lentil meatballs

Lentil Meatballs (Quick and Easy)

August 2, 2024

These easy Lentil Meatballs are a drool-worthy plant-based protein source. Made simply with lentils, tomato paste, onions, garlic, and flour, you can serve these meatballs as a snack or add them to salads, grain bowls, or pasta. They are a delicious source of protein and fiber. Not to mention, they are packed with protein, dairy-free, and can be made gluten-free. (Talk about a holy grail.)

Perfect for Meatless Mondays and vegetarian diets alike, these easy lentil meatballs are bound to become a staple in your weekly routine. These meatless meatballs also work wonderfully as a meal prep option!

Why You’ll Love Lentil Meatballs

Lentil meatballs are easy, nutritious, and incredibly tasty. Here are a few reasons why I know you’ll love this recipe:

  • Perfect for leftovers! Lentil meatballs are ideal for using up any leftover cooked lentils that you might have lying around in the fridge.
  • Vegan and (possibly!) gluten-free. These plant-based meatballs are dairy-free and perfect for vegan diets. They can also easily be made gluten-free if you use gluten-free flour.
  • Customizable. Fresh parsley and thyme are two delicious herbs that give these meatballs a boost of flavor. But of course, you can add additional herbs or spices. If you like things hot, chili powder or smoked paprika will surely give this dish a bit of extra heat. Oregano and basil are great for some Italian-inspired flavor.
  • Soft and golden-brown. The finished product is going to be delectably soft and golden brown. If you like your meatballs crispier, you can add more flour and finish cooking them in the oven. Baking will crisp up their outsides while keeping the insides nice and soft.
  • 15-minute meal. Lentil meatballs come together in just 15 minutes, making them the ideal weeknight entrée for those nights when you’re craving something hearty, yet aren’t necessarily in the mood to do a whole lot.
  • Ultra-versatile. These meatballs taste great with just about anything! You can use them to top off salads, sandwiches, pasta bowls, or whatever else your heart desires.

Lentil Meatballs

Recipe by: Kristen McCaffrey of Slender Kitchen
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 18 oz canned lentils, washed and drained
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 onion, minced (small, red, or white)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp all purpose flour (more as needed, or GF flour)
  • 1 Salt and black pepper to taste (sea salt or kosher)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, mix lentils, garlic, onion, tomato paste, parsley, thyme, flour, and season with salt, pepper. Use your hands or a fork to mash the lentils but not too much. Mix until combined.
  2. Heat a large nonstick skillet with oil on medium heat. Roll balls with your hands with the size you prefer. I, personally, prefer making bite-size.
  3. Lightly pan-fry balls by leaving a bit of space between them. Batch cook them if your skillet is not large enough. Cook until nicely brown all around the meatball. Prepare a plate with kitchen paper to absorb the excess oil when setting aside.
  4. Assemble your bowl with lettuce or arugula, cucumber, tomato, red cabbage, bell pepper, onion, and lentil balls. Serve warm or cold.

Nutritional Info

Calories 213; Carbohydrates 34 grams; Fat 4 grams; Protein 13 grams

Kristen McCaffrey makes a variety of healthy and delicious recipes that she shares on her website, SlenderKitchen.com

Kristen Mccaffrey

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kristen McCaffrey makes a variety of healthy and delicious recipes that she shares on her website, SlenderKitchen.com. Before diving into the world of healthy cooking, she struggled to lose weight, eat well, and find a healthy balance in her life. She has always been in love with food and enjoys healthy recipe development. Kristen is passionate about cooking and creating delicious recipes that encourage other people to eat healthy. See more recipes from Kristen!
Recipe Disclaimer: If you have specific dietary restrictions, allergies or a nutrition plan that you are following, make sure to read the ingredient list prior to consumption. All information on ObesityHelp.com is intended for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for consultation with a qualified medical professional. Please contact a medical professional with any questions and concerns.