Slow Cooker Lentil Tacos Flavorful and Easy Meal

by Harper on February 27, 2025

Are you ready to spice up your dinner routine? My Slow Cooker Lentil Tacos are the answer! They’re simple, tasty, and packed with nutrition. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, you can create a meal that impresses. Imagine tender lentils simmered in savory spices, all wrapped in soft tortillas. Plus, they’re easily adaptable to your diet. Let’s dive in and make taco night healthier and easier!

$- 1 cup dry green or brown lentils, rinsed - 2 cups vegetable broth - 1 small onion, diced - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 bell pepper, diced (any color) - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained - 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought) - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - Salt and pepper to taste - 8 small corn or flour tortillas - Toppings: avocado slices, chopped cilantro, diced red onion, lime wedges To create these tasty slow cooker lentil tacos, start with dry lentils. I prefer green or brown lentils. They hold their shape well and cook nicely. Rinse them before adding to the slow cooker. Next, vegetable broth adds rich flavor and moisture. Make sure you have two cups. Fresh vegetables are key. Dice one small onion, mince two cloves of garlic, and chop one bell pepper, any color you like. These add a fresh crunch to the dish. For a burst of flavor, include canned diced tomatoes. Use a 14-ounce can and don't drain it. The juices help the lentils cook perfectly. Season the mix with taco seasoning and smoked paprika for that classic taco taste. Adjust salt and pepper to your liking. Don't forget the tortillas! You can use corn or flour tortillas. Finally, gather your toppings. Slices of avocado, chopped cilantro, diced red onion, and lime wedges will finish your tacos beautifully. {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Start by gathering all your ingredients. You need lentils, onion, garlic, bell pepper, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth. 2. In the slow cooker, combine 1 cup of rinsed lentils, 1 diced onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Add 1 diced bell pepper for color and crunch. 3. Pour in 1 can of diced tomatoes with their juices. This adds flavor and moisture. 4. Next, add 2 cups of vegetable broth. This will help cook the lentils and make a nice sauce. 5. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning and 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything well to mix. 6. Cover the slow cooker with its lid. You can set it to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The lentils should be soft when done. 7. After cooking, stir the lentil mixture. If it feels thick, add a splash of vegetable broth. Adjust seasoning if needed. 8. Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft. This makes them easier to fold. 9. Serve the lentil filling in the tortillas. Top with avocado slices, cilantro, red onion, and a squeeze of lime juice. Enjoy your tasty meal! Choosing lentils is key for great tacos. Green lentils hold their shape well. They have a peppery taste. Brown lentils cook faster and are milder. Both work well, but green lentils give a firmer bite. To boost flavor, try adding more spices. Consider chili powder for heat. A dash of cumin adds warmth. You can also mix in a tablespoon of lime juice. This brightens the dish and adds a fresh taste. To keep lentils from getting mushy, follow a few steps. First, rinse them well before cooking. This removes dust and helps them cook evenly. Second, don’t overcook. Check for tenderness around the cooking time. If they seem too thick, add more broth. This keeps it nice and hearty without being mushy. Pro Tips Soak Your Lentils: Soaking lentils for a few hours can help them cook faster and more evenly, though it's not necessary for this recipe. Customize Your Spices: Feel free to adjust the taco seasoning to your taste or add other spices like cumin or chili powder for extra flavor. Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables, especially the bell pepper and cilantro, will enhance the flavor and texture of your tacos. Extra Creaminess: For a creamier filling, mash some of the lentils slightly before serving to create a thicker texture. {{image_2}} You can add beans or quinoa to your lentil tacos. Black beans or pinto beans work well. They give a nice texture and extra protein. Quinoa is another great choice. It adds a nutty flavor and boosts nutrition. Mixing these with lentils creates a tasty and filling meal. You can adjust the amount based on your taste. This recipe is already vegan and can be made gluten-free. Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free choice. Check your taco seasoning for hidden gluten. Some brands add wheat. If you make your own seasoning, you control the ingredients. This way, you can ensure it fits your needs. Everyone can enjoy these tasty tacos. Get creative with your taco toppings! Avocado slices add creaminess. Chopped cilantro brings freshness. Diced red onion gives a nice crunch. You can also try pickled jalapeños for heat. Squeeze lime juice for a zesty kick. Other unique ideas include shredded cabbage or pineapple salsa. These toppings can change the whole flavor of your tacos. Experiment and find your favorites! To store your lentil tacos, let them cool first. Use an airtight container for best results. Keep them in the fridge for up to four days. Make sure to keep the lentil filling and tortillas separate. This helps the tortillas stay soft. If you want to freeze the lentil filling, let it cool completely. Use freezer-safe bags or containers. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. The lentil filling can last in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. To reheat the lentil filling, use a microwave or a skillet. If using a microwave, heat it in 30-second bursts. Stir in between to ensure even heating. If using a skillet, add a splash of vegetable broth to keep it moist. Warm the tortillas separately to keep them soft and warm. Enjoy your flavorful lentil tacos! Yes, you can use canned lentils. They are already cooked, so you will save time. Just rinse and drain them first. In this case, reduce the cooking time. You only need to heat the other ingredients together for about 30 minutes. This makes meal prep even easier. To spice up your lentil tacos, add more taco seasoning. You can also mix in chopped jalapeños or hot sauce. If you love heat, try adding cayenne pepper or chipotle powder. These ingredients will give your tacos a nice kick. If you want to try something different, there are many options. You can use lettuce leaves for a low-carb wrap. Corn or flour tortillas work well, but you can also try whole wheat wraps. For a fun twist, use pita bread or even rice paper. Each option adds a unique taste and texture. This blog post covered a simple lentil taco recipe, highlighting ingredients, steps, and tips. We learned how to mix lentils with tasty veggies and spices. You can customize flavors and textures to suit your taste. I also shared storage tips and answers to common questions. Lentils offer a healthy, fun way to enjoy tacos. With some creativity, you can make this dish your own. Enjoy cooking and savor your delicious lentil tacos!$

Why I Love This Recipe

Easy Preparation: This recipe comes together in just 15 minutes of prep time, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with protein and fiber, lentils are a great plant-based option that keeps you full and satisfied.
Customizable Toppings: With a variety of toppings like avocado, cilantro, and lime, everyone can personalize their tacos to their taste.
Comfort Food: These lentil tacos are hearty and comforting, making them a great choice for any taco lover.

Ingredients

List of Ingredients

– 1 cup dry green or brown lentils, rinsed

– 2 cups vegetable broth

– 1 small onion, diced

– 2 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)

– 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

– 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought)

– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

– Salt and pepper to taste

– 8 small corn or flour tortillas

– Toppings: avocado slices, chopped cilantro, diced red onion, lime wedges

To create these tasty slow cooker lentil tacos, start with dry lentils. I prefer green or brown lentils. They hold their shape well and cook nicely. Rinse them before adding to the slow cooker.

Next, vegetable broth adds rich flavor and moisture. Make sure you have two cups. Fresh vegetables are key. Dice one small onion, mince two cloves of garlic, and chop one bell pepper, any color you like. These add a fresh crunch to the dish.

For a burst of flavor, include canned diced tomatoes. Use a 14-ounce can and don’t drain it. The juices help the lentils cook perfectly. Season the mix with taco seasoning and smoked paprika for that classic taco taste. Adjust salt and pepper to your liking.

Don’t forget the tortillas! You can use corn or flour tortillas. Finally, gather your toppings. Slices of avocado, chopped cilantro, diced red onion, and lime wedges will finish your tacos beautifully.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation Steps

1. Start by gathering all your ingredients. You need lentils, onion, garlic, bell pepper, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth.

2. In the slow cooker, combine 1 cup of rinsed lentils, 1 diced onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Add 1 diced bell pepper for color and crunch.

3. Pour in 1 can of diced tomatoes with their juices. This adds flavor and moisture.

4. Next, add 2 cups of vegetable broth. This will help cook the lentils and make a nice sauce.

5. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning and 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything well to mix.

6. Cover the slow cooker with its lid. You can set it to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The lentils should be soft when done.

7. After cooking, stir the lentil mixture. If it feels thick, add a splash of vegetable broth. Adjust seasoning if needed.

8. Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft. This makes them easier to fold.

9. Serve the lentil filling in the tortillas. Top with avocado slices, cilantro, red onion, and a squeeze of lime juice. Enjoy your tasty meal!

Tips & Tricks

Selecting the Right Lentils

Choosing lentils is key for great tacos. Green lentils hold their shape well. They have a peppery taste. Brown lentils cook faster and are milder. Both work well, but green lentils give a firmer bite.

Enhancing Flavor

To boost flavor, try adding more spices. Consider chili powder for heat. A dash of cumin adds warmth. You can also mix in a tablespoon of lime juice. This brightens the dish and adds a fresh taste.

Texture Tips

To keep lentils from getting mushy, follow a few steps. First, rinse them well before cooking. This removes dust and helps them cook evenly. Second, don’t overcook. Check for tenderness around the cooking time. If they seem too thick, add more broth. This keeps it nice and hearty without being mushy.

Pro Tips

Soak Your Lentils: Soaking lentils for a few hours can help them cook faster and more evenly, though it’s not necessary for this recipe.
Customize Your Spices: Feel free to adjust the taco seasoning to your taste or add other spices like cumin or chili powder for extra flavor.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables, especially the bell pepper and cilantro, will enhance the flavor and texture of your tacos.
Extra Creaminess: For a creamier filling, mash some of the lentils slightly before serving to create a thicker texture.

Variations

Alternative Protein Options

You can add beans or quinoa to your lentil tacos. Black beans or pinto beans work well. They give a nice texture and extra protein. Quinoa is another great choice. It adds a nutty flavor and boosts nutrition. Mixing these with lentils creates a tasty and filling meal. You can adjust the amount based on your taste.

Vegan & Gluten-Free Options

This recipe is already vegan and can be made gluten-free. Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free choice. Check your taco seasoning for hidden gluten. Some brands add wheat. If you make your own seasoning, you control the ingredients. This way, you can ensure it fits your needs. Everyone can enjoy these tasty tacos.

Creative Taco Toppings

Get creative with your taco toppings! Avocado slices add creaminess. Chopped cilantro brings freshness. Diced red onion gives a nice crunch. You can also try pickled jalapeños for heat. Squeeze lime juice for a zesty kick. Other unique ideas include shredded cabbage or pineapple salsa. These toppings can change the whole flavor of your tacos. Experiment and find your favorites!

Storage Info

Refrigeration Guidelines

To store your lentil tacos, let them cool first. Use an airtight container for best results. Keep them in the fridge for up to four days. Make sure to keep the lentil filling and tortillas separate. This helps the tortillas stay soft.

Freezing Instructions

If you want to freeze the lentil filling, let it cool completely. Use freezer-safe bags or containers. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. The lentil filling can last in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight.

Reheating Tips

To reheat the lentil filling, use a microwave or a skillet. If using a microwave, heat it in 30-second bursts. Stir in between to ensure even heating. If using a skillet, add a splash of vegetable broth to keep it moist. Warm the tortillas separately to keep them soft and warm. Enjoy your flavorful lentil tacos!

FAQs

Can I use canned lentils instead of dried?

Yes, you can use canned lentils. They are already cooked, so you will save time. Just rinse and drain them first. In this case, reduce the cooking time. You only need to heat the other ingredients together for about 30 minutes. This makes meal prep even easier.

How can I make this recipe spicier?

To spice up your lentil tacos, add more taco seasoning. You can also mix in chopped jalapeños or hot sauce. If you love heat, try adding cayenne pepper or chipotle powder. These ingredients will give your tacos a nice kick.

What can I substitute for tortillas?

If you want to try something different, there are many options. You can use lettuce leaves for a low-carb wrap. Corn or flour tortillas work well, but you can also try whole wheat wraps. For a fun twist, use pita bread or even rice paper. Each option adds a unique taste and texture.

This blog post covered a simple lentil taco recipe, highlighting ingredients, steps, and tips. We learned how to mix lentils with tasty veggies and spices. You can customize flavors and textures to suit your taste. I also shared storage tips and answers to common questions.

Lentils offer a healthy, fun way to enjoy tacos. With some creativity, you can make this dish your own. Enjoy cooking and savor your delicious lentil taco

Slow Cooker Lentil Tacos

A hearty and flavorful taco filling made with lentils, perfect for a vegetarian meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 6

Total Time 7

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4

Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients

1 cup dry green or brown lentils, rinsed
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper diced (any color)
1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz), undrained
2 cups vegetable broth
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
to taste salt and pepper
8 small corn or flour tortillas
toppings: avocado slices, chopped cilantro, diced red onion, lime wedges

Instructions

In the slow cooker, combine the rinsed lentils, diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bell pepper.
Pour in the canned tomatoes (with their juices) and vegetable broth.
Add the taco seasoning, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the lentils are tender.
Once cooked, stir the mixture well. If it’s too thick, add a splash more of vegetable broth. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable.
Serve the lentil filling in the tortillas and add your favorite toppings like avocado, cilantro, red onion, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Notes

Adjust the seasoning to your taste and add more broth if needed.

Keyword lentils, slow cooker, tacos, vegetarian