When speaking with plant-based customers, one of the most common recipes we are asked for is vegan meatballs. Meatballs can be added to various dishes; they can be flavored and eaten plain or added to comfort food recipes like this Lentil Shepherd's Pie. Though traditional meatballs are off-limits for vegans and vegetarians, there are several ways that you can create meatless meatballs in the comfort of your kitchen. So the next time you're searching for an alternative to meat, skip the processed varieties at the stores and make one yourself with lentils. Read on to discover how you can whip up a batch of vegan lentil meatballs for your next family dinner night.
Why Lentils?
When cooking at home, several fruits and vegetables can be used to replace meat in recipes, and lentils are one of our favorites. Nutritious, filling and incredibly versatile, lentils' unique texture and hearty nature make them a great meat replacement. Like meat, lentils are packed with protein, plus they provide plant-based fiber that boosts the nutritional value of anything they're added to. Lentils also blend well with other ingredients, making it easier to replicate the flavors and texture of traditional meat.
Lentil Meatball Recipe
Eager to try lentil meatballs out for yourself? Follow the steps below to create a delicious batch that you can share with family and friends.Ingredients
1 Tbsp Bobs Red MillFlaxseed Meal mixed with 3 Tbsp Water
1 clove Garlic, minced
2 cups cooked Bobs Red Mill Brown Lentils
cup Bobs Red MillNutritional Yeast
tsp Fennel seed
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh Parsley
1 tsp Sea Salt
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- cup Bread Crumbs
Parmesan Cheese or plant-based substitute
1 cup Walnuts, toasted or raw
1 Tbsp Miso Paste
Flaxseed Egg Replacers
We've swapped out eggs for our flaxseed egg replacer to ensure that this lentil meatball recipe remains vegan. A flaxseed egg can be made simply, and each flaxseed egg can be used to substitute one egg in all of your favorite recipes. To create additional eggs, double or triple up on the recipe. (depending on how many eggs you need)The best part, flaxseed eggs only require two ingredients: brown or golden flaxseed meal and water. To make one flaxseed egg, combine one tablespoon of golden flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water and allow it to sit for 5 minutes. From there, you can add the flaxseed egg to your recipe just as you would a traditional egg.Using flaxseed egg in this lentil meatball recipe is especially important as the flaxseed creates a gelatinous consistency that has the power to bind all of the ingredients together, ensuring that your meatballs take on the right shape and texture.
Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast is a popular vegan and vegetarian supplement with a pleasantly cheesy flavor. It's a great way to add a cheesy-ness to at-home recipes sans animal products and is packed with nutrients. Rich in vitamins B-12, our Bob's Red Mill Nutritional Yeast provides 8 grams of protein per serving and tastes delicious when making this lentil meatball recipe.
Step-by-Step Guide to Make Lentil Meatballs
Combine flaxseed meal and water in a small bowl. Stir, and set to the side allowing it to sit and thicken for about 5 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350F.
Combine cooked lentils, garlic, nutritional yeast, flaxseed egg and other ingredients in a mixing bowl. To help ensure that the lentil mixture sticks together well, pulse half of the mixture in a food processor or blender and then combine it with the rest.
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and form the lentil mixture into the desired shape and sized meatballs before placing them onto the lined baking sheets.
Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake 20-30 minutes, until they are crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Allow the meatballs to cool and serve with the desired main dish or sauce.
Additional Lentil Recipes to Make
Though delicious, lentil meatballs aren't the only dish that can be made with lentils. From chili to soup, lentils can be used in several ways. If you're eager to add lentils to your regular diet, try out some of the recipes below.
Tortilla Soup with Red Lentils
Soup is the perfect comfort food on a cold day. It's warm, filling and cooks quickly. Soup can also be made in large batches. So whether you're planning on feeding a group of people or meal prepping for the week, any leftovers can be frozen to enjoy later on. If you're searching for a new soup recipe to add to your cookbook, we have the perfect recipe for you.This Tortilla Soup with Red Lentils is flavorful, delicious and unique. A fun twist on classic tortilla soup, vegan ingredients like red lentils and black beans add heartiness to the tomato and vegetable broth base, while fresh spices and herbs are used for flavoring. Red lentil soup is easy to cook on the stovetop, but can also be made in a pressure cooker for an even quicker cook time.
Vegetable Lentil Salad
When people typically think of a healthy salad, they picture a bowl full of greens. Now, as much as we love greens, we love switching up classic salad recipes by swapping in a base of grains or lentils. The green lentil is the ideal lentil when making salads, as it holds its form when cooked. The result? A nicely textured salad that isn't the slightest bit mushy.To create a lentil-based salad overflowing with flavor and nutrition, start making this Vegetable Lentil Salad. Made with our Petite French Green Lentils, carrots, cauliflower and bell pepper, it's a colorful salad overflowing with plant based protein and fiber. To make this dish even better for you, it's topped with a homemade dressing mix containing oregano, olive oil, white wine vinegar, sugar and pepper.
Spicy Veggie Burgers
If you loved the meatball recipe above and are looking for more ways to introduce lentils into your diet as an alternative to meat, then you're in luck. Lentils are an excellent plant based meat alternative, and when combined with other ingredients like brown rice farina, they can be used to replicate the same texture and flavor of your favorite meat-based dishes. For example, use lentils to substitute for taco meat or mold them into a delicious veggie patty. The many ways you can use lentils are endless!To create a great-tasting burger patty that vegans and meat-eaters will enjoy, try out these Spicy Veggie Burgers. They are made by combining lentils, brown rice farina, vegetables and Indian flavors. Full of exotic flair, this meal is sure to be a memorable one. Serve these vegetable burgers with traditional sides like lettuce, tomato and ketchup, or take them up a notch by adding chutney, mustard and amaranth greens.
Curried Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew
Now, we've discussed how to make a delicious soup using lentils, but what about stew? While both soup and stew include a combination of ingredients cooked in liquid, the main difference is how much liquid is used. When making stew, less liquid is required resulting in a thicker, more filling meal. So, if you're searching for a meal that's just as flavorful as it is filling, then we recommend adding lentils to your favorite stew.An excellent stew recipe to start with is this Curried Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew. Vegan and gluten free, this soup is the ideal dish to reach for when it's cold outside. In this stew, a mixture of red lentils, full-fat coconut milk and sweet potatoes are used to give it a creamy and smooth texture that eaters of all ages will enjoy.Eager to begin cooking with lentils? Start with the lentil meatball recipe above, and let us know what you think. Once you master one lentil-based recipe, making another is simple. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we wish you a healthy and happy day!Do you use lentils as a replacement for meat in your favorite plant based recipes? We'd love to hear more about the dishes you've been creating with lentils. Share your favorite plates with us in the comment below.