Why is my lentil loaf mushy?

If you find your lentil loaf mushy, too much moisture is most likely the culprit . To combat this, when cooking the lentils, be sure to cook down the water all the way. There should be no more than 1 tablespoon of water (and it's okay if there is none).

How to reheat lentil loaf in the oven?

Lentil Loaf Slices: Reheat in toaster oven or air fryer for 3-4 minutes. Loaf: Reheat in oven 400 degrees for 15 minutes until warm . Cut in slices and serve.

How many calories are in lentil loaf?

There are 177 calories in 100 grams of Lentil Loaf.

Which lentils don t get mushy?

Which Lentils to Buy for Weeknight Meals. For weeknight meals, I like keeping green or brown lentils in our cupboard. These cook quickly and evenly without becoming mushy and are the most versatile for our recipes.

How long to soak lentils until soft?

How To Soak Right? Soaking lentils for two- eight hours is mostly recommended. In a bowl add the dal and rinse it with water, changing the water 3-4 times and clean it gently by stroking with your fingers. Now add water to a bowl and soak the dal for about 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the type of lentil.

Are lentils healthier than bread?

Summary: You have a greater possibility of losing weight if you eat a diet that is high in foods like lentils that release energy slowly once they have been consumed, rather than one that is high in foods that rapidly release sugar into the blood stream such as white bread, a Cochrane systematic review has concluded.

Does lentil bread have carbs?

Country Harvest Chickpea & Lentil Bread (1 slice) contains 17g total carbs , 14g net carbs, 2.5g fat, 5g protein, and 100 calories.

Are cooked lentils high in calories?

They are rich in minerals, protein, and fiber. 100 grams (g) of cooked lentils contains : 116 calories (kcal) 9.02 g of protein.

How do you keep lentils from getting mushy?

But because lentils are so small and cook quickly, you don't need to soak them first. How do you prevent them from going mushy? Once you've brought the lentils to a boil, turn the heat as low as it'll go.

Why did my lentils turn to mush?

Cooking them at a rapid simmer can lead to them splitting their skins from the pressure and thus lead to mushy results . Follow this tip: Trust that a gentle simmer will cook the lentils perfectly. Bring the pot to a rapid simmer first, then reduce the heat to low so that the pot just barely bubbles.

Why did my meatloaf turn out mushy?

But what causes this to happen in the first place? The most common reason meatloaf is mushy is too much liquid added to the mixture .

Does lentil pasta get mushy?

One of the most common questions surrounding lentil pasta is how to cook it properly, as unlike traditional pasta, it tends to become softer and stickier when boiled. Incorrect cooking methods can lead to a mushy texture which may not be appetizing.

Vegan Lentil Loaf Recipe (2024)

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The best vegan lentil loaf recipe loaded with meaty mushrooms, oats, veggies and fresh herbs then covered in a blanket of smooth Italian tomato sauce. Protein packed, healthy, filling, meatless, without eggs, oil-free and super tasty. The leftovers make a nice hearty vegan meatloaf sandwich you’ll be happy to have in your lunchbox.

Jump to Recipe

Vegan Lentil Loaf

A.K.A a vegan meatloaf that is made of lentils, mushrooms and veggies; meatless, kind and good for you! The recipe is whole food plant based compliant, no eggs, no cheese, no oil. Hearty, savory and beyond delicious, this loaf is loaded with tons of nutrition and Italian flavor, you’ll be licking your plates sparkling clean.

Perfect for Sunday dinner any time of the year but also festive enough to grace the holiday table for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter. Serve it on a bed of these fluffy vegan mashed potatoes and some creamed spinach on the side. The leftovers can be enjoyed cold in a sandwich or pressed with some vegan cheese in a panini press.

How It’s Done

You start by sautéing all your veggies with onions (or leeks) and boiling the lentils. Everything gets combined then half of he mixture chopped up in the food processor. It’s all about getting the right texture to form the perfect loaf. We combine everything together again and start adding in some bread crumbs to hold the loaf together and absorb any extra moisture. Shape and bake the loaf for 30 minute until set then brush it with your favorite tomato sauce and bake another 10 minutes or so. Easy, delicious!

About the Lentils

I love using tiny French lentils in this recipe as they hold their shape beautifully during the cooking process which helps control the final texture of the loaf. They grow in the Puy region of central France, hence the name “lentilles du Puy” or Puy lentils. They have a nutty earthy flavor with a firm texture even after cooking, which makes them ideal for this recipe but also to be used in salads and rustic soups that you don’t intend to blend into obliteration.

All things considered, any green or brown lentil variety should work fine in a lentil loaf, but do not use red lentils here as they pretty much disintegrate during cooking and you might end up with a pile of mush. Personally I want any leftovers to slice up nicely and hold together tight enough to make a sandwich perfect for dunking in a bowl of mushroom gravy. Canned green or brown lentils could be used in a pinch, just make sure to rinse and drain them well first.

Recipe Tips + FAQs

Make Burger Patties – If you prefer to keep your dinner more casual and way faster, you are welcome to shape the vegan meatloaf mixture into burger patties. Pan sear in a cast iron skillet and serve on toasted buns with lots of tomato sauce and gravy for dipping.
Make it Gluten-Free – This loaf can easily be made gluten free by simply using gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Use a Loaf Pan – If you don’t feel like shaping your loaf you can simply pack it into a parchment lined loaf pan and call it a day.
Add Ins – To give it a little Italian sausage flair add in a couple of teaspoons of both fennel seeds, sage and oregano.
Storage – Any leftover loaf can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container up to 5 days. Individual slices wrapped in parchment paper and bagged can be frozen up to 4 months.
Reheating– Preheat your oven to 300″F. Place the leftover loaf on a parchment lined baking dish and bake in the preheated oven until heated through, 45 minutes or so. Alternatively you can reheat individual slices in a cast iron skillet on the stop top. The quickest route would be to pop it in the microwave for a couple of minutes, just make sure to only use glass or ceramic dishes, never use plastic for microwaving food.
note worthy: There are about 50 different varieties of lentils out there loaded withsoluble fiber and protein! 1 cup lentils contains 18 g of protein and 16 g of fiber.Unlike beansthey do not need any presoaking and are ready in about 30 minutes depending on the variety used or so.

Serving suggestions…

Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Avocado Mashed Potatoes
Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
Vegan Mac and Cheese
Dinner Rolls
Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes
Italian Bread Recipe
Vegan Stuffing+ Creamed Peas
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Creamy Potato Salad.

how to make the best vegan lentil loaf

4.50 from 6 votes

Vegan Lentil Loaf (Vegan Meatloaf)

The best vegan lentil loaf recipe loaded with mushrooms, carrots, peppers, oats and fresh herbs covered in a blanket of smooth Italian tomato sauce. Healthy, filling and super tasty.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:50 minutes mins

Total Time:1 hour hr

Ingredients

2 cups French lentils -cooked & drained well ( start with 1 cup dry)
1 large carrot -grated or finely finely chopped
1/2 yellow onion ( or 1/2 leek) -chopped
1 cup cremini mushrooms -chopped
1 cup red bell pepper -diced
1/2 cup quick oats
2 tbsp walnut parmesan (or nutritional yeast flakes)
1/2 cup bread crumbs -plain whole wheat or gluten-free
3 cloves garlic -grated
2 tbsp flax meal (I used flax & chia mix)
1/3 cup + 2 tbsp Italian marinara sauce
1.5 tbsp liquid aminos
1 tsp onion powder
3/4 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
2 tbsp thyme leaves -fresh
2 tbsp fresh Italian parsley -roughly chopped
3 tbsp onion chives -chopped
2 tbsp basil leaves -for garnish
1 drizzle olive oil or a splash of water

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350”F.
In a large skillet over medium flame saute the onion (or leeks), mushrooms and carrot with a pinch of sea salt and a splash of water, veggie broth (or a drizzle of olive oil) until softened. About 10 minutes or so. (If using leeks make sure to rinse them really well after chopping as they can be quite full of dirt and grit)
1 large carrot, 1/2 yellow onion ( or 1/2 leek), 1 cup cremini mushrooms, 1 drizzle olive oil or a splash of water
Stir in the bell pepper, garlic, paprika, onion powder, liquid aminos, flax meal, 2-3 tablespoons of marinara sauce and the fresh herbs (reserve some herbs for garnish). Remove from heat.
1 cup red bell pepper, 3 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp flax meal, 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp Italian marinara sauce, 1.5 tbsp liquid aminos, 1 tsp onion powder, 3/4 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp fresh Italian parsley, 3 tbsp onion chives, 2 tbsp thyme leaves
Add the walnut parmesan(or nutritional yeast) lentils and oats to the pan with the sauteed veggies and mix to combine.
Transfer half of the mixture to the bowl of a food processor and finely chop but not totally pureed, so keep a close eye on it.
2 cups French lentils, 2 tbsp walnut parmesan, 1/2 cup quick oats
Transfer the chopped mixture to the bowl with the reserved sautéed veggies, add the breadcrumbs and use your hands to mix it well. Taste and adjust seasonings with the sea salt.
IMPORTANT: The loaf should stick together nicely by now, however If you feel like it is too wet you can add more breadcrumbs at this point.
1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/4 tsp sea salt

Shape + Bake

Dump the mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet and shape into two loaves (it helps if you lightly oil your hands first).Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes have passed, carefully spoon the marinara sauce over the top and the sides of the loaves and bake another 10 minutes or so.
1/3 cup + 2 tbsp Italian marinara sauce
Remove the lentil loaves from the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve garnished with fresh basil and chives on a bed of mashed potatoes with extra tomato sauce on the side.
2 tbsp basil leaves, 3 tbsp onion chives

Video

Notes

Make Burger Patties - If you prefer to keep your dinner more casual and way faster, you are welcome to shape the vegan meatloaf mixture into burger patties. Pan sear in a cast iron skillet and serve on toasted buns with lots of tomato sauce and gravy for dipping.
Make it Gluten-Free - This loaf can easily be made gluten free by simply using gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Use a Loaf Pan - If you don't feel like shaping your loaf you can simply pack it into a parchment lined loaf pan and call it a day.
Add Ins - To give it a little Italian sausage flair add in a couple of teaspoons of both fennel seeds, sage and oregano.
Storage - Any leftover loaf can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container up to 5 days. Individual slices wrapped in parchment paper and bagged can be frozen up to 4 months.
How do you reheat lentil loaf? - Preheat your oven to 300"F. Place the leftover loaf on a parchment lined baking dish and bake in the preheated oven until heated through, 45 minutes or so. Alternatively you can reheat individual slices in a cast iron skillet on the stop top. The quickest route would be to pop it in the microwave for a couple of minutes, just make sure to only use glass or ceramic dishes, never use plastic for microwaving food.
Can I use canned lentils? - Canned green or brown lentils could be used in a pinch, just make sure to rinse and drain them well first.
note worthy: There are about 50 different varieties of lentils, all loaded withsoluble fiber and protein: 1 cup lentils contains 18 g of protein and 16 g of fiber.Unlike beansthey do not need any presoaking and are ready in about 30 minutes depending on the variety used.

Nutrition

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: lentil loaf, vegan meatloaf

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 278kcal

Author: Florentina