How to Make Chorizo Lentils

How do you make Chorizo Lentils? Super Simple!!!! This Chorizo Lentils recipe is a veganized version of Chorizo. You may have seen at Chipotle, the restaurant chain, they have created a plant based version of Chorizo using pea protein and spices. I wanted to make a plant based version using lentils and skip the added oil. I also tried using crumbled up tofu and that was delicious too.

Veggie bowls are one of my favorite things to eat and an easy way to add in plant based ingredients. Chorizo lentils make for a delicious bowl with a lot flavor and includes the health benefits of eating lentils.

What is Chorizo?

Chorizo is a spicy sausage that is made in a lot of Spanish and Mexican style dished. In this plant based version I wanted to skip the spicy sausage and make a vegan version.

In this plant based version I am using lentils as the meat substitute and mixed in some delicious flavors of tomato paste, minced garlic, peppers, and seasoning to make a vegan version that I can use when I wanted to make plant based tacos and bowls. Plus get the health benefits of eating lentils with protein, fiber, and nutrients. This version is also made oil free.

Why Lentils make a great Meat Substitute?

Using lentils can be great source for replacing meat or ground beef in your plant based dishes. Lentils absorb flavors and you don't have to presoak before cooking. You can also use the canned version as well for this recipe.

One cup of dry green lentils can be a substitute for about 1 pound of cooked ground beef. Lentils will plump up and expand in size when cooked. One cup of dry green lentils will expand to fill 2 ½ cups when cooked. Lentils are a great source of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. Also, lentils are high in fiber and low in fat so this will help you stay full and satisfied longer.

In this recipe, I'm creating the idea of the dish, the taste and the texture but not trying duplicate the exact version. Personally I go for the best taste and texture I can find while using plant based ingredients. Normally I figure this out through trial and error as I learn how to create more and more plant based dishes. If you're like me, you didn't grow up this way and therefore it takes some guidance and just trying ideas out to see what works.

So lets see how it is made and whether it taste any good!

What are the ingredients?

• Green lentils
• Tomatoe Paste
• Garlic
• Tamari (substitute soy sauce)
• Apple Cider Vinegar (substitute rice vinegar)
• Chorizo Seasoning (see below to make your own)

Chorizo Seasoning Ingredients:

You can buy Chorizo seasoning premade but I like to make my own with seasoning if I already have the ingredients. It's easy to buy all these spices and only use them once in a while. I usually make my own blend, it's cheaper and saves me a trip to the store. To make the seasoning only takes about 2 minutes.

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 teaspoon smoked paprika 
• ½ teaspoon black pepper 
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ¼ teaspoon oregano
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon cayan pepper

How do you make Chorizo Lentils!

Step 1: Make the green lentils (skip this step if using canned lentils)

Rinse and drain 1 cup of green lentils and add to a pan with 3 cups of liquid. (You can use water or vegetable broth). Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and cover. Cook for about 40 minutes until the lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain and add additional liquid. Set aside.

You can make the green lentils in advance to speed up the process.

Step 2: Mix together the chorizo seasoning.

The chorizo seasoning can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container. You can double the recipe to use for other dishes. In a bowl add together the spices and mix together.

Step 3: Sauté the garlic and tomato paste with the lentils

To a medium hot pan add in the minced garlic and sauté with a little bit of water (1-2 tbsp) for about 1 minute. Next add in the tomato paste and stir. Add in additional water if it begins to stick. To the pan add the seasoning and stir for about 30 seconds. Add in additional water if it starts to stick. You'll begin to smell the aroma of the spices.

Add in the lentils, tamari and vinegar and a ¼ cup of water and mix together. Allow to cook for about 5-7 minutes until all of it is incorporated and the liquid is absorbed (You can stop here and serve the lentils but the next step really add that chorizo smokey flavor).

Ready to serve or refrigerate for about 5 day. You can also freeze the chorizo lentils for about 3 months in an air tight container.

What can you make with Chorizo Lentils?

Chorizo lentils would be great to add to:

• veggie bowls
• burritos
• tacos
• You could also make chorizo lentil veggie burgers

Quick tip if short on time....

To speed up the process of making the Chorizo Lentils, make the green lentils in advance as part of your meal prep. Making the lentils in advance will speed up the process of getting the chorizo lentils on the table and will only take about 30 minutes, 10 minutes to sauté and about 20 minuted in the oven.

... Heck you can even meal prep the whole thing in advance if you want and the Chorizo lentils would be ready during the week in about 10 minutes. (just saying:)