Savory Lentil-Oatmeal Taco Bowl

This taco bowl replaces meat with a lentil and oatmeal mixture. I went with rolled flakes to achieve a “piece-y” texture, as opposed to the creamy texture I would get from a steel cut oat. Together, the lentils and oat flakes create something similar to a ground beef, and they’re seasoned with typical “white people” taco seasonings–cumin, chili powder, oregano, paprika, garlic, onion, etc.

What you’ll need: 

• 1 cup water (do not add salt!)
• 1/4 cup red lentils
• 1/4 cup old-fashioned (rolled) oats
• 1/8 tsp salt*
• 1/8 tsp black pepper*
• 1 tsp chili powder*
• 1/8 tsp onion powder or granules*
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder or granules*
• 3/4 tsp cumin*
• 1/8 tsp dried oregano*
• 1/4 tsp paprika*
• 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes*
• up to 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
• toppings, as desired (see ideas below in post)

How to make it:

1. Bring water and lentils to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about ten minutes.
2. Add oats and cook another 5 minutes, adding more water if necessary.
3. BEFORE all water has absorbed, stir in salt, spices, and optional nutritional yeast.
4. Transfer to a bowl and add toppings as desired. Enjoy!

Just an FYI:

*If you’re using a premade taco seasoning spice blend, use about 1 tbsp of the blend.

This lentil-oat recipe could also be placed inside a taco shell or lettuce wrap for a more traditional taco experience.

You can top the bowl with the same items you would use to top a taco or taco salad. The best part about eating your tacos in bowl form is that you can add as many toppings as you want, without worrying about it fitting into that cute little tortilla.

Consider the usual toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, jalapeños, avocado or guacamole, hot sauce, squeeze of lime.

Or get a little fancier: kale or spinach, black olives, roasted sweet potato, pineapple or mango salsa, scallions, roasted bell pepper strips, lime crema, corn, red cabbage, tomatillo sauce, apple slaw, radishes

Finally, be sure to top with some tortilla chips, crushed or in strips. It adds a fun texture and you’ll get to eat your bowl in scoops! I made my own baked tortilla chips by cutting a tortilla into triangles, spritzing it with a touch of oil, sprinkling on some salt, and baking it until golden at 350 degrees F. They will still be soft when you take them out of the oven but will crisp up as they cool (like granola).

My dream bowl would have had romaine lettuce, avocado, pineapple salsa, and guacamole, but sadly, my desire to test this recipe did not coincide with my desire to buy groceries, so I made due with what I already had in my fridge.