26 of the Very Best Lentil Recipes

There is something very comforting about a lentil dish. The recipes are usually wholesome and the dishes themselves are perfect for a cozy night in.

Best of all, most lentil recipes are extremely healthy, whether they be lentil stews, soups, sides, or salads.

Lentils may have a reputation for being somewhat bland and plain, but this is not true for so many recipes. Around the world, there is an ocean of incredible lentil recipes to explore and try for yourself.

If you’re struggling to think of ideas for the week’s food plan, stick around! In today’s post, we are going to help you plan beautiful, delicious, healthy lentil dishes with a selection of our favorite lentil recipes.

Let’s explore the limitless possibilities with lentils with 26 of the very best lentil recipes below! 

Incredible Lentil Recipes To Make At Home 

1. Green Curry Lentil Soup

Wait? Curry? Soup? Which is it? Well, in truth, we start with both! This dish is supremely aromatic with earthy lentils, leafy greens, and sweet potatoes.

Mixed with coconut milk and a green curry paste, this lentil dish is wonderfully easy to make and perfect for sitting down and relaxing with. 

2. Vegan Pot Pie (Lentils, Kale, and Butternut)

This recipe is one of the tastiest vegan pot pies we have ever encountered. It is made with lentils, butternut squash, and kale with a delectable golden puff pastry crust.

Perfect comfort food with a blend of flavors.

3. Red Lentil, Sweet Potato, and Coconut Curry

Another lentil dish without any meat, this is an ideal meal for any vegetarian. In this healthy dish, you can enjoy generous amounts of chunky sweet potato, all blended into a delicious coconut curry.

Who knew heaven existed on earth?

4. Chicken-Lentil Soup With Jammy Onions

If you’re looking for a lentil dish with a burst of incredible flavors, then this chicken-lentil soup with onions is the one for you!

Although the ingredient list is short, the garlic and onions add so much depth to the overall flavor that any more ingredients and it would be overwhelming.

5. Instant Pot Mulligatawny Soup

Because instant pot Mulligatawny soup is so easy to make, it is one of the most popular lentil soups around. Not only that but every mouthful is satisfyingly creamy and rich.

This soup boasts spicy, strong flavors and its simplicity means you can add other ingredients, such as chicken, veggies, and rice to make it stand out even more.

6. Kimchi-Lentil Stew With Poached Eggs

This Kimchi-Lentil Stew With Poached Eggs is a one pot wonder that can be enjoyed with a fork and a chunky lump of crusty bread. If hearty is what you;re looking for, look no further than this stew! 

7. Lentil Stuffed Buns

Fancy a quick snack when you’re on the go? These Lentil stuffed buns may be the answer. This recipe can be used with store-bought biscuit dough but you can also make the whole wheat bun from scratch.

If you’re traveling, though, these stuffed buns are perfect for being on the road.  

8. Sprouted Lentil Burgers

A veggie burger to marvel at. Yes, there may be a plethora of veggie burgers in the world, but these sprouted lentil wonders are some of the easiest to make and tastiest to eat.

You can grill these healthy vegan and gluten free chaps and top them with pickled beets. Yum yum! 

9. Lentil-Smothered Greens on Fried Bread

A little smoked paprika and a ton of garlic can go a long way to making a lentil dish incredibly tasty. This Lentil-Smothered Greens on Fried Bread is the perfect example with a whopping 11 gloves of garlic in the recipe!

A perfect snack for weeknight dining, but we recommend using hardy greens, such as kale and spinach for the best results. 

10. Hearty Lentil Stew

Stacked with vegetables, this is one hearty, yet very healthy lentil stew. Lentils help to thicken out the stew, especially if you let them rise and dry before adding to the pot.

Do this and the lentils will soak up all the flavors from other ingredients and create one delicious stew. 

11. Marinated Lentils With Lemony Broccolini and Feta

Healthy and hearty – it’s just what you want from a lentil dish, and this is exactly what you get with these marinated Lentils With Lemony Broccolini and Feta.

Whether you enjoy it cold for lunch or warm as your main, this dish is one to savor, especially its spiced oil. Perfection! 

12. Indian Shepherd’s Pie

Another veggie delight, this spiced Indian shepherd’s pie is a truly fragrant dish. Also known as Garam Masala, this pie is topped off with curry and mashed potatoes.

Forget any shepherds pie you’ve had before, this is one of the best you will ever try! 

13. Lentil Mushroom Ragu

With a blend of walnuts, red lentils, mushrooms, and tomatoes, this vegan pasta sauce improves any pasta dish tenfold. It even works well with lentil meatballs!

Although this dish contains a wide range of ingredients, they all combine perfectly, especially when enjoyed with a piece of fresh bread. 

14. Zucchini-Lentil Fritters With Lemony Yogurt

It’s all about the texture with these zucchini fritters. Inspired by Piyaju, a traditional Bengali sack, these lentil fritters are amazingly crispy after being blended and soaked in red lentils, alongside chili powder and turmeric. 

15. Celery Lentil Salad

It doesn’t come much healthier than celery salad with almonds and dates! This lentil salad is super easy to make and, best of all, it will keep for days in the refrigerator, so you can keep coming back for more!

You can add some shaved pecorino to it too, or just keep it vegan.

16. Seared Ahi with Moroccan Lentils 

This Moroccan dish is one of the best on our list. Fennel and Cumin crusted Ahi is served on top of sumptuous lentils, alongside fresh herbs, roasted baby carrots, and a drizzle of yogurt, resulting in a rainbow of incredible flavors.

17. Vegan Lentil Tacos

Looking for a new type of taco to try? This easy to make vegan lentil taco recipe should not be ignored! Yes, beans taste great in tacos, but sometimes we need something different.

Try mashing up the insides of this taco for a texture like no other, and if you like meat, try them with chicken or shrimp. Sweet potatoes also work well! 

18. Lentil Purée With Cumin, Cilantro, and Lime

When it comes to dips, the creamier they are, the better. This lentil Purée With Cumin, Cilantro, and Lime lives up to this belief. Known as Fava in Greece, this purée is easy to blend and pairs exceptionally well with fish.

It also works excellently as part of a meze spread. 

19. Lentil Salad With Mint and Yogurt

A dish that makes you feel like spring is in the air. Refreshing and uplifting, this lentil Salad With Mint and Yogurt sauce is a healthy and delicious recipe, inspired by Greek cuisine.

You can also adapt it to be gluten and vegan-friendly.

20. Coconut Lentil Curry

If you’re like us, you love your curries as creamy as possible. If so, this coconut lentil curry is a dream come true.

Made in an instant pot or over the stove, this dish is infused with powerful Indian spices, and it can be adapted with meat. Best of all, though, this particular recipe is completely vegan and gluten-free. 

21. Spicy Lamb and Lentils With Herbs

Now one for the meat eaters! With fragrant lamb pieces and loads of fresh herbs, this lentil dish pairs wonderfully well with goat cheese mashed on the side.

Whether you want it for lunch or dinner, this spicy Lamb and Lentils With Herbs dish will always please your taste buds. 

22. Hearty Spaghetti with Lentils & Marinara Sauce

Everyone loves spaghetti, but there are so many variations you can make. This lentil spaghetti dish is just one example. With lentils used instead of ground meat, the texture is similar but vegetarian-friendly.

Add some extra marinara sauce, though, as the lentils tend to soak it all up pretty quickly. 

23. Beluga Lentil and Root Vegetable Slaw

Colorful, tasty, and easy to make, this Beluga Lentil and Root Vegetable Slaw recipe is a must-try. You can use any type of crunchy fruit or vegetable in the recipe, and it will work every time.

We also recommend shaving small turnips, fennel, or an Asian pear into the dish for added texture and flavor. 

24. Jalebi

Originally from South Asia, Jalebi are full of protein and incredibly tasty fried sweets. In the recipe, ivory white lentil powder, also known as urad dal, is used, and you’ll be pleased to know that the entire recipe is quick and easy to make.

25. Roasted Salmon with Braised French Lentils

We couldn’t leave off fish from our list today, so here is a seafood and lentil fan’s favorite. This Roasted Salmon with Braised French Lentils recipe is made with thyme and lemon for a fresh flavor and served over braised French green lentils.

So, if you’ve been searching for a healthy weekday dinner dish with fish and lentils, this is the recipe to try!

26. Grilled Cauliflower and Broccoli With Lentils

Gluten-free and super nourishing, this Grilled Cauliflower and Broccoli With Lentils recipe is quick and very easy to prepare. Oh, and it’s extremely flavorful!

All you’ll need to do is get the blender out from the cupboard, pop the grill on, and be prepared to use a whole lot of olive oil. In the end, you’ll have yourself one of the best and healthiest lentil dishes around. 

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