These simple spiced lentils are an easy, budget-friendly dinner idea! They’re packed with tons of plant based protein for a healthy, vegan, & gluten-free meal idea!
Benefits of Cooking with Lentils
Can we talk about how awesome lentils are? They contain a whopping 9 grams of protein per 1⁄2-cup serving. A bowl of lentil soup like this one can easily provide more than 20 grams of protein. Plus, they’re easy on the budget.
All the ingredients for this recipe (with the exception of some of the spices that I already had) cost me about $8, and this could easily feed a whole family! I love showing how healthy meals don’t have to be expensive. To save even more money, grab your lentils in the bulk bin! It tends to be cheaper than buying bags of lentils.
Buying Fresh Lentils
One quick note: be sure your lentils aren’t too old. Although lentils don’t “go bad” like a lot of other ingredients, if your lentils are old they won’t soften properly. They still last a long time, but unfortunately, sometimes the lentils you buy at the grocery store have already been sitting on the shelf for a month. I try to get them in the bulk bins because they tend to be fresher!
So if you’re looking for a quick, easy, healthy recipe, try these simple spiced lentils for dinner tonight!
Prep Time:
Yield:
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PinIngredients
- 1 cup dried brown lentils
- 2 1/4 cups vegetable broth, divided
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- black pepper, to taste
- 1/8 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika or paprika
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Place lentils in a medium-sized pot, with 2 cups of vegetable broth.
- Bring to a boil.
- Cover, reduce, and simmer 20 minutes or until lentils are just tender.
- Note: Make sure your lentils are tender! Ours were still firm so I added more broth and cooked longer!
- Drain well.
- Heat olive oil in a medium-sized skillet, over medium heat.
- Add chopped garlic cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato sauce, remaining vegetable broth, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, ginger, cumin, turmeric, paprika, garam masala, and cooked lentils.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro when ready to serve.
I’m kind of obsessed with lentils and how delicious they are. They’re such an awesome vegetarian source of protein and the offer the kind of heartiness that will satisfy even the meat eaters in the family!
What’s your favorite way to use lentils?
Recipe looks yummy! And though we don’t have Relay in my neck of the woods, our Kroger stores are rolling out a similar service. Yay for us. Thanks for posting!
I really like mixing lentils in with Mac and cheese. It’s kind of like the “Mac and Peas” I used to make when I was a kid, but grown up hahaha. Now, I still use fun shaped pasta 😉
I haven’t put in a Relay order in ages! I need to get on that once I’m back home and on a regular schedule!
Yum! Your lentils look and sound amazing. I will have to check and see if there is a Relay near me! Thanks for the coupon and the heads up on their ordering system. Love the idea of finding a recipe and just subtracting what I don’t need! Now, if only I could upload all of my recipes into their system!
I’ve never had lentils, but you’ve made me curious about them!
These lentils look so inviting! And they are packed with my favorite spices. I have lentils waiting for me at home to be cooked thus way. Can’t wait to try it 🙂
These sound absolutely delicious Liz!
I like the thought of adding cilantro with lentils! Pinned and excited to try!
I have been enjoying lentils myself lately. I look forward to trying!
lentil is my fav..and usually add it to my chili 🙂
This looks so yummy!
This looks like the perfect dish to whip up on a busy weeknight!!
★★★★
I have to say I have actually been scared to cook with lentils for a long time, but I need to bite the bullet and just cook some. Love how simple this looks!
I don’t know if they have Relay in my area, but def gonna check it out!
Thanks for sharing the recipe. I have lentils but not many ideas on how to make them. And your food service sounds amazing. I’m jealous!
Oh these look simply delicious, I love lentils as they are a great source for plant protein!
Love the simplicity of this dish and the goodness of the plant-based protein!
I’ve never heard of Relay foods, but it sounds a little like Sam’s Club pick-up. You can order the day before, and then you can go pick it up. It’s so convenient. 🙂 And fall has pretty much come here; although it’s still got a few days of warm summery temperatures.
And this looks really yummy; we don’t eat lentils a lot, but this would be a yummy dish to eat.
ohh i make simple spiced lentils all the time! perfect on top of salads or for a filling snack 🙂
I cook with lots of lentils as well. Love them hot and cold in salads. Thanks for linking up today
Lentils and pulses are such a great way of eating both healthily and economically, and you can really play with the flavours via spicing. I love that yours look perfectly cooked, I’m not keen on lentils when they’re cooked to mush!
I love lentils and always looking for new recipes. Can’t wait to try this.
I love how quick and simple these are to make. I’m sure the flavor is great!
I absolutely love these! I would not be able to share as I love lentils so much; love all the spices you’ve used, they must taste sublime!
I have never tried green lentils! They look delicious!
You do not mention how much broth to use in the lentils vs the sauce. Winging it here. Advice?
So sorry for the confusion! I’ve clarified in the recipe. 2 cups to cook the lentils and the remaining 1/4 cup for the sauce. Thank you for pointing that out!
Thanks Liz! For the record, I ended up needing more liquid for the lentils than mentioned. Not sure if it’s because my lentils were from a bag (eg old-ish) or not? Anyway, this recipe had great flavor, was super easy, and very filling! Thanks for the share.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! And that’s a good thing to note- I’ve found that sometimes I need more liquid depending on if I end up simmering it on a higher heat! I’ll definitely note that in case other people have a similar thing happen!
This was simple and delicious. Thank you for sharing
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Kristy!