Vegan Lentil Loaf or Vegan Meatloaf is one of the best Vegetarian main entrees that you can make during the holidays. Instead of meat, we've used lentils to make this.
It has got a nutty taste (thanks to toasted walnuts) and the sticky maple glaze is super-awesome.
Lentil loaf has a bad reputation of being soggy. Many people say that the moment they start slicing the lentil loaf it crumbles down.
But here is the only fool-proof Lentil loaf recipe that you'll ever need.
Glazed with Pure Maple, Balsamic vinegar, and Tomato Ketchup, this recipe for Vegan Lentil Loaf is Super-Duper amazing.
in case you are apprehensive about Lentil Meatloaf you can make Best Meatloaf Recipe ever! will knock your socks off
Vegan Lentil Loaf Recipe
My only concern about making this lentil loaf was - how is this going to hold the shape. I was worried about the binding agent. And, to make matters worse, I was running out of stock on Chia Seeds and Flax Seeds.
I couldn't imagine skipping flax egg or chia egg since that is the sole ingredient that binds the lentil loaf together.
So, I went out and asked my neighbor if she had any flaxseed. And, yes! She had it. But it was ground flaxseed. I was so happy to find flaxseed. finally!
Vegan Lentil Meatloaf
This recipe calls for Green or brown lentils. Since I am using raw lentils therefore I have soaked them in water for 2-hours prior to cooking.
Secondly, to make this recipe vegan I have not used regular flour. Instead of regular flour, I have used Oatmeal flour.
Simple Vegan Lentil Loaf Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Lentils
In a pot cook lentils, water, and salt until the water is completely absorbed. This is why you should add water as per the instructions. If you add more water, it will take you forever to cook your lentils.
cook lentils until you see just 1 tablespoon of water.
Step 2: Saute Veggies
In another pan, saute onions, garlic, ginger, carrots, bell pepper, with Salt, Pepper, Ground Cumin, Smoked paprika, Red Pepper Flakes, and Italian Seasoning,
Toss well and cook it for another 2-3 minutes. Add cooked lentils and toss for another 1-minute. After this, take it from the heat and allow it to cool down completely.
Step 3: Toast Nuts
On a baking sheet toast walnuts or any other nuts that you like at 375F for 10-minutes. Once the nuts get toasted, take them out and keep them aside. Allow them to cool down completely.
Step 4: Pulse
Pulse Lentils, veggies, toasted Walnuts, Ground Flaxseed, rolled oats, oatmeal flour. Do not pulverize completely. Allow them to be a bit chunky.
Step 5: Press it down in a baking pan
Take a loaf pan. Grease it with oil. Line it with parchment paper with sides hanging out. Pour lentil loaf mixture into the baking dish and press it down using a spoon.
Step 6: Make Glaze and Pour
In a bowl combine Tomato Ketchup, Balsalmic vinegar, and Pure Maple syrup. Give it a light stir and pour it on your unbaked vegan lentil meatloaf. You can also use apple cider vinegar instead of balsamic vinegar.
Bake it in a preheated oven at 375F for 30-32 minutes. Allow it to cool down for 30-minutes before serving.
Pre-Cooked Lentils vs Dry Lentils
Keep in mind that 1/2 Cup of Dry Lentils is equal to 1 and (1/2) Cup of cooked lentils. In case you are using canned lentils, you can skip cooking the lentils part. This would make your work easier.
You can easily find steamed lentils at various grocery stores such as Krogers or Trader Joe's.
Can I Prepare this Ahead of Time?
I totally get it. If you are preparing this for the holidays, you've got to prep this ahead of time.
So, to do that.
- You can cook lentils ahead of time and keep them in your refrigerator. Then follow with the remaining recipe.
- Or you can assemble everything in a baking pan and cover it with foil or plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate this for 2-3 days.
- When ready to bake, transfer it to the oven (remove the plastic wrap).
How Do I Store the Leftovers?
If you happen to save some of this deliciousness, you can always store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Or in the Freezer for up to 2-months.
But keep these things in mind:
- Allow your Vegan Lentil meatloaf to cool down completely before you transfer it to the fridge or freezer.
- Wrap slices in Plastic wrap and then transfer them to the fridge or freezer.
How to Reheat:
- When ready to reheat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
- Then heat in the microwave or oven bake at 130 degrees C or 260 degrees F for 15-17 minutes.
Other Lentil Recipes you can try:
- Instant Pot Lentil Sloppy Joes Recipe {Vegan}
- Lentil Bolognese with Spaghetti
- Traditional Brown Lentil Soup Recipe
- Baked Lentil Hand Pies
if you are making this recipe, please leave a rating below. Also, take a snap and share it on Instagram with #recipemagik. Tag me @recipemagik and let me know how this turned out.
Vegan Lentil Loaf Recipe
INGREDIENTS
Cook Lentils
- ½ cup dry Lentils Green or Brown Lentils (washed and lentils)
- 1½ cup water
For the filling
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 inch ginger finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot finely chopped
- ½ medium bell pepper diced
- ½ Teaspoon salt Adjust as per taste
- 1 Teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ Teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ Teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ¼ Teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup rolled oats can be replaced with vegan beadcrumbs like Panko
- 1 cup oat flour can be replaced with almond flour
- 2 Tablespoon ground flaxseeds can be replaced with chia egg ( 1 tablespoon chia + 2 tablespoon water)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts can be replaced with pecan nuts or almonds
For Glaze
- 3 Tablespoons Tomato Ketchup can be replaced with tomato paste
- 1 Teaspoon Balsamic Vinegar can be replaced with Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup can be replaced with agave
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a pot boil some water with salt. Add lentils and cook until there is no water left. Allow this to cool down.
- In a baking sheet place chopped walnuts. toast it in a preheated oven at 375 degree F for 8-10 minutes until toasty. Allow it to cool down completely.
- In a skillet heat olive oil. Add onions, carrots, bell pepper, garlic, and ginger. Saute until onions are soft. Add smoked paprika, salt, ground cumin, italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Saute the veggies and spices until completely cooked.
- Now add cooked lentils back into the skillet. Toss lightly. turn off the heat. Allow this mixture to cool down completely.
- Pulse in a food processor. Make sure it is chunky and not completely pulversized.
- Grease a loaf pan with oil. Line it with parchment paper with sides hanging out. Spoon your filling into a baking dish.
- Make glaze by combining tomato ketchup, balsamic vinegar, and pure maple syrup. Stir lightly and pour it on the lentil loaf.
- Bake lentil meatloaf in a preheated oven at 375 F for 30-32 minutes.
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