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Chipotle Lentil Tacos

Chipotle Lentil Tacos turn this tasty vegetarian swap into an instant taco party! They’re packed with protein, have literally half the fat of their meaty counterparts, and totally delicious too.Choosing vegan options for the toppings and either skipping or veganizing the aioli will make these tacos gloriously plant-based! I also love them with a little vegan sour cream on top. Delicious!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 6 tacos
Calories: 202 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried lentils
  • 3.5 cups water
  • ½ cup salsa verde
  • 1 cup store bought or homemade enchilada sauce
  • 1-2 tsp of your favorite hot sauce
  • 2 tsp adobo sauce (from a can of chipotle peppers)
  • taco seasoning blend - recipe below
  • 6 crunchy taco shells, toasted
  • all your favorite toppings from the list below!
SEASONING BLEND
  • ¾ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp salt
TASTY TOPPINGS
  • shredded romaine or spring mix lettuce
  • grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • greek yogurt or sour cream (skip for vegan)
  • salsa
  • chopped tomatoes
  • fresh or pickled jalapeños
  • sliced olives
  • fresh cilantro
  • Pico de Gallo
  • guacamole
CHIPOTLE AIOLI
  • ½ cup quality mayo
  • ⅓ cup plain greek yogurt
  • 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 small chipotle pepper
  • 1 tsp chipotle adobo sauce
  • ¼ tsp Cajun seasoning blend or to taste
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper to taste a pinch of salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Rinse and sort 1 cup of lentils.
  2. Heat 3 cups of water in a pot until it's just about to boil, add lentils and reduce to simmer. Cover with the lid slightly tipped to vent and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until tender.
  3. While the lentils are simmering, you'll have enough time to get your taco shells and toppings ready so everything is good to go in about 25 minutes!
  4. To make the sauce, simply combine ingredients and blend! Feel free to add extra chipotle pepper or adobo to taste if you like a crazy strong chipotle kick. It's best to start out small and then add as you go.  I used an immersion blender to make my sauce and the recipe works great in a small food processor too. No blender? No problem! You can use the adobo sauce to season the aioli or mince your peppers really small by hand if you'd like. Both options will add lots of smoky flavor. Simply adjust amount to taste.
  5.  Aioli TIP: I like to dive in with a tortilla chip and give the mixture a taste. Adjust smokiness and heat level until you reach your perfect level of deliciousness and then load up those tacos, yo!
  6. Tip on not eating the entire mixture with tortilla chips before dinner: None. I have none. #allthechipsandlentils
  7. Once the lentils are ready, drain them over the sink and return to the pot. Add salsa, hot sauce, adobo sauce, and  taco seasoning blend. Mix well and warm over low heat until the mixture's hot and ready!
  8. Assemble your tacos and dig in!

Notes

  • Since they hold their shape the best, I totally suggest using brown/green lentils for these tasty tacos!
  • While the smokiness and bold flavor is controlled by the chipotle peppers and sauce, the heat is mostly controlled by the cayenne. Feel free to use paprika in place of the cayenne if desired.
  • The aioli recipe makes about 3/4 cup of sauce. Feel free to halve the recipe if you only want a little. 
  • Nutrition Facts below are estimated using an online recipe nutrition calculator. For easy customization, nutrition values are for taco shells with seasoned lentil taco filling. Add choice of toppings and adjust as needed. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Calories 202kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 32g (11%) Protein 10g (20%) Fat 4g (6%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 1022mg (43%) Potassium 372mg (11%) Fiber 11g (44%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 464IU (9%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 38mg (4%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6tacos

Amount Per Serving

Calories 202

% Daily Value*

Calories 202kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 32g 11%
Protein 10g 20%
Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 1022mg 43%
Potassium 372mg 8%
Fiber 11g 44%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 464IU 9%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 38mg 4%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.