Lentil Taco Meat (Instant Pot, Oil-Free)

Lentil taco meat is protein-packed dish is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Plus, it's vegan and gluten-free.

This is easy to make and takes a few minutes to make the healthy taco filling that is plant-based and high in protein.

Lentil Taco meat is a vegan alternative to the meat filling of traditional tacos. These lentil meat fillings are equally healthy and rich in protein. Hence anytime is a better option for vegans and even omnivores will enjoy these delicious lentil tacos. Knw more health benefits of lentils here.

Why you'll love this Lentil taco meat?

Lentil taco meat is vegan, gluten-free

Can customize with seasonings and flavors

Plant-based protein

High protein vegan food

Good for digestion as compared to animal meat

Insanely delicious and filling

How to make lentil taco meat?

Instant pot is the best gadget to cook beans and pulses like lentils. If you are using uncooked lentils, then instant pot is the best way to make delicious lentil tacos with a little time invested in the process. In addition, you can easily make it even healthier by eliminating the oil from it.

However, if you are using canned or cooked lentils, then I would cook that on the stovetop. In this case, the lentils are already cooked and sauteing them along with onion garlic and seasonings to infuse flavor is much easier when doing in a skillet on the stovetop. You can choose to cook in the instant pot too but the timing (3 minutes approximately) will be much less than the uncooked lentils.

Instant Pot Lentil Taco Meat

Here I have taken uncooked brown/green lentils. And I am using my instant pot to make the lentil taco meat. And it's way lot easier than you can even think it would be.

Ingredients you will need -

Uncooked brown or green lentils - These are the best lentils since they don't turn mushy. Avoid red lentils for this recipe.

Broth - Vegetable broth adds flavor. 1 portion of uncooked lentil will take 1 1/4cups broth to cook

Walnuts - This will add a nice texture to the lentils. However this is optional and can skip it completely.

Seasonings - Taco seasonings. Sub - cumin powder, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt & pepper

Olive oil - optional. Can skip easily.

Tomato paste - Sub - diced tomatoes fresh 1

Instructions

I'm making oil-free and so I dump all the ingredients in the inner pot and cook. Close the lid with pressure valve on SEAL position. Start the instant pot at manual pressure cook for 9 minutes on high pressure.

It will take 4 minutes approximately to come to the pressure level. Once the cooking time is done and it starts to beep, let it be on warm mode for 15 minutes, till when it will release some pressure naturally.

Turn the pressure valve to VENTING to release rest of the pressure. Open the lid and mash lightly with back side of the wooden spoon.

Note - If you see some extra liquid left in the pot, don't panic. Start the saute function for 2 - 3 minutes. Cover with a glass lid so that it won't splash outside while spluttering. Also lentils thickens a little more while cooling down to gradually.

Give a nice stir once completely done and serve warm over the tacos or tortilla wraps along with other toppings.

How to store?

This stays good for up to 5 - 6 days. To refrigerate the leftover lentils, store them in an air tight container.

These are also freezer friendly. To store in the freezer, divide the lentils into small portions and transfer to a zip lock freezer bag when it's completely at room temperature. Seal and store for up to 2 - 3 months.

To reheat, transfer the content to a pot or bowl and heat up till warm, stirring in between.