Vegan Lentil Meatballs
Vegan lentil meatballs are an excellent recipe to share on World Legume Day. Here I shared this fantastic recipe to keep alive the positive momentum of these leguminous plants that are healthy, nutritious, and an excellent source of plant-based protein.
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Origin of Meatballs
Meatballs can be enjoyed worldwide and come in many different forms, but it’s said that the idea originated from Persian meatballs known as kofta.
Why you’ll love this recipe
My plant-based meatballs most closely resemble the flavors of Moroccan Cuisine with the delicious Ras El Hanout spice blend wrapped up in a little cozy vegan ball. It’s also the perfect way to utilize leftover cooked lentils in an exciting, new way.
How to Make Vegan Lentil Meatballs
Key Ingredients
You will find a complete list of ingredients with the exact amounts and step-by-step instructions yo in the RECIPE CARD below:
Most of these ingredients you will be able to find in your local supermarket or health food store. If there is an ingredient that is hard to find, I will link it to Amazon as they offer so many ingredients.
Mushroom
Onion
Carrot
Garlic cloves
Zucchini
Salt:
Ra’s el hanout spice: In the link from Amazon you will find this wonderful Middle Eastern spice blend that will add flavor to any savory dish.
Whole Corn flour: I use a small amount to thicken the lentil and veg mixture. It helps to keep the balls compact which therefore holds their shape.
Aquafaba: The liquid from the jar of cooked lentils.
Olive Oil: The best cold press Olive Oil, also from Cal Valls
For the sauce:
Tomato sauce is a fine natural organic sauce from Cal Valls that you can purchase from Amazon in Spain only.
Substitute for any other tomato sauce of your choice.
Are you just starting on your plant-based journey? Here you will find all the answers to your questions about going vegan with our EASY Starter Guide to a Whole Food Plant-Based Vegan Diet
Notes & substitutions for these wonderful Vegan Lentil Meatballs
- Cooked lentils: I love the organic cooked lentils that come in a jar, vegan, gluten-free with no added sugar, you open them and they are ready to eat. They are Ideal as an accompaniment to any meal. I buy the brand Cal Valls but they are only available in Spain. Substitute If you prefer other legumes you could replace the lentils with white beans or chickpeas.
- Wholemeal bread: I use sourdough bread that is a day old and is easier to blend. Substitute gluten-free bread to make a gluten-free meal.
- Nutritional yeast: Nutritional yeast, a staple vegan seasoning made out of inactive yeast, gives a cheesy flavor and is an excellent source of vitamin B12. Substitute You can replace the yeast with a small amount of vegan cheese.
Equipment
Mixing bowl
I am a big fan of cast iron pans, they are reasonably priced and durable. In turn, they will last you a lifetime!!
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How to make Vegan Lentil Meatballs
instructions and pictures
A complete list of instructions you can find in the RECIPE CARD below.
The ingredients
- Start by chopping the vegetables, and lightly fry them in a small amount of olive oil.
2. Transfer the vegetables to a mixing ball.
3. Drain the lentils and add them together with the corn flour to the mixture giving them a good stir.
4 Pop the bread into a blender with the liquid that you drained from the cooked lentils. Blend it into a smooth thick paste.
5. Place the prepared mixture into a fridge for around two hours. This will set the mixture and make it more rollable. Using a small spoon, scoop out some mixture and roll it into a ball.
6. Paste the bottom of the cast iron pan with oil. Lightly fry the lentil balls on medium heat. Toss them occasionally until they turn golden brown.
7. Pour over your favorite sauce and turn off the heat. They are ready to serve.
Why you need to try these high in protein vegan lentil meatballs:
These balls are:
Nut-free
Vegan
Dairy-free
High in protein
Easy to put together
Taste delicious
Nutritious
If you made the recipe I would appreciate it If you make it and tag me on Instagram @dishingoutplants
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Ras el Hanout?
Ras el handout is a blend of Middle Eastern spice blend used in tagines, soups, rice, and vegetable dishes. In Arabic, Ras el Hanout means “head of the shop” or “top of the shop, on the top shelf”, meaning it’s the best spice they have.
There isn’t just one traditional Ras el Hanout recipe. Families and stores make their blend of over a dozen spices!
Some of Ras El Hanout’s Ingredients may include:
GINGER, CLOVE, CARDAMON, CINNAMON, CARDOMAN, PAPRIKA, NUTMEG, TURMERIC, BLACK PEPPER, ONSIE SEEDS, CUMIN, ALLSPICE AND FENUGREEK.
Can I freeze the lentil balls?
Yes, you can! Make sure they are completely cool. Keep the lentils in a suitable freezer container and freeze them for up to 3 months.
Vegan Lentil Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 240 g cooked lentils
- 1 large mushroom or 2 small
- 1 onion
- 1 carrot
- 5 garlic cloves
- ½ zucchini
- 1 slice wholemeal bread to blend into breadcrumbs
- ½ tea spoon salt
- 1 tea spoon Ra's el hanout spice
- 60g whole corn flour
- Aquafaba liquid from the lentils
- Olive oil for cooking
- For the sauce:
- 300 g tomato sauce
- 3 table spoons of water
- 1 table spoons nutritional yeast
Instructions
- Chop the onion, garlic, zucchini, carrot and mushrooms into very small pieces.
- Heat a pan with a small amount of oil and gently fry the onion, carrots, zucchini, mushrooms and garlic for 5 minutes until the carrots and zucchini softens.
- Drain the liquid (aquafaba from the lentils and set aside.
- 4.. Transfer the vegetables to a mixing ball then pour in the organic cooked lentils, salt and spices and mix well.
- Add the slice of bread and aquafaba to a blender and blend it into a smooth paste, add the paste to the lentils and vegetables. Fold in the flour and give it a final mix to combine all the ingredients.
- Pop the mixture in the fridge for approximately 2 hours so the mixture forms a dough kind of consistancy.
- Using a medium spoon scoop out mixture into the hand and roll it into a ball, place them onto a plate ready to cook.
- Lightly fry them until the gain colour and add the tomate sauce, ready to serve.
Notes & Suggestions
These balls are:
-
NUT FREE
-
VEGAN
-
DAIRY-FREE
-
HIGH IN PROTEIN
-
EASY TO PUT TOGETHER
-
TASTE DELICIOUS
-
NUTRITIOUS
The nutritional information is an estimate, calculated automatically per serving, with all values, including calories, based on one serving.
Share on Facebook Pin RecipeSEE MORE VEGAN DINNERS:
Stuffed Peppers with Turmeric Shiitake Rice
Azuki Bean Stew
Easy Minestrone Soup
Chickpea & Vegetable Lasagna
Italian Pasta
If you made the recipe I would really appreciate it. If you make it tag me on Instagram @dishingoutplants
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Such a lovely and healthy recipe. Looks delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Your welcome Hari! I am pleased you enjoyed the recipe!
These are such a delicious alternative to meat! Yummy
They certainly are and really tasty too! Thank you Beth!
I love lentils, but I have never had them this way before! Delicious, definitely making them again!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe Cara! Thank you for sharing your experience!
This is a perfect recipe when entertaining guests who are on a vegan or vegetarian diet. These meatballs are nutrient-dense too. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Elizabeth! They are indeed and you can prepare them a head of time and freeze them. I find them better to cook from frozen as they don`t seperate in the pan.
I love lentils so much. I’ve been trying to find more ways to use them since they’re also so budget friendly. I can’t wait to try these meatballs!
I eat them mainly for their protein content, but I`m not keen on the taste so I diguise them mixing them with other ingresients. They are certainly budget friendly Kim.
I’m excited to try these meatballs. They look like a great option for Meatless Monday.
Thank you Chenee1 They are a perfect option for a meatless Monday.
Loved these! They’re so easy to make and would be great on meatless mondays!
Thank you Justine! They are perfect for a meatless Monday
Thank you so much! The flavors are perfect and I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Thank you Shadi, very glad you like the recipe
Your welcome Shadi! It tastes amazing, I know your going to enjoy them.
These healthy, nutritious and flavorful meatballs are perfect for my family.
Thank you Andrea, Its a perfect family meal and they are fun to make too.
These are so delicious! I’m not vegan, but I love lentils. So I had to give these a try. They have such a delicious and deep flavor. Excellent.
Thank you Beth for trying out the lentil recipe and sharing your positive feedback! It’s great to hear that you enjoyed them, even though you’re not vegan. Lentils are indeed a versatile and flavorful ingredient that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of dietary preferences.
These lentil meatballs are so good! Packed with nutrition too, great idea for a weeknight meal.
Thank you Ali, yep perfect for a mid-week meal