Lentil Tacos
These lentil tacos stretch a half-pound of ground beef further by combining it with protein-rich lentils, seasoned with taco seasoning and salsa. It's a budget-friendly, higher-fiber take on taco night that doesn't skimp on flavor.
You Will Need
- Pot
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup dried lentils, rinsed
- About 2 cups water
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2/3 cup salsa
- 12 taco shells
- 1/4 head of lettuce (optional)
- Shredded cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1Cook the lentils: In a pot, combine the lentils and water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until soft, about 15–30 minutes.
- Step 2Cook the ground beef: In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until fully cooked, about 5–8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Step 3Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Step 4Add the garlic, lentils, ground beef, and taco seasoning. Cook and stir for 1 minute.
- Step 5Stir in the salsa, or serve it on top of the tacos.
- Step 6Serve about 1/4 cup of the lentil mixture in each taco shell.
- Step 7Add your favorite taco toppings.
Tips & Substitutions
Cooking tip: Always rinse lentils and check for stones — lentils cook quickly. Nutrition fact: Lentils are high in protein and can be used as a meat substitute. Choose flour tortillas for a soft-shell taco to reduce dietary fat. Substitutions: Substitute the ground beef for another ground meat (turkey, chicken, etc.). You can also enjoy the lentil/meat mixture in quesadillas.
Printable Recipe Card
