Vegan Crock Pot Lentil Tacos are a surprisingly simple and really tasty vegetarian dinner that will impress even meat lovers. The lentil and quinoa mixture easily cooks in your slow cooker and makes the best plant-based taco meat!
If you love vegetarian tacos, also try my Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos, Vegetarian Taco Salad, and Taco Stuffed Mushrooms.
Crock Pot Lentil Tacos
Crock Pot Lentil Tacos are one of those recipes that aren't that flashy, but wow, are they easy, and they taste good. These Lentil Quinoa Tacos are made in the slow cooker with onion, broth, salsa, and taco seasoning. The mixture cooks all day, creating an absolutely delicious and versatile meat substitute that works perfectly as a taco filling. The filling is hearty and full of flavor. Not to mention it is packed with plenty of plant-based protein, making it a great vegetarian taco meat substitute.
These Crock Pot Lentil Tacos are budget-friendly, super tasty, and a great way to make a vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based meal that even meat lovers will enjoy. Serve it with all your favorite taco shells and toppings, such as cilantro, chopped onion, cheese, lime, and jalapeno. Think of it like a vegetarian ground beef or turkey for Taco Tuesday.
This lentil taco filling is a seven-ingredient recipe that takes just 5 minutes of prep time in the morning, so you'll have a tasty, healthy dinner on the table! Even the twins loved this one.
Crock Pot Lentil Tacos Share on X
Why You'll Love this Crock Pot Lentil Tacos recipe...
- Crock Pot Lentil Tacos are easy to make and taste amazing!
- They don't look like much, but they are the perfect, flavorful, unprocessed meat substitute.
- It's filled with plant-based protein.
- It's a budget-friendly meal that even kids will like!
- This is a dump-and-go slow cooker meal.
- You can customize the taco toppings to fit everyone's tastes.
Ingredients:
Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Crock Pot Lentil Tacos recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.
- Dry Lentils: Lentils are small, round legumes sold near dried beans in the grocery store. For this recipe, you will want the dried ones. You can use whatever color you have, including red lentils, yellow, green lentils, brown, or black. Rinse the lentils before adding them to the slow cooker and pick out any small stones. Canned lentils will get too mushy for this.
- Quinoa: Quinoa is another powerhouse plant-based food. You can find it near the rice.
- Onion: One large diced onion adds lots of flavor to this. You can use white onion, yellow onion, or red onion.
- Salsa: Salsa brings lots of taco flavor without any fuss.
- Vegetable Broth: Use your favorite type of vegetable broth.
- Garlic: I used minced garlic for the maximum flavor.
- Taco Spice Mix: I like to use my own Taco Spice Mix, which includes spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne or chipotle. You can also use any purchased packet of taco seasoning, taco seasoning or Mexican seasoning.
- Taco Shells, corn tortillas, flour tortillas, and Toppings
Other Topping Options:
- Greek Yogurt Cilantro Lime Coleslaw
- Homemade Guacamole
- Homemade Salsa
- Mango Salsa
- Peach Salsa
- Strawberry Salsa
- Pineapple Salsa
- Mango Avocado Salsa
- Creamy Avocado Lime Dressing
- Greek Yogurt Chipotle Lime Ranch Dressing
- Shredded Mexican Cheese or Cotija Cheese
- Shredded Red Cabbage or Purple Cabbage
- Cabbage Slaw
- Hot Sauce
- Avocado Slices
- Diced Tomatoes
- Tajin
- Corn
- Fresh Cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
Instructions:
This is an overview of the instructions to make these Crock Pot Lentil Tacos, but the full, detailed, printable recipe is below in the recipe card.
- In a large crock pot, add the lentils, quinoa, diced onion, salsa, vegetable broth, garlic, and taco seasoning.
- Put the lid on and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 7-8 hours, until the lentils are tender. Stir the lentil filling occasionally.
- Serve with the slow cooker lentil tacos, taco shells, avocado, cheese (omit if vegan), salsa, and cilantro. Spoon the lentil mixture into your favorite taco shells, then squeeze a squeeze of lime juice.
Crock Pot Lentil Tacos Variations
I love this Crock Pot Lentil Tacos recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.
- Make them Vegan or Dairy-Free: Leave off the cheese or sour cream. Use vegan sour cream.
- Make it Spicy: Add cayenne or hot sauce.
- Make it Taco Salad: Serve this topped for a vegetarian taco salad.
FAQ
Storage & Leftovers
These are great for make-ahead and meal prep. The taco meat reheats well. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Reheat it in the microwave.
Freezing
You can freeze the taco meat in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Thaw out the lentil filling in the fridge.
Crock Pot Lentil Tacos
These Crock Pot Lentil Tacos are an understated workhorse of family dinner planning. If you need a tasty, plant-based meal that everyone will love, give these a try! Lentils are such an underrated food! This is one of the oldest and my favorite vegetarian recipes on this site, that got a makeover.
Serve it with:
If you make these Crock Pot Lentil Tacos, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Crock Pot Lentil Taco Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown lentils
- ½ cup quinoa, rinsed
- ½ large onion, diced
- ½ cup salsa
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 4 cloves
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt & pepper
- Taco fixings: Taco shells, avocado, cheese, salsa, cilantro.
Instructions
- In a large crock pot, add the lentils, quinoa, diced onion, salsa, vegetable broth, garlic and taco seasoning.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low 7-8 hours until lentils are tender. Stir occasionally.
- Serve with taco shells, avocado, cheese (omit easily if vegan,) salsa and cilantro.
Notes
Storage & Leftovers
These are great for make-ahead and meal prep. The taco meat reheats well. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.Freezing
You can freeze the taco meat in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.Nutrition
Pin for Later:
Chef Devaux says
How I love Mexican food. What a great idea this taco recipe. Thanks a lot.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Chef! It's a good one!
Shasta says
I am loving these leftover lunch ideas! My husband should write you a thank you note! 😉 #client
JulieWunder says
haha! I'll take it 🙂 Thanks!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
This looks really good! I've got lentils and I had no idea what to do with them - this looks like a really tasty recipe!
JulieWunder says
Sounds like you have a plan now!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
These tacos look amazing and I've never seen those recyclable containers! Very cool.
JulieWunder says
Yeah-- I really thought they were pretty awesome! I love having them around.
dixya | food, pleasure, and health says
i love lentils in general and this is such a wonderful way to enjoy them.
Miz Helen says
We will just love your Veggie Taco's! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope you have a great week.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
JulieWunder says
Thanks Miz Helen!
jill conyers says
This looks like a dish I would love. Both of them! I plan menus around having multiple meals with one recipe. Works great during the week.
JulieWunder says
It does! Such a great way to eat.
Rachel says
Yum! We love Taco Tuesday. Maybe I'll swap your recipe for our usual refried beans version. 🙂 Thanks for linking up!
JulieWunder says
I do black beans a lot so it's a nice change of pace!
Farrah says
Yay! I still have a whole bunch of lentils that I need to use up, so this is perfect (+ I adore crockpot recipes :] )! Can't wait to have a kitchen again so I can try this out!
Debbie Denny says
Oh that looks yummy. Perfect meal for me. Love the taco idea.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Debbie!
Farrah says
I'm trying to get more lentils in my diet, so this is a great meal for me to try. I love it even more that it's in a crock pot!
JulieWunder says
I'm a fan of anything made in the Crock Pot!
Liz Mays says
Oh this would be perfect for me. I'd love to have a vegetarian option for myself when the rest of my family is eating meat.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Liz! My meat eating hubby enjoyed it too 🙂
Susanna @Zealous Mom says
Yummy! Yummy! These look delish. I need to make these for my sister who is a vegetarian. She would love so many of your recipes.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Susanna! This one is so great and the Hubs even ate and enjoyed it!
Ourfamilyworld says
That is healthy and delicious! I'm always looking for meatless recipes. Thanks for this.
JulieWunder says
Thanks for stopping by!
Aeryn Lynne says
Oh man, I am totally going to have to try the Crock Pot Lentil Taco Recipe over the weekend!! That sounds amazing, and would make my husband laugh as he knows I'm not the biggest fan of cooking with Lentils (I'm just not patient enough, unless a crock pot is involved, lol.)
I *need* to find those Reynolds heat and eat containers, they look exactly like what I need here!
JulieWunder says
Crock Pot totally solves your problem-- doesn't get more set it and forget it than this! The Reynolds containers are kind of genius actually!
Chastity says
I have never cooked lentils, but will have to soon. These tacos look awesome!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Castity! They are really easy and quicker than a lot of beans.
harriet says
That is such a great idea. I am going to check those out!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Harriet!
Runaway Bridal Planner says
Next to pizza, Mexican food is my favorite! I have taco's at least once every couple of weeks, I am going to have to pin this to use next time I make them:)
JulieWunder says
Thanks! It is really really good!!
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
I love that these seem easy to make. Great to make in a hurry and they look healthy too.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Jody! Very easy-- a great meal.
Lisa Jacqueline Lewis says
Who doesn't love a healthy taco! What a great idea, I never thought of using lentils, and my crock pot!
JulieWunder says
My favorite kitchen tool! So easy and good!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Lisa!! It's so good!
Beverley @ sweaty&fit says
The words "lentil", "quinoa" and most especially "TACO" had me hooked! Also love all the different spices in this recipe. Sounds like a party in my mouth!
JulieWunder says
I totally agree! It's so many good things in the same Crock Pot!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
Those containers sound like a brilliant idea! I always feel so guilty sending John food for lunch that has to be reheated in a plastic container (he doesn't like taking the glass ones).
And this vegetarian taco filling sounds amazing! I love the mixture of lentils and quinoa!
JulieWunder says
These are perfect for you then! I'm stocking up for the holidays!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
What a delicious recipe idea! I've never tried tacos with lentils. Pretty cool that the containers can be microwaved, too - I'l have to look for them.
JulieWunder says
Yes! And a nice alternative to plastic!
Dani @ Dani California Cooks says
Sometimes I see people eating standing up and it makes me so sad! Take at least 15 minutes to enjoy your lunch!
JulieWunder says
Exactly!!! I HATE standing and eating... it's one of my pet peeves! Food is meant to be enjoyed!
Rachel @ RachelMcMichael.com says
Yum!! This recipe looks fantastic! I can't wait to try it 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thanks Rachel! I hope you enjoy it!
lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
Sounds tasty. I used to be so boring when I packed my lunches for work too. I never cook with lentils.
JulieWunder says
They are so easy and delish! Perfect meat sub!
Jess @hellotofit says
PB&J's are awesome, but you're totally right - they get boring after a while! I love the idea of using lentils as taco filling. Must try!
Catherine @ foodiecology says
Ooh, yum! I'm trying to incorporate more Crockpot meals into my week and get more creative with leftovers (I usually bring leftovers to work for lunch), so this is *perfect* for something new. Now to convince the hubs that veggie tacos are as good as the meat-filled kind... 😉
JulieWunder says
Haha! I had that battle too! I served them all fixed up and pretty and didn't tell him what was in it... he told me he liked them BEFORE I told him what was in it. #winning If I told him lentils and quinoa up front it would have not gone as well 🙂
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
You had me at lentils and quinoa. But. 2 for 1!!! Yassss! These are my kind of meals. I'm always repurposing food and this looks epic! And the slow cooker makes me insanely happy. Definitely checking out those reheat containers. Love they are paper!
JulieWunder says
I know-- I bust out the Crock Pot and I smile 🙂 These containers are so easy to use and a nice alternative to classic plastic ones!
Edith Bryson says
Hi Julie,
I love RUNNING IN A SKIRT and enjoy reading your posts. They are informative, funny, interesting, and friendly. I have never heard of these alternative heat and eat containers and will get a couple of packs this weekend. Thanks for sharing your life with all of us. Look forward to your next post. /Edith
JulieWunder says
Thanks so much Edith! I am so glad you enjoy my blog-- thank you for taking the time to read it and comment today. It means so much to me. The containers are awesome-- my new favorite!
Amanda - RunToTheFinish says
I have a huge bag of lentils waiting to be cooked and you just saved them!!! the crockpot makes my life so much easeir
JulieWunder says
ohhh! Sounds like a perfect use for them!
Annmarie says
YUM! I would have never thought to make tacos with lentils...black beans maybe but not lentils (idk why). Looks delicious!!!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Annmarie! Just trying to think outside of the box 🙂
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
Yum looks like my kind of lunch for sure!
JulieWunder says
Totally! You'd love this stuff!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
We love Mexican food in our house. Tacos are one of our favorites! Yours sound awesome!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Robin! Mexican is my fav too!
Blane Sherer says
I do enjoy leftovers as they are and with a different twist to them as well.
It is interesting to see how one can come to appreciate something.
In this case for you : a real lunch.
JulieWunder says
Haha! It's the simple things!