One-Pot Quinoa & Lentils

This vegan and gluten-free recipe is full of flavor and high in protein. It’s also simple to make and budget-friendly. And, since it only takes one pot, clean-up is a breeze!

Prep.: 5 Min., Cook: 25 Min., Total: 30 Min., Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 cup green lentils (or brown)
  • 1 cup canned black beans (optional)
  • 1 cup diced red onion
  • 1 cup sliced celery
  • 3/4 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned with juice or substitute salsa)
  • 1 cup sweetcorn kernels (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 minced small jalapeno (optional)
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 3/4 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp. chipotle powder
  • Salt (to taste)
  • 1/3 cup chopped cilantro

Optional for Serving:

  • 2 sliced medium avocados
  • Dairy-free vegan sour cream (to taste)
  • Dairy-free vegan Mexican cheese (to taste)

Directions:

Pour the vegetable broth into a small saucepan and warm over medium-high heat until it simmers. Remove from heat.

Combine the quinoa, lentils, black beans, onion, celery, carrots, tomatoes, corn, jalapeno, oregano, cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and chipotle powder in a large saucepan. Add the pre-heated broth.

Allow to simmer covered over low heat for 15 minutes undisturbed. Mix gently. Add more broth if needed to keep the quinoa submerged. Cook covered for 5 more minutes.

Remove from heat. Allow to rest covered for five minutes. Remove the lid and stir. Add salt to taste.
Garnish each serving with cilantro. If desired, also garnish with avocado, cheese, and sour cream.

Notes:

Quinoa and lentils are best when left to soak overnight. Always be sure to thoroughly rinse them before cooking. This will help remove the quinoa’s slightly bitter flavor and reduce the foam from the lentils.
The spices and vegetables in this recipe are flexible and can be modified to what you have on hand. A large variety of vegetables, herbs, and spices work well if you keep the same quantity.

Resource:

Melvani, Nisha, RDN. 2022. “High-Protein One-Pot Quinoa & Lentils.” Cooking for Peanuts, Easy & Affordable Vegan Longevity Recipies. https://cookingforpeanuts.com/high-protein-quinoa-lentils-without-oil/#recipe

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