Lentils are a mighty source of plant-protein and a game changer in vegan cooking. Here are 25 versatile & nutritious lentil recipes that I know you’ll love!

Early in the pandemic last spring, I polled readers on Instagram stories about what type of recipes they’d most like to see on the blog. I wanted to know what would be practical and comforting, the two qualities that seemed to matter most to everyone.

I wasn’t surprised that there was interest in shelf-stable foods. Beans and grains were getting lots of attention, thanks to their practicality for shelter-in-place living. Still, I was shocked at how many people wanted lentil recipes! Lentils were all the rage.

Looking back, I guess I shouldn’t have been so surprised. Lentils have all of the shelf-stable convenience and good nutrition of beans. But they’re quicker cooking than beans are, and they don’t require any overnight soaking. They’re inexpensive, nourishing, and easy to cook with.

One year later, the end of quarantine is on the horizon. But I cherished lentils before the pandemic, and I love them every bit as much now. They’re one of my favorite ways to nutrition to my plant-based recipes.

Lentil nutrition

Lentils are an excellent source of so many essential nutrients. This includes B vitamins, zinc, iron, potassium, and magnesium.

Half a cup of lentils contains about eight grams of fiber, which is beneficial for digestive health and can also help to support cardiac health.

Best of all, lentils are packed with plant protein. Protein adequacy within a vegan diet is one of the pillars of my practice as a registered dietitian, and it’s also the focus of Power Plates. I’ve seen time and time again how essential adequate protein is to longterm success with veganism, and I’m always looking to give my clients new recipe and meal ideas that maximize plant protein.

That same half cup serving of cooked lentils provides about ten grams of protein. That’s an excellent amount from one single ingredient within a meal. In many of the recipes I share below, lentils are joined by other protein-rich ingredients for even more nutrient density.

25 versatile & nutritious lentil recipes

I cook with lentils so often, and have made so many recipes with them, that it’s hard to pick even twenty-five of my favorites! But here they are, including a lentil walnut pate that’s one of my favorite, go-to snacks.

And finally, my lentil walnut pate!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made this versatile dip/spread. It was a meal prep staple for me in grad school, because I could use it in so many ways: on sandwiches or wraps, as a snack, on toast for breakfast in the morning, and so on.

I’ve served the pate to many, many friends over the years as well. It’s a great hors d’oeuvre, and it’s really good on vegan crostini.

Brown food really is the tastiest—and so often the most nutritious, too. Enjoy these many lentil-filled recipes, friends!

xo