Chipotle Lentil Tacos
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
6 tacos
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Calories
202 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Tex-Mex
Chipotle Lentil Tacos
Description
This recipe uses brown or green lentils simmered until tender and then combined with a sauce of salsa verde, enchilada sauce, hot sauce, and chipotle adobo for layered smoky, spicy flavors. A seasoning blend of cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, and salt enhances the savory notes. The lentil filling is served in toasted crunchy taco shells and topped with fresh ingredients such as shredded romaine or spring mix, grated sharp cheddar cheese, salsa, chopped tomato, jalapeño, olives, cilantro, Pico de Gallo, and guacamole, allowing customizable flavors and textures. A chipotle aioli made from mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, chipotle peppers, and Cajun spices offers a creamy, smoky addition to the tacos.
The smoky flavor intensity can be adjusted by varying chipotle pepper and cayenne pepper amounts. The recipe suggests tasting the aioli with a chip dip for seasoning adjustments. Brown or green lentils hold their shape well, creating a satisfying texture within the tacos. This plant-based filling provides a hearty option for taco night, combining smoky, spicy, and fresh elements.
Practical tips include choosing the right lentils for best texture and adjusting heat levels according to preference. The aioli recipe yields about three-quarters of a cup, which can be halved if less sauce is needed.
Ingredients
- 1 cup lentils dried
- 3.5 cups water
- ½ cup salsa verde
- 1 cup enchilada sauce store bought or homemade
- 1-2 tsp of your favorite hot sauce
- 2 tsp adobo sauce (from a can of chipotle peppers)
- taco seasoning blend recipe below
- 6 taco shells crunchy, 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
- romaine lettuce or spring mix, shredded
- cheddar cheese grated sharp
- Greek yogurt skip for vegan, or sour cream
- salsa
- tomato chopped
- jalapeño fresh or pickled
- olives sliced
- cilantro fresh
- Pico de Gallo
- guacamole
CHIPOTLE AIOLI
- ½ cup mayonnaise quality
- ⅓ cup yogurt plain, Greek
- 2 tsp lemon juice fresh
- 1 chipotle pepper small
- 1 tsp chipotle adobo sauce
- ¼ tsp Cajun seasoning blend or to taste
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper to taste a pinch of salt
Instructions
- Rinse and sort 1 cup of lentils.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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!
- Tip on not eating the entire mixture with tortilla chips before dinner: None. I have none. #allthechipsandlentils
- 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!
- Assemble your tacos and dig in!
Notes
- Use brown or green lentils for best shape and texture in the taco filling.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to control the heat; paprika can be used as a milder substitute.
- The chipotle aioli recipe makes about 3/4 cup; halve the ingredients if less sauce is desired.
- Taste the aioli with a chip to calibrate smokiness and spice before serving.
- Nutrition values account for taco shells and seasoned lentils; customize toppings to fit dietary needs.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6tacos
Amount Per Serving
Calories 202 kcal
% 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.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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