeast – provides a pleasant distinctive savory taste. Search for it within the pure meals part or with the condiments at your native grocery retailer. In fact you can too order dietary yeast on-line.
maple syrup – a contact of sweetness actually makes these lentil meatballs come collectively! Keep in mind to make use of 100% pure maple syrup, not the processed syrups bought for pancakes. The primary ingredient on these syrups is corn syrup or excessive fructose corn syrup… no thanks!
apple cider vinegar – the acidic vinegar will assist steadiness all of the flavors.
seasonings and spices – dried thyme, dried oregano, dried basil, cayenne pepper, black pepper and salt. It’s also possible to use an Italian seasoning mix as a substitute of the varied dried herbs and pink pepper flakes as a substitute of the cayenne if that’s what you’ve gotten readily available.

8 photos showing the process to make Lentil Meatballs: cooking the lentils, toasting walnuts, sautéing veggies, belnding everything together and baking the mixture into meatball shapes.

Find out how to Make Lentil Meatballs

Cook dinner lentils: Rinse your lentils then add to a pot of water with a bay leaf. Convey to a boil, then scale back warmth and simmer lined till all of the liquid is absorbed and lentils are tender. This could take about 15-20 minutes. When completed cooking, take away from warmth, discard the bay leaf and set the lentils apart to chill.

Toast walnuts: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whereas lentils are cooking toast the walnuts by spreading them onto a baking sheet and putting them within the oven for about 8-10 minutes, till aromatic. Take away and let cool. You possibly can hold the oven on as you’ll be utilizing it later.

Sauté greens: Warmth oil over medium warmth in a medium skillet and cook dinner all of the greens collectively till softened and aromatic. After 5-10 minutes take away from warmth and allow them to cool.

Mix elements: Add your cooked lentils (reserve ½ cup for later), veggies, walnuts, oats, tamari, tomato paste, floor flaxseed, dietary yeast, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar and all of the herbs and spices to a meals processor. Pulse till the combination is mixed and the feel is to your liking. It ought to be absolutely integrated to the purpose that all the things can stick collectively, however you don’t need it to be fully pulverized. Add your reserved lentils to the combination and stir as soon as extra till mixed.

Bake: Scoop about 1 ½ Tablespoon of the combination at a time and kind into meatballs. Place them on a ready baking sheet. Bake the lentil meatballs for 10 minutes, flip and bake for an extra 10 minutes. Serve instantly over spaghetti or as desired!

Vegan lentil meatballs on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

What Number of Lentils Are Greatest to Use

I like to recommend solely utilizing brown or inexperienced lentils. These are the commonest lentils you’ll discover at a grocery retailer they usually’re a lot denser than different varieties. Crimson lentils are reasonably fragile and received’t work nicely for this recipe as they’ll lead to mushier and softer meatballs. Black lentils are actually small and also you’ll want much more of them. And all the opposite sorts of lentils are usually not generally discovered at most grocery shops.

I used dry lentils for this recipe and cooked them myself, however pre-cooked lentils will work simply nice and make the method so much faster.

Lentil meatballs served over spaghetti noodles with fresh basil. Spaghetti noodles are twirled around a fork resting in the bowl.

Find out how to Serve Lentil Meatballs

Over pasta – spaghetti and meatballs are a basic dish! Serve these vegan meatballs on a mattress of noodles with marinara sauce and contemporary basil and also you’ll have your self a scrumptious vegan dinner!
In a wrap – add these lentil meatballs to your favourite wrap (lettuce, collard inexperienced, complete wheat, spinach or a traditional white flour tortilla) with contemporary greens and your favourite sauce and also you’ll have a scrumptious lunch or gentle dinner!
On a salad – I’ve so many tasty salad recipes that may be scrumptious topped with these lentil meatballs.
On a grain bowl – swap the falafels on this falafel bowl with these lentil meatballs or add them to this buddha bowl.
As an appetizer – serve these lentil meatballs with toothpicks and your favourite dipping sauce for an appetizer. Some sauce concepts: BBQ sauce, hummus dressing, tzatziki sauce or chick-fil-a sauce. One other appetizer concept is so as to add these meatballs to a vegan charcuterie board as a meat substitute alongside your favourite vegan cheeses, fruits and crackers.

Lentil meatballs on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Time Saving Ideas

Use pre-cooked lentils for a shortcut! This may prevent time and vitality. I’ve seen steamed lentils at completely different grocery shops within the produce part. Shops like Kroger carry Melissa’s steamed lentils and Dealer Joe’s has their very own model of steamed lentils. Should you resolve to go this route, I’d measure out about 1 1/2 cups and skip step 2 inside the recipe beneath.
Prep elements upfront. You possibly can toast the walnuts, cook dinner the lentils and sauté the veggies as much as 2 days upfront. If you’re able to make the meatballs, simply mix all of the elements in your meals processor, roll into balls and bake!

Lentil meatballs atop spaghetti noodles with tomato sauce.

Storing & Reheating

Fridge: Let meatballs cool fully then retailer leftovers in an hermetic sealed container for as much as 5 days.

Freezer: Let meatballs cool fully then retailer in a freezer-safe container for as much as 1 month.

Reheating: If meatballs have been frozen, thaw them within the fridge in a single day. When able to take pleasure in, reheat within the microwave for 1-2 minutes or bake in a 350°F oven for 10-Quarter-hour, till heat all through.

Extra Lentil Recipes to Attempt

Extra Vegan Recipes to Attempt

Make sure to take a look at all the lentil recipes in addition to the total assortment of vegan recipes on EBF!