Vegan Lentil Loaf

An overhead shot of a cutting board with a partially sliced lentil loaf on parchment paper. A knife lays on the cutting board perpendicular to the loaf.

4.51 from 210 votes

This hearty vegan lentil loaf is packed with flavor, loaded with plant-based protein and makes for a delicious vegetarian entree for a holiday meal.

Prep Time20

Cook Time35

Total Time55

Course: Lunch/Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: lentil loaf, vegan meatloaf

Servings: slices

Author: Brittany Mullins

Ingredients

½ cup dry brown green lentils
1 ⅓ cup water
1 bay leaf
1 Tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
½ large onion about 1 heaping cup, chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
1 rib of celery chopped
1 carrot peeled and chopped
½ cup chopped walnuts
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
3 Tablespoons tamari
3 Tablespoons tomato paste
2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed
2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
¼ teaspoon sea salt

Maple Sweetened Glaze:

2 Tablespoons tomato paste
1 ½ Tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
pinch of sea salt

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 375°F.
Prepare lentils by rinsing them and adding to a pot with water and a bay leaf. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat down and simmer covered until all the liquid is absorbed and lentils are tender (about 15-20 minutes). Remove from heat, discard the bay leaf and set the lentils aside to cool. This step can be done in advance.
In the meantime toast walnuts by spreading them onto a baking sheet and toasting in the oven for about 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
Heat oil over medium heat in a medium sauté pan and cook onions, garlic, carrots and celery until they've softened and become fragrant. About 5-10 minutes. Once cooked remove from stovetop to cool.
Add lentils (reserve ½ cup for later), cooked veggies, toasted walnuts, oats, tamari, tomato paste, ground flaxseed, nutritional yeast, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, thyme, oregano, basil, cayenne pepper, ground pepper and sea salt to the food processor. Pulse until mixture is just combined and the texture is to your liking. You want the mixture to be combined enough to stick together, but you don't want it to be completely pulverized.
Stir in the reserved lentils and press mixture into parchment lined loaf pan. I used a 9" x 5" x 2½".
In a small bowl stir together glaze ingredients and spread the glaze over top of the loaf.
Bake covered with foil for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for about 8 more minutes. Let the loaf rest 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to 5 days in the fridge. Or freeze for up to 1 month.

Video

Notes

To prep the lentil loaf ahead of time: I recommend prepping it fully, covering it with foil or plastic wrap and keeping it in the fridge for 1-2 days before baking as instructed in the recipe.
To freeze the lentil loaf: bake lentil loaf and let cool to room temperature, wrap slices in foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, thaw slice(s) in the fridge, then heat in the microwave or bake in a 275°F oven until the lentil loaf slice has heated through, about 15 minutes.

Nutrition