Chipotle Lentil Tacos turn this tasty vegetarian swap into an instant taco party! They’re packed with protein, have literally half the fat of their meaty counterparts, and totally delicious too.Choosing vegan options for the toppings and either skipping or veganizing the aioli will make these tacos gloriously plant-based! I also love them with a little vegan sour cream on top. Delicious!
Heat 3 cups of water in a pot until it's just about to boil, add lentils and reduce to simmer. Cover with the lid slightly tipped to vent and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until tender.
While the lentils are simmering, you'll have enough time to get your taco shells and toppings ready so everything is good to go in about 25 minutes!
To make the sauce, simply combine ingredients and blend! Feel free to add extra chipotle pepper or adobo to taste if you like a crazy strong chipotle kick. It's best to start out small and then add as you go. I used an immersion blender to make my sauce and the recipe works great in a small food processor too. No blender? No problem! You can use the adobo sauce to season the aioli or mince your peppers really small by hand if you'd like. Both options will add lots of smoky flavor. Simply adjust amount to taste.
Aioli TIP: I like to dive in with a tortilla chip and give the mixture a taste. Adjust smokiness and heat level until you reach your perfect level of deliciousness and then load up those tacos, yo!
Tip on not eating the entire mixture with tortilla chips before dinner: None. I have none. #allthechipsandlentils
Once the lentils are ready, drain them over the sink and return to the pot. Add salsa, hot sauce, adobo sauce, and taco seasoning blend. Mix well and warm over low heat until the mixture's hot and ready!
Assemble your tacos and dig in!
Notes
Since they hold their shape the best, I totally suggest using brown/green lentils for these tasty tacos!While the smokiness and bold flavor is controlled by the chipotle peppers and sauce, the heat is mostly controlled by the cayenne. Feel free to use paprika in place of the cayenne if desired.The aioli recipe makes about 3/4 cup of sauce. Feel free to halve the recipe if you only want a little. Nutrition Facts below are estimated using an online recipe nutrition calculator. For easy customization, nutrition values are for taco shells with seasoned lentil taco filling. Add choice of toppings and adjust as needed. Enjoy!