Easy Taco Seasoned Lentils – For Nachos, Tacos, Quesadillas & Taco Salad

 

I am always trying to find easy family meals that are full of plant protein and that everyone likes.  These Taco Seasoned Lentils have been a huge hit around here, and are so versatile!  I love keeping a big mason jar of them in the refrigerator for a quick dinner or lunch taco salad.

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Lentils as a Substitute for Ground Beef

Thanks to Trader Joes, I don’t have to worry about making the lentils.  These steamed lentils have been the perfect replacement for ground beef in our family, and we have made sloppy joes, taco meat, and meatloaf with them.

 If you don’t live near a Trader Joes, lentils are super easy to make.  It is a lot like making rice, 1 part lentils to 2 parts water.

 

Lentils = Easy Plant Protein

If you do live by a Trader Joes, they are found in the refrigerator section. They are shrink wrapped so they last a long time in your refrigerator at home.  I’m sure you could freeze them, but I have never had to.

They are delicious just crumbled up on top of a salad for added protein, but I like adding different sauces and flavorings to them.

 

Taco Seasoned Lentils

To make taco seasoned lentils, I just buy a packet of taco seasoning, (or use this recipe), and mix it with the required water.  Heat it up a bit until it smells good.

Then add 1 lb of cooked lentils.  The above picture is what the lentils from Trader Joes look like.  Don’t let the dark color on the outside of the lentils bug you, as it says on the package, this is normal.

Separate the lentils and stir them into the taco sauce.  Heat up. It is that simple!  This sure beats dealing with raw meat and draining nasty grease, huh?

Now, your taco lentils are ready to use in whatever way you would like.  Use on nachos, tacos, quesadillas, or for taco salad.

Easy Peasy!!

 

 

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You might also like these recipes from New Nostalgia:

Taco Pizza

Garbonzo Bean Taco “Meat”

Taco Salad No Recipe Recipe

5 Minute Raw Nut Taco Meat

Healthy Nachos

Portable Chicken Tacos