Mexican Lentils

Name: Mexican Lentils Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 cups water; 1 cup lentils (I use orange lentils); 1 Tbsp. olive oil; 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1/2 cup green onions (chopped including green tops); 1/2 cup chopped sweet green pepper; 1 1/4 tsp. ground cumin; 1 Tbsp. chili powder; 1-227 ml. can tomato sauce; 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar; 1 Tbsp. molasses

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This Mexican Lentils recipe is one of those easy one-pot meals that you can make on repeat due to its lovely flavor and simple preparation. Lentils are cooked with cumin, chili powder, garlic and a dash of molasses to sweeten them just enough. Keep this wonderful vegetarian meal on hand for any weekday meal.

If you’d like to add more veggies to your diet, then you should definitely try these recipes: Healthy Quiche with Quinoa, Amazing Veggie Lasagna, and Zucchini Roll Ups.

What are Mexican Lentils

Mexican lentils are lentils cooked with bold Mexican-inspired flavors like tomatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, cumin, chili powder, and herbs. They’re hearty, comforting, and packed with flavor.

Why I Love This Recipe

Have made this recipe for decades
Great vegetarian night option
Super flavorful
Works well as a Mexican side dish too!
Easy to make

Helpful Items for This Recipe

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Ingredients to make Mexican Lentils

With smoky, savory flavor and a satisfying texture, these healthy lentils with Mexican flavors can be served on their own, over rice, in tacos, burritos, or as a flavorful side dish. This versatile recipe is budget-friendly, filling, and easy to customize with vegetables, beans, or spice levels.

Recipe Ingredients

Lentils – We used orange lentils as they cook fast and remain super tender. You can use brown lentils too, but cooking time will be longer, and it’s better to soak them in advance as well.

Olive oil – Just enough to sauté the vegetables.

Garlic cloves – It’s the flavor base, so use fresh garlic if possible.

Green onions – Use the whole thing, green tops included, for a mild, fresh bite.

Sweet green pepper – Adds a little sweetness and keeps the dish from feeling too heavy.

Ground cumin – It’s essential to this dish, don’t skip it.

Chili powder – The backbone of the flavor. Adjust the amount if you’re cooking for little ones.

Tomato sauce – Brings everything together into a saucy base.

Red wine vinegar – Just a splash for tanginess.

Molasses – Just one tablespoon adds a subtle sweetness that balances the spices beautifully.

How to make Mexican Lentils

Rinse and check over lentils for foreign pieces. In a small saucepan, bring the lentils to a boil with the water. Reduce to low, covered, and simmer 25-30 min., or until tender but not mushy. Do not overcook!

Meanwhile, in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, pour the oil, add the garlic, green onions, green pepper, cumin and chili powder. Sauté the ingredients until the veggies are tender crisp.

Stir in the tomato sauce, vinegar and molasses, stir and simmer for 1 min.

When lentils are cooked, add the vegetable mixture and heat through. Serve immediately.

Recipe Pro Tips

Tips for Perfect Lentils

The biggest thing with lentils is not overcooking them, as they go from perfectly tender to mushy fast. Start checking around the 20-minute mark and pull them off the heat as soon as they’re done. Red lentils cook quicker than other varieties, so don’t walk away. Also, rinse them really well before cooking and pick through for any small stones.

How to Store and Reheat

Leftovers keep really well in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container, and honestly, the flavor gets even better the next day once everything has had time to sit together. To reheat, just warm it up on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water to loosen it up. The microwave works too, just stir halfway through. This also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, so it’s a great one to double and stash for a busy weeknight.

What to Serve with Mexican Lentils

This is one of those flexible dishes that works with just about anything. We love it over plain white rice or brown rice for a simple, filling meal, but warm tortillas or flatbread on the side are just as good for scooping.

LOVE MEXICAN-INSPIRED MEALS?

We love making a Mexican meal or a twist on a Mexican-Inspired Meal. Here are some of our favorites.

Pin it HERE!!

Pin it HERE!!

Mexican Lentils Recipe

Tara Noland

Perfect for meal prep, vegetarian dinners, or healthy comfort food, these Mexican-style lentils are simple to make and packed with nourishing ingredients. If you’re looking for a flavorful plant-based meal, this spiced lentil recipe is a must-try.

5 from 7 votes

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Total Time 35

Course Dinner

Cuisine American, Vegetarian

Servings servings

Calories 138 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups water
1 cup lentils I use orange lentils
1 Tbsp. olive oil
4 cloves garlic minced
1/2 cup green onions chopped including green tops
1/2 cup chopped sweet green pepper
1 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1 Tbsp. chili powder
1-227 ml. can tomato sauce
1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. molasses

Instructions

Rinse and check over lentils for foreign pieces. In a small saucepan, bring lentils to a boil with the water. Reduce to low, covered, and simmer 25-30 min., or until tender but not mushy. Do not overcook!
Meanwhile, in a large non-stick skillet, heat the oil, add the garlic, green onions, green pepper, cumin and chili powder. Saute the ingredients until the veggies are tender crisp.
Stir in the tomato sauce, vinegar and molasses, stir and simmer for 1 min.
When lentils are cooked, add the vegetable mixture and heat through. Serve immediately. Garnish as you like.