Enjoy this Easy Vegan Lentil Loaf, a delicious and hearty main dish that's ready in just 1 hour. Perfect for the holidays, it's packed with protein for a wholesome and satisfying meal.
Made with wholesome plant-based ingredients, this recipe offers a delightful blend of lentil goodness paired with a medley of herbs and spices for a mouthwatering experience.
This dish adds a tasty and fancy twist to your holiday table with its rich, savory flavor and high protein content. Pair it with your favorite sides and watch it become a holiday favorite year after year!
Looking for more vegan Thanksgiving recipes to spice up your menu? Check out my Vegan Green Bean Casserole, Vegan Stuffing, and Vegan Biscuits for a flavorful holiday feast!
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🌟 Why you'll love this recipe
- Delicious Flavor: This recipe is packed with delicious, well-seasoned flavors that will delight your taste buds.
- Comforting Texture: The combination of ingredients creates a comforting and satisfying texture that will make you feel right at home.
- Healthy and Nutritious: This recipe is loaded with healthy and nutritious ingredients that will make you feel good about enjoying it.
- Easy to Prepare: The simplicity of this recipe makes it easy and quick to prepare, perfect for any day of the week.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This recipe is a sure crowd-pleaser, making it ideal for entertaining and impressing guests with its fantastic flavors.
🧾 Ingredient notes
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: You can substitute it with alternative options such as vegetable oil, canola oil, melted coconut oil, or avocado oil.
Onion and Garlic: You can opt for a quicker option with garlic and onion powder (about ¼ to ½ teaspoon of each as a substitute for one fresh clove or onion).
However, the true flavor shines through when you use fresh garlic and onions. The extra effort is well worth it for that added deliciousness!
Lentils: I prefer using canned lentils for their convenience, but you can also cook them from scratch.
If you choose to cook dried lentils, you'll need approximately 1 cup (200 grams) of dried lentils to yield 2 cups (400 grams) of cooked lentils.
Ground Flaxseeds: Both brown flaxseeds and golden flaxseeds work well in this recipe. Plus, ground flaxseed is a great source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids.
Nutritional Yeast: Nutritional yeast is the preferred option for this recipe due to its distinct flavor and nutritional benefits.
However, if you don't have nutritional yeast on hand, you can also substitute it with brewer's yeast, which provides a similar nutty and cheesy flavor.
Soy Sauce: For a gluten-free version, you can use tamari as a substitute. If you also prefer a soy-free option, coconut aminos is a great alternative.
Brown Sugar: You can use the type of sugar you prefer for this recipe.
Whether it's brown sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, or agave syrup, feel free to choose the sweetener that suits your taste and dietary preferences.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
📋 Variations
- Vegan Lentil and Mushroom Loaf: Elevate your classic lentil loaf by adding 1 cup (150 grams) of sautéed mushrooms for a hearty twist.
- Vegan Lentil and Vegetable Loaf: Boost both color and nutrients by mixing in 1 cup (150 grams) of diced vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, and zucchini.
- Spicy Vegan Lentil Loaf: Give your loaf a fiery kick by incorporating 1-2 teaspoons of chili flakes or hot sauce, depending on your spice preference.
- Vegan Lentil and Walnut Loaf: Enhance your loaf's texture and flavor with ½ cup (60 grams) of crushed walnuts, providing a delightful crunch and nutty undertone.
- BBQ-Style Vegan Lentil Loaf: Achieve that tangy, smoky finish by glazing your lentil loaf with ½ cup (120 milliliters) of barbecue sauce.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC) and line a 9×5-inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper, for easy removal.
Step 2. In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and cook the onion and garlic until it's soft and lightly browned, for about 3-4 minutes. Then, remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside.
Step 3. Add the lentils to a large mixing bowl and blend them using an immersion blender, food processor, the back of a fork, or a potato masher.
Step 4. Incorporate the cooked onion and garlic along with all the remaining ingredients into the same bowl. Then, mix until well combined. For a smoother texture, you can use an immersion blender or a food processor.
Step 5. Press the mixture firmly into the prepared loaf pan. Alternatively, you can place the mixture onto a lined baking sheet and shape it into a loaf with your hands. However, using a loaf pan is easier and more convenient.
Step 6. To make the glaze, simply mix the ketchup and brown sugar in a bowl until well combined.
Step 7. Spread the glaze evenly over the top of the vegan lentil loaf and bake for 45-50 minutes.
Step 8. Remove from the oven and allow the vegan lentil loaf to cool for at least 15 minutes before removing it from the loaf pan. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
💭 Expert tips
- Evenly Chopped Veggies: Ensure that the onion and garlic are chopped into even pieces for uniform flavor distribution throughout the lentil loaf.
- Mix Carefully: When combining all the ingredients in the bowl, mix carefully but thoroughly. Ensure that all the ingredients are evenly distributed for consistent results.
- Compact Firmly: When pressing the mixture into the loaf pan, be sure to compact it firmly. This will help the lentil loaf maintain its shape during baking.
- Monitoring the Cooking: Check it after 40-45 minutes to prevent over-browning. If necessary, you can cover it with aluminum foil to avoid excessive browning.
- Rest Before Slicing: After removing it from the oven, let it rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This will allow the flavors to settle, making it easier to cut clean slices.
❓Recipe FAQs
It can typically be stored in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. To ensure its freshness, it's advisable to place it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil before refrigerating.
If you plan to keep it for a longer period, you can also freeze it for up to 2-3 months. Just be sure to label and date the container for reference.
When reheating, consider using an oven or toaster oven to maintain its texture and flavor.
You can absolutely freeze it to extend its shelf life. Once it has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or slice it into portions and wrap each individually.
Place it in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, label it with the date, and store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
To enjoy it again, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it in the oven or microwave.
Reheating leftovers is easy. Here's how to do it:
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the leftover slices or the whole loaf on an oven-safe dish.
Cover it with foil to prevent drying out and heat for about 15-20 minutes or until it's heated through. For a crispier top, you can remove the foil for the last few minutes.
Microwave Method: If you're in a hurry, you can use the microwave.
Place a slice on a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking to ensure it's heated evenly.
If you're reheating multiple slices, arrange them in a circle to heat more evenly.
Stovetop Method: For a slightly crispy texture, you can reheat the slices in a pan with a bit of oil or cooking spray over medium heat. Heat each side for a few minutes until it's warmed through.
Certainly, you can prepare it ahead of time to make meal planning more convenient.
After baking, allow it to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
When you're ready to enjoy it, simply reheat it using your preferred method, whether it's in the oven, microwave, or stovetop.
This make-ahead option allows you to have a hearty and delicious meal at your fingertips, making it a practical choice for busy days or special occasions.
Consider creamy Vegan Mashed Potatoes, rich Vegan Gravy, indulgent Vegan Mac and Cheese, comforting Vegan Scalloped Potatoes, and a flavorful Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole.
Mix and match these vegan side dishes to create a satisfying and delightful vegan meal!
🍽️ Other delicious vegan Thanksgiving recipes
⭐️ Did you like this recipe? Please consider giving it a 5-star rating and comment below!
📖 Recipe
Easy Vegan Lentil Loaf
Ingredients
For the lentil loaf:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups canned or cooked brown or green lentils, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup ground flaxseed, brown or golden
- 1 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC) and line a 9×5-inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper, for easy removal.
- In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and cook the onion and garlic until it's soft and lightly browned, for about 3-4 minutes. Then, remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside.
- Add the lentils to a large mixing bowl and blend them using an immersion blender, food processor, the back of a fork, or a potato masher.
- Incorporate the cooked onion and garlic along with all the remaining ingredients into the same bowl. Then, mix until well combined. For a smoother texture, you can use an immersion blender or a food processor.
- Press the mixture firmly into the prepared loaf pan. Alternatively, you can place the mixture onto a lined baking sheet and shape it into a loaf with your hands. However, using a loaf pan is easier and more convenient.
- To make the glaze, simply mix the ketchup and brown sugar in a bowl until well combined.
- Spread the glaze evenly over the top of the vegan lentil loaf and bake for 45-50 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow the vegan lentil loaf to cool for at least 15 minutes before removing it from the loaf pan. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Evenly Chopped Veggies: Ensure that the onion and garlic are chopped into even pieces for uniform flavor distribution throughout the lentil loaf.
- Mix Carefully: When combining all the ingredients in the bowl, mix carefully but thoroughly. Ensure that all the ingredients are evenly distributed for consistent results.
- Compact Firmly: When pressing the mixture into the loaf pan, be sure to compact it firmly. This will help the lentil loaf maintain its shape during baking.
- Monitoring the Cooking: Check it after 40-45 minutes to prevent over-browning. If necessary, you can cover it with aluminum foil to avoid excessive browning.
- Rest Before Slicing: After removing it from the oven, let it rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This will allow the flavors to settle, making it easier to cut clean slices.
Marianna Beadles says
This was delicious! Even my meat-eating husband enjoyed it. I reduced the flaxseed to a half cup, and added a half cup of ground walnuts. I also subbed vegan Worcestershire sauce for the soy sauce.
Thank you!
Iosune says
Hi Marianna! So glad you guys enjoyed it 🙂
Irene Richardson says
Can I substitute 1 C of flaxseed with 1 C ground Chia seeds?
Iosune says
Hi Irene! I haven't tried it myself, but I think it should work. Please let me know if it turns out well 🙂
Abby K says
Can I sub 1 cup ground flax seed for 1 egg?
Iosune says
Hi Anny! I've never tried it myself with eggs, so I don't know if it could work. However, 1 tablespoon of flax seeds equals one egg.
Debbie Nokes says
Iosune, I just baked the Lentil Loaf. It is very delicious! Easy instructions, readily available ingredients. So happy I found your blog.
P.S, I found your site while googling recipes for date syrup. Can’t wait to try that as well.
Thank You 😊
Iosune Robles says
Hi Debbie! Thanks for your kind comment 🙂
Sam says
Hi Losune,
The Lentil Loaf looks lovely and I plan to make it. Could you tell me did you use brown or green lentils in the recipe? Many thanks, Sam.
Iosune Robles says
Hi Sam! Brown lentils 🙂 Enjoy it!