Cook Your Meatless Monday Dinner on the Cheap With These 15 Lentil Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the best lentils for meat substitute? ›

The best lentils to use as a beef substitute are brown and green, as they have a milder flavor than red lentils, which means they are more willing to soak up different flavors and adapt to being used as a substitute.

By mixing raw ground meat with cooked lentils in a ratio of 3:1 or 2:1, you can boost your dish's protein, iron, fiber and folate content. Lentils can also be pureed or pulsed in a food processor to act as a binder, in place of egg or breadcrumbs.

Aim to soak your beans or lentils for at least 4 hours, and preferably overnight. Dump the soaking water (i.e. don't use it to cook the beans). Then be sure to give your beans/lentils a good rinse before cooking to wash away those gas-producing carbohydrates. Introduce them slowly.

The word 'pulse' is used to describe the seeds you can eat found in the pods, such as beans, peas, and lentils. Foods in this subgroup include beans (kidney beans, pinto beans, white beans, black beans, lima beans, fava beans, soy beans), dried peas (chickpeas, black-eyed peas, pigeon peas, split peas), and lentils.

Black Beluga lentils have the most flavor, adding a rich, earthy taste and a firm texture that holds up well during cooking. Black lentils will be ready in 20–25 minutes; however, they will fall apart like their brown, green, and red partners once you cook them for too long.

While brown lentils are fairly 'all-purpose,' red/yellow lentils are best for soups and stews where their mushy texture works well. In comparison, green and brown lentils maintain their shape after cooking and are great for salads, casseroles, side dishes, etc.

Soak lentils before cooking them to minimize the gas they might cause. The soaking process will help get rid of some of the oligosaccharides, like raffinose that can make you feel gassy and bloated.

Bottom Line. If beans make you uncomfortably gassy, sprinkle a little baking soda into their soaking water. It will reduce the volume of gas produced by the legumes, plus, they will cook quicker. If you're even shorter on time, you may want to try some of our favorite recipes to make with a can of black beans.

Like beans, lentils also contain FODMAPs. These sugars may contribute to excessive gas production and bloating, especially in people with IBS ( 8 ). However, soaking or spouting the lentils before you eat them can make them much easier on the digestive system ( 6 ).

Urad dal or black lentil is one of the most nutritious pulses known to mankind. Low in fat and calories, Urad dal helps to improve digestion.

What is healthier than lentils? ›

However, because they are good fats, we're willing to declare Chickpeas as the winner when it comes to fats. Fats from plants and vegetables in particular tend to be healthy. Chickpea and lentils both only contain what scientists consider "good fats." Therefore, Chickpeas are better as they have more "good fats."

VeryMeaty notes that lentils can be substituted any time you would use ground beef or turkey in a recipe. 1 cup of uncooked lentils is equal to approximately 1 pound of ground beef. Lentils are a great option when making vegetarian meatballs or hamburger patties because of their texture.

Since lentils are packed with protein they make a wonderful, meaty base for many plant-based dishes. Using a protein packed legume that is wholly derived from the Earth, is a healthier meat substitute choice than processed meat substitute products.

Lentils are a healthy and budget-friendly alternative to meat. They are the perfect mince substitute in this tasty vegetarian cannelloni.

Beans and Legumes

Cooked legumes such as beans, chickpeas, and lentils can be swapped for a lot of ground beef recipes. Buying canned or dried beans instead of meat can also save you money. In addition to protein, beans, and legumes are packed with health-beneficial fiber, vitamins, and minerals.