- Course: Entrée
Lentil Loaf Vegan is a savory and filling vegetarian dish that can be made in the oven or on the stovetop. The lentil loaf vegan is a great choice for those following a gluten-free, vegan diet. It’s made with lentils, walnuts, mushrooms, and spices to create a flavor profile that is both delicious and nutritious.
Vegan lentil loaf is a meatless alternative to meatloaf. It was created by a vegetarian in the 1970s and has since become popular worldwide as a healthy, plant-based dish.
This loaf can be used as the main dish or as a side dish at your next dinner party or family meal. Served alongside some roasted vegetables and vegan mashed potatoes or rice pilaf with peas, it will satisfy everyone at the table.
Main ingredients used in lentil loaf vegan
Lentils
Lentils are the primary ingredient in this vegan lentil loaf. Brown lentils can be substituted for the steamed green beans ones I used in this recipe. Legumes are an excellent source of iron, magnesium, and fiber. They are therefore considered a highly nutritious option and typically a staple in many countries. Precooked lentils can be found in cans or dry; both options are acceptable.
Oatmeal
Oats are a healthy and delicious grain that can be easily found in grocery stores. Although they’re often thought of as just a breakfast food, oats are actually nutritious enough to be used in many other dishes. Oats contain fiber, which helps keep you full longer than processed carbs, and protein, so they’re great for vegetarians.
Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs are made from bread and crackers, but they can also be made from a variety of cereals. They have a long shelf life and are often used in soups and stews to thicken them. They can also be used as a topping for casseroles, or meatloaf.
Carrots
Carrots are a popular vegetable consumed worldwide. They are rich in vitamin A and contain many other essential nutrients. Carrots can be eaten raw or cooked. They are most often eaten as a snack on their own, but they can also be added vegan lentil loaf to salads and soups to add flavor and texture.
Pecan meal
Pecan meal is made from ground pecans. It’s ideal for anyone with a nut allergy or who simply prefers not to eat nuts. The texture of pecan meals is slightly coarser than that of breadcrumbs and it adds a delicious crunch to dishes like this one.
Braggs Liquid Amino
If you’re looking for a good alternative to soy sauce, this is it. It’s got a rich, delicious flavor that lends itself well to any dish that needs saltiness and umami. It contains 16 amino acids as well as Braggs’ famous “Mother” (a healthy bacteria which helps make digestion easier).
Coconut milk
Coconut milk is a great substitute for any other type of milk in your baking recipes. It’s low in sugar and has a high-fat content, which makes your recipe extremely rich and creamy.
Sweet peppers
Sweet peppers are a vegetable that can be used to make vegan gluten free dishes. They’re good for you, your health and diet, body and mind.
It contains vitamin C which is needed to help the body form collagen. Collagen helps keep skin supple and elastic. It also prevents wrinkles by helping your skin retain moisture while keeping out harmful bacteria.
Chicken style seasoning
Chicken-style seasoning is a mix of herbs and spices that can be used to add flavor to vegan meals. And it’s not just for chicken, it can be used for other recipes too.
Italian seasoning
Italian seasoning is a mixture of dried herbs, spices, and other seasonings. It’s a blend of basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram. It’s used to flavor vegetable lentil loaf.
Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper is a spice that adds heat to foods. It is commonly used in cooking, and lentil loaf vegan uses it as well. Cayenne pepper adds flavor to the meatless loaf and gives it that spicy kick.
How to make a vegan lentil loaf?
- In order to guarantee that your lentils are cooked but that all the liquid has evaporated, you may need to simmer them for a longer period of recipe prep time or add more vegetable broth.
- Utilize a high-speed blender or food processor to grind rolled oats to create your own oat flour.
- For this meal, only use green or brown lentils. Lentils that are red or black won’t work or taste nice.
- The lentils and the other components give the dish a wonderful texture. Both the carrots and the radishes that I used to test the recipe were wonderful!
- You can forego producing your own ketchup glaze and replace store-bought ketchup with homemade ketchup.
- This recipe can also use mushrooms, which are known to give vegan foods a meaty feel.
- This vegan meatloaf recipe contain mushy lentil loaf and becomes firmer as it cools. A fantastic dish to prepare the day before and reheat for 30 minutes cook time at 350°F in a preheated oven. It is the ideal recipe for making ahead since it tastes even better the next day.
Tips for Storage
The vegan lentil meatloaf may be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days by sealing a container with an airtight lid. Additionally, you can store this vegan lentil loaf in the freezer for up to three months. Be certain to freeze it without the sauce. Only after over medium heat the frozen loaf should you add the sauce.
Interesting Benefits of vegan lentil loaf
Here are some extraordinary health benefits include:
Cheap and easy to make
Vegan lentil loaf is a great alternative to meatloaf, and it’s cheaper. Moreover, it can make it in less than 15 minutes. You may be asking yourself: what does vegan lentil loaf taste like? Well, let’s just say that if you were to eat this dish on its own with no sauce or dressing on top of it whatsoever and didn’t tell anyone what was in it. You would never know the difference between vegan lentil loaf and regular meatloaf (they’re both delicious).
Healthy and nutritious
Protein: This meatless loaf is a good source of protein, which contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscles. Moreover, it also aids in the formation of blood cells, helps regulate body temperature, and aids in digestion.
Iron: Iron is an essential mineral that plays an important role in carrying oxygen throughout your body. This vegetarian lentil loaf provides a whopping 5 grams per serving! That’s almost 40% of your daily recommended intake.
Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 helps convert carbohydrates into glucose (the form of sugar used by cells for energy) so it can be used as fuel for your body’s cells. It also acts as an antioxidant that protects our bodies from harmful chemicals or toxins that can lead to serious health issues such as cancer.
Helps prevent chronic disease
If you’re looking for a meatless alternative that’s high in protein, fiber, and iron, then this vegan lentil loaf recipe is for you. Lentils are an excellent source of folate and iron. Folate helps prevent heart disease and cancer by reducing levels of homocysteine, a compound that can damage blood vessels. Iron helps improve energy levels and productivity at work or school by allowing red blood cells to carry more oxygen throughout the body.
Does lentil loaf taste like meatloaf?
Lentil loaf tastes similar to meatloaf, but its vegan! It doesn’t have the same texture as your typical meat version. The lentils give this dish its unique flavor, making it less dense than true meatloaf. If you’re looking for a healthier option and want something that tastes similar to meatloaf, try out this recipe.
I especially love the BBQ sauce baked on the Lentil Loaf and the recipe is quick and easy to make. You can find the BBQ recipe here on my blog.
Also, this recipe is very similar to two other recipe on my blog, I usually use Texture Vegetable Protein in the place of lentils.
What is vegan meatloaf made of?
Vegan meatloaf is a mock version of traditional meatloaf. The main ingredient in this vegan alternative is lentils mixed with vegetables, mushrooms, and spices. It’s also high in protein and fiber, making it an ideal meal for those who want to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets.
Is meatloaf vegan?
Meatloaf is made with a mixture of ground beef, bread crumbs, and vegetables such as red bell peppers and onions. Since meatloaf contains meat (which is not vegan), this means that it is not suitable for a vegan diet. However, if you are looking for an alternative recipe that includes all of the same ingredients but doesn’t contain any animal products then try vegetarian meatloaf instead.
Why are lentils better than other beans like kidney or pinto?
Lentils are one of the best sources of protein in the world. They have more fiber than kidney or pinto beans and are easier to cook, making them perfect for busy people on the go. On top of that, their taste is far superior to other types of beans. So, using canned lentils are better than other beans like kidney or pinto.
How can I eat a plant-based diet?
Plant-based diets consist of eating foods that come from plants. The typical vegetarian diet includes fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. Vegans avoid all animal products including meat, eggs, and dairy products. Even if you’re not a vegan, there are plenty of ways to incorporate plant-based meals into your diet. Here are some ideas:
- Add tofu or tempeh to dishes like stir fry or chili
- Replace beef with beans in burritos or tacos
- Use chickpeas instead of sausage in pasta sauces
What is the best vegetarian dish that tastes like meat?
By far the best vegetarian dish that tastes like meat is vegan lentil loaf. It’s a tasty, protein-packed alternative to traditional meatloaf, made without any beef or pork products. The key here is to blend lentils with other veggies and spices like onions, carrots, and celery. You can make it even more flavorful by adding some curry powder or chili powder for a spicy kick.
How do I make a calorie deficit vegetarian meal for lunch?
The key to making a vegetarian meal is to keep the calories down while still getting enough protein. The best way to do this is by eating lots of vegetables, especially starchy ones like potatoes, quinoa, and corn. You can also add tofu or beans into your meals for extra protein. As for cooking oil, go for olive oil instead of butter for maximum health benefits.
I hope you enjoyed this recipe. If you did you can choose to follow this and other recipes on my other Social Media Platform, TIKTOK, SOMETHING BETTER TODAY, PINTEREST, and YOUTUBE.
Ingredients
- 2 c. lentils
- 4 c. water
- ½ c. oil
- 1 c. oats
- 4 tbsp. whole wheat flour
- ½ cup nutmeal
- 1 ½ cup Breadcrumbs
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- ½ c. finely chopped sweet pepper
- 3 tbsp. Braggs liquid aminos
- 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 2 tbsp. Beef or Chicken Style Seasonings or salt to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Dash of cayenne
Instructions
- Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.
- Place lentils in a medium size pot to boil for at least 20 minutes or until they are tender.
- Once the lentils are cooked, add oil, oats, and garlic and stir well.
- Add all other ingredients.
- Season to taste with salt and cayenne.
- Spread the batter onto a half sheet pan, 18 by 13 inches.
- Pour your favorite barbeque sauce on top.
- Bake 35 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees for about 45mins to an hour.
- This recipe can make about 70 meatballs.
- If you want to make patties, use a balls cover as your mold. Spoon the mix into
- the cover while resting on the pre-sprayed baking sheet. Patties keep shape very well, perfect for making
- burgers for sandwiches.
- This is my children’s favorite patty!
Nyiranganizi Illuminee
Absolutely amazing