This curried coconut red lentil soup is creamy, cozy, and packed with plant-based protein. It’s an easy lentil soup that’s vegan, hearty, and perfect for weeknights.

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At A Glance

• Ready In: 45 minutes
• Serves: 4
• Diet: Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free
• Nutrition Highlights: High in plant-based protein and fiber
• Main Ingredients: Red lentils, coconut cream, curry paste, mild curry powder, spinach
• Flavor Profile: Creamy, gently spiced, slightly sweet, fresh lime finish
• Meal-Prep Friendly: Keeps 4 days in the fridge and freezes beautifully
• Best Served With: Crusty bread or warm naan for dipping

This curried coconut red lentil soup is one of those dinners I turn to when I want something nourishing but low effort. The red lentils break down beautifully, giving you that naturally creamy texture without needing any dairy or blending. The Thai red curry paste and curry powder work together to create warmth and depth, while the coconut cream makes it rich and silky.

You’ve got sweetness from the carrots and onion, gentle heat from the spices, and a fresh pop at the end from lime juice. The baby spinach wilts right in, adding color and a boost of fiber and nutrients.

It’s high in plant-based protein and fiber thanks to the lentils, completely vegan, and naturally gluten-free. It’s also great for meal prep — the flavors deepen as it sits, and it freezes like a dream. If you’re looking for an easy lentil soup that feels a little special but uses everyday ingredients, this is it.

Per serving: 370 calories, 15 grams protein, and 17grams fiber. Serve with a high-protein toast for extra 10 grams of protein.

You might also like these high-protein vegetarian dinner recipes: tofu rice bowls, lentil mushroom Bolognese, black bean tacos, butter chickpeas, or high-protein butternut squash soup. For a non-vegetarian version, check out this lentil soup with chicken. Check out my chicken bean soup, lentil soup with sweet potato or more meals high in protein and fiber here.

What You’ll Need

Here is what you’ll need for this coconut red lentil soup recipe. Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.

• For aromatic base (flavor foundation) – onion, celery, carrots, salt, and oil for cooking; I use olive oil most of the time, but you can use avocado, coconut, or canola oil here
• Flavor Boosters: garlic for warmth and punch, fresh ginger for a gentle zing that lifts the soup, Thai red curry paste for that bold curry flavor, and mild curry powder for extra warmth and color, tomato paste for richness, color, and umami, sugar or honey to balance the acidity and spice
• Red lentils – high in protein and fiber; they cook quickly and turn creamy
• Vegetable stock – builds savory depth (have extra to thin if needed)
• Coconut cream – makes it luxuriously creamy (you can swap for full-fat coconut milk for a lighter option)
• Baby spinach – adds nutrients and color
• Lime juice – brightens and balances the richness (don’t skip!)
• Fresh cilantro (coriander) – fresh, herby finish
• Chili crisp (optional) – for extra heat and texture
• To Serve: Toast or crusty bread – perfect for dunking

How To Make Coconut Red Lentil Soup

Find the full recipe and nutritional information below. Here are some handy step-by-step photos for coconut red lentil soup.

• Sauté onion, celery, carrot, and salt in olive oil until soft and fragrant.
• Add garlic and ginger; cook briefly.
• Stir in curry paste, curry powder, tomato paste, and sugar; cook to deepen flavor.
• Add rinsed red lentils and vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, then simmer about 20 minutes until lentils are soft.
• Stir in coconut cream and simmer 5–10 more minutes.
• Add spinach and let it wilt.
• Finish with lime juice, adjust salt, and serve with coriander and optional chili crisp.

Watch The Video

Recipe Tips

• Too thick? Add a splash of water or extra stock to loosen it. Red lentils thicken as they sit.
• Layer your salt. A small pinch during sautéing makes a big difference later.
• Want it smoother? Blend half the soup with a stick blender for extra creaminess.
• More heat? Add chili flakes or extra curry paste.
• Make-ahead: Tastes even better the next day. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer-friendly: Cool completely and freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.

Serving Suggestions

I love serving this curry lentil soup with thick slices of toasted sourdough or warm naan for dipping. It also pairs beautifully with a simple cucumber salad dressed with lemon and olive oil to balance the richness. If you want to make it extra hearty, serve it over steamed rice for a cozy bowl situation.

If you’ve tried this coconut red lentil soup or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and or sign up to my Newsletter to see more of my delicious food.

More Vegetarian Recipes You Might Like

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This lentil and sweet potato soup uses fridge and pantry staples and comes together in about 40 minutes — hearty, warmly spiced, and finished with a squeeze of lemon.

Jump to: Overview | Ingredients | How To Make | Recipe Tips |  Serving Suggestions | Full Recipe Card | More Soup Recipes

This is the soup you make on a weeknight when you don’t want to think too hard about dinner but still want something that actually fills you up. It’s built almost entirely from fridge and pantry staples — canned lentils, a sweet potato, some vegetables you probably already have — so there’s no special shopping trip required.

The sweet potato breaks down slightly as it cooks, giving the soup a little natural creaminess, while the lentils add that earthy, savory backbone. A squeeze of lemon at the end cuts through the richness and keeps it from tasting flat.

It’s loosely inspired by Turkish and Middle Eastern lentil soups, with the sweet potato swapped in for extra body and a gentle sweetness that plays well against the smoked paprika and cumin. Serve it with a piece of good bread, and you’ve got a properly satisfying, protein-and-fiber-packed dinner without much effort.

You might also like these lentil recipes: chicken lentil soup, curried coconut red lentil soup, Mediterranean chickpea soup, vegetarian Stroganoff (lentil & mushroom), lentil mushroom bolognese, or tuna lentil salad. You might also like my white bean and chicken soup.

What You’ll Need

How To Make Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup

Recipe Tips

• Don’t skip the mashing step. Even a few passes with a potato masher makes a real difference to the texture, giving you that creamy, hearty consistency without any blending or cream.
• Layer the salt. A pinch when you sauté the vegetables, then adjust again at the end after the lemon goes in — this builds better flavor than salting once at the finish.
• Swap the herbs. Dried oregano works just as well as thyme here if that’s what you have on hand.
• Storage: Keeps well in the fridge for 4-5 days in an airtight container.
• Freezer-friendly: Cool completely, then freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of stock or water if it’s thickened up too much.
• Make it your own: Stir in a handful of spinach or kale at the end for extra greens, or top with crumbled feta if you’re not keeping it vegan.

Serving Suggestions

A thick slice of sourdough or high-protein bread is really all you need alongside this soup — something to mop up the bowl with. A dollop of sour cream or yogurt on top adds a nice tang and creaminess, and fresh cilantro (or parsley, if that’s what you prefer) brightens it up. If you like a bit of heat, a pinch of chili flakes on top goes a long way. This also makes a great meal-prep lunch — just pack it into containers and reheat when you’re ready.

If you’ve tried this lentil and sweet potato soup or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and or sign up to my Newsletter to see more of my delicious food.

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This Vegan Lentil Chili has brown and red lentils, roasted red peppers, and olives and this flavorful meatless chili is also gluten-free. And even if you’re not vegan or vegetarian, you’ll love this lentil chili recipe!

Pin the Vegan Lentil Chili to try it later!

This Vegan Lentil Chili is is loaded with interesting and healthy plant-based ingredients that give it a wonderful combination of flavors. And this vegan chili recipe is so flavorful that I think it’s a perfect meatless dinner, even for people who aren’t vegans or even vegetarians.

I couldn’t resist adding red lentils along with the regular brown lentils this recipe started out with. I also added roasted red peppers and sliced olives for a little more flavor, and used canned vegetable broth as the base of the chili.

This was delicious as-is, but if you like tart flavors I think a generous squeeze of lime juice would add a pop or flavor to the Vegan Lentil Chili. And I’m guessing everyone who’s a fan of lentils will enjoy this tasty lentil chili recipe!

What ingredients do you need?

(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe with ingredient amounts.)

What are lentils?

Lentils are the dried seeds of the lentil plant, and they’re legumes which are never eaten fresh but always dried right after ripening. There are many different kinds and colors of lentils, but the brown lentils and red lentils used in this recipe are the two I use most often.

Is the Vegan Lentil Chili low in carbs?

Lentils do have some carbs but they also have fiber, so this vegan chili with two types of lentils has about 16 net carbs per serving with 6 grams of protein.

Why do I use brown and red lentils for Vegan Lentil Chili?

You can definitely make this with all brown lentils if that’s have you have, but I love the additions of red lentils to this lentil chili recipe. Red lentils add a nice color to any recipe you use them in. They also cook more quickly than brown, green, or black lentils, so the red lentils will dissolve into the chili to thicken it.

Want more tasty recipes for chili?

Check out Healthy Chili Recipes Your Family Will Love! for more delicious chili recipes.

How to Make Vegan Lentil Chili:

(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

1. Heat the oil and then cook the onions until they’re starting to brown. Add garlic and cook about one minute more.
2. Then add the chile powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, and ground chipotle powder (or cayenne) and cook about 90 seconds more.
3. You can use all regular brown-green lentils like you normally find in the grocery store, but if you have red lentils, they will dissolve a little faster and thicken the chili, and the red ones add a nice sweetness.
4. When the spices are fragrant, add the brown lentils, red lentils, vegetable broth, water, and tomato sauce and start to simmer.
5. When red lentils are mostly dissolved and brown ones are nicely tender, add the sliced green onion, sliced olives, and diced roasted red bell pepper and simmer about 15-20 minutes more.
6. Serve the Vegan Lentil Chili hot, with a squeeze of lime juice if desired.

More Vegan Recipes with Lentils

Weekend Food Prep:

This vegan lentil chile recipe has been added to a category called Weekend Food Prep where you’ll find ideas to prep or cook on the weekend and eat during the week!

Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
Vegan Lentil Chili would be too high in carbs for strict low-carb diet plans, but lentils have fiber so this recipe has only 16 net carbs per serving. Dried beans and lentils are approved for all phases of the original South Beach Diet, but they’re limited to 1/3 to 1/2 cup serving for Phase One. In a recipe like this Lentil Chili where there are lots of other healthy ingredients besides the lentils, you could have a larger serving.

Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Soups and Stews to find more recipes like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find more recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

Historical Notes for this Recipe:
This Vegan Lentil Chili recipe was first posted in 2012. It was last updated with more information in 2025.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Favorite thing I’ve been eating lately: these sheet pan chicken pitas.

Er, can we call them pitas? They are part bowl, part salad, part sandwich folded up into any kind of bread you like including but not limited to pitas, and I’m here for it in every form.

Here’s our lineup:

• marinated, spiced, flash-roasted chicken
• roasted bell peppers
• diced fresh cucumber
• kalamata olives
• feta cheese
• olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon juice
• tzatziki (that yogurt dill sauce that crowns the plate)

Pile that on a plate and grab a fork – or grab a piece of warm, soft naan, or pita, or socca (YUM), and get to work. You’ve got the crunchy, and the cool-creamy, and the puckery-briney all happening in one big joyful bite.

I’m all about sheet pan dinners right now. Easy, filling, nutritious, and perfect for my fam. Everyone picks what they want!

How To Serve Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas

Here’s how I like to serve this: family style!

Everything goes on a roasting pan, and you effortlessly carry your gourmet-looking roasting pan to the table, and you let your people feast.

It’s comforting and filling. But it’s also happy and crunchy and fresh, which is exactly what we need right now in the deep winter. Happy, fresh, filling, annnd go.

Check Out Our Video For How To Make Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas:

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Three More Easy Sheet Pan Dinners

Make It A Freezer Meal!

Freeze Together:

• 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into very thin strips
• 2–3 bell peppers, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, grated
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon each: cumin, smoked paprika, kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• black pepper to taste

FREEZE: Spread into a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid; transfer to a bag or container to store in the freezer. 

To Cook:

BAKE: From frozen, bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.

FINAL STEP: Serve with pitas, tzatziki, hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, olives, red onion… sky’s the limit!

View more healthy freezer meals here!

One More Thing!

This recipe is part of our collection of easy and delicious sheet pan dinners. Check it out!

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This Sausage and Lentil Soup has roasted red pepper, and I love how spicy Italian Sausage adds flavor to this easy soup! And this recipe uses a generous amount of sausage and roasted peppers and not many lentils, so it’s surprisingly low in carbs!

PIN the Sausage and Lentil Soup to try it later!

This delicious Sausage and Lentil Soup is something I love to pull out of the freezer for an easy dinner, and it’s starting to feel like soup season in the northern hemisphere! And even though lentils have some carbs, this is definitely a carb-conscious soup with lots of sausage and peppers and not that many lentils. When I updated the recipe a few years ago I ended up using a whole package (19.5 oz.) of Italian sausage so there would be more sausage than lentils.

And lentils are high in fiber too, so with only one cup of dried lentils in six servings this soup would be a good choice for low-carb eaters. I love sausage, lentils, peppers, and all the other flavors in this soup, hope you enjoy trying it!

(This recipe was adapted to be a lower-carb version of Sausage, Lentil, and Tomato Soup. If anyone was a fan of that older recipe you can find the printer-friendly version back in the archives by using that link.)

What ingredients do you need for this recipe?

(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe with ingredient amounts.)

How low in carbs is this Sausage and Lentil Soup?

This easy soup recipe with lots of sausage and peppers and only a small amount of lentils has only 10 net carbs per serving, with 8 grams of protein!

What red pepper did I use for Sausage and Lentil Soup?

I used roasted red pepper from a jar for this soup recipe, which made it quick and easy to get on the table! You can also use diced fresh red bell peppers; just add them a bit earlier in the cooking time.

Can you use red lentils for this soup?

I love red lentils (affiliate link) in soup and if you wanted to use them in this sausage lentil soup recipe they would cook a bit more quickly than the brown ones.

Can you freeze the Sausage and Lentil Soup?

I love stockpiling soup in the freezer during the winter, and this soup is great to freeze in individual containers and pull out later for a quick meal.

How to make Sausage and Lentil Soup:

(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

1. Brown the sausage well and put it in the soup pot. (I used to use turkey Italian sausage for this soup, but now I can’t find that very often and pork sausage will also be delicious. Use either sweet or hot Italian sausage, whichever you prefer.)
2. Brown the onions and add to the soup pot with the chicken stock or broth, lentils, ground fennel, dried thyme, and dried sage.
3. Drain the roasted red peppers into a colander.
4. Let the soup simmer until the lentils are tender, about 45 minutes.
5. When the lentils are tender, chop the red peppers and add to the soup.
6. Then let soup simmer about 45 minutes more, or until lentils are as soft as you prefer and flavors are well blended.
7. Season the Sausage and Lentil Soup with salt and fresh-ground black pepper and serve hot.

Make it a Carb-Conscious Meal:

Easy Sausage and Lentil Soup would taste great served with one of these tasty low-carb breads:

Weekend Food Prep:

This recipe for soup with sausage, peppers, and lentils has been added to a category called Weekend Food Prep where you’ll find recipes you can prep or cook on the weekend and eat during the week!

Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
This Sausage and Lentil Soup has a lot of sausage and red peppers and a small amount of lentils, so it’s not much of a splurge for low-carb diets, but not low enough in carbs for strict Keto. With turkey Italian Sausage, this would be acceptable for any phase of the original South Beach Diet.

Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Soup Recipes to find more recipes like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

Historical Notes for This Recipe:
This delicious lentil soup with sausage was first posted in 2007 and I’ve enjoyed it so many times since then.  The recipe was last updated with more information and a adapted to be a slightly lower-carb version in 2025.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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This Teriyaki Tofu Is A Weekly Event In My Life

Remember the tofu from the ramen bowls? I can’t stop making it. I shared this bowl combo on Instagram the other day and got lots of requests to write up the recipe, which brings us to this moment!

Lately what I’ve been doing is:

• Plating up some steamed jasmine rice
• Putting a scoop of that saucy, chewy tofu on it
• Adding some steamed broccoli (or air fryer broccoli!)
• Dolloping it all with a tangy, lightly spicy kimchi mayo
• Finishing it off with green onions and/or togarashi or some kind of sesame-seedy sprinkle

If you do nothing else with this, just make the teriyaki tofu. That shreddy tofu is so good. It gets coated and caramelized with a teriyaki sauce (store-bought, no prob) and laced with just enough fresh garlic to make your house smell like a restaurant, so, yeah, I’m pretty into it.

It’s a high-flavor, fast and easy dinner recipe, topped with a creamy-mouthfeel-kinda sauce, that’s conveniently also packed with fiber and protein. I sound like a salesperson right now and if that’s my legacy for these teriyaki tofu bowls, so be it!

Hope you love this combo!

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This ground beef and sweet potato burger bowl is high-protein, meal-prep friendly, and tastes just like your favorite burger — no bun needed.

Jump to: Overview | Ingredients | How To Make | Watch The Video | Recipe Tips |  Serving Suggestions | Full Recipe Card | More Bowl Meals

This ground beef and sweet potato burger bowl gives you everything you love about a burger — juicy, well-seasoned beef mince, melty cheese, crunchy lettuce and pickles, and a tangy burger sauce — without needing a bun or a plate of fries.

Swapping in roasted sweet potato instead of the usual white potato or chips I see in burger bowls makes this version a little more nutritious while still feeling properly satisfying, and with around 1 pound (500 grams) of lean beef mince spread across four bowls, it’s a genuinely high-protein dinner.

What I love most about this one is how well it holds up to meal prep: the sweet potatoes, sauce and beef can all be made ahead and just reheated when you’re ready to eat, so it’s an easy one to have on rotation for busy weeknights. It’s the kind of bowl where everyone can build their own, adding as much cheese, onion, or sauce as they like, which makes it a good one for fussier eaters too. Once you’ve made the burger sauce, you’ll probably want to keep a jar of it in the fridge for everything else.

You might also like these ground beef recipes: Big Mac salad, Mexican ground beef casserole, beef bulgogi bowl, ground beef stroganoff, ground beef dinner recipes, or ground beef meal prep ideas.

What You’ll Need

How To Make Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Burger Bowl

Watch The Video

Recipe Tips

• Get the beef nice and browned. Letting the liquid cook off properly before you stop stirring is what gives the beef those crispy, caramelized edges — that’s a big part of what makes this taste like a burger.
• Make the sauce in bulk. It keeps well in the fridge for about a week and is genuinely good on almost anything — wraps, other salads, roasted veg. A squeeze bottle makes it much easier to drizzle evenly over the bowls.
• Swap the protein. Ground turkey or chicken both work well here if you want a leaner option — just add a splash more Worcestershire sauce since leaner mince has less natural flavor.
• Storage: Store the beef, sweet potato, sauce and chopped toppings separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Make-ahead: All four components — sweet potato, beef, sauce and chopped toppings — can be prepped up to 3 days in advance. Reheat the beef and sweet potato before assembling; keep the lettuce and other fresh toppings cold until serving.

Serving Suggestions

These bowls are a complete meal on their own, but if you’re feeding hungry teenagers or want to stretch it further, a scoop of rice or cauliflower rice underneath the lettuce works really well. A side of extra pickles or a simple cucumber salad is a nice way to round it out, and if you want to lean even further into the burger theme, toasted brioche croutons scattered on top add a fun bit of crunch.

If you’ve tried this ground beef & sweet potato burger bowl or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and or sign up to my Newsletter to see more of my delicious food.

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Vegan Picadillo is a delicious lentil stew with peppers, green olives, tomatoes, and just a hint of chocolate. And this tasty vegetarian Picadillo recipe is a perfect meatless main dish that everyone will enjoy!

PIN the Vegan Picadillo to try it later!

This delicious Vegan Picadillo (with Lentils, Peppers, and Green Olives) is a recipe I first made with my nephew Jake back when he cooked with me for the blog. And from the first bite this was one of Jake’s favorites out of all the recipes we tried together.

We both loved the sound of the inspiring stew recipe with lentils, sweet bell peppers, green olives, onion, garlic, chile powder and a hint of cocoa powder. Then when we tried the recipe Jake and I added oregano, canned tomatoes, a bit of Green Tabasco Sauce, and extra green olives.

We ate this with a generous shake of green Tabasco, and the Vegan Picadillo was a satisfying meatless dish that we both loved. And recently I made this again and took new pictures, which show off the recipe a lot better! And this time I added a little green olive juice to the Picadillo for even more flavor, plus I garnished the stew with sliced green olives, which probably appeals to all the green olive fans like myself! I hope you try it soon.

What ingredients do you need for this recipe?

(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe with ingredient amounts.)

What is Picadillo?

The word “picadillo” means to mince, referring to small pieces of meat that usually make up the bulk of this dish. Of course in this vegan version of Picadillo the meat is replaced with lentils. Picadillo is traditional all over Latin America, where it’s usually made with beef and includes things like raisins, tomatoes, and olives.  Read more about Picadillo to find out what recipe variations are used in different countries.

Is the Vegan Picadillo recipe low in carbs?

Lentils do have some carbs of course, but they’re a good source of fiber. This delicious Picadillo made with lentils only has 14 net carbs per serving, with 8 grams of protein.

Is the Vegan Lentil Picadillo gluten-free?

This delicious Picadillo recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free.

How to Make Vegan Picadillo (with Lentils, Peppers, and Green Olives):

(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

1. Rinse lentils and pick out any broken ones.
2. Then simmer with garlic, salt, and water until lentils are soft. Drain over a pan to catch the liquid.
3. While lentils cook, chop the onions, red pepper, and green olives.  
4. Brown onions in a little olive oil in a pot that’s large enough to hold all the stew.
5. Add the minced garlic, diced red pepper, ground Ancho chile and Dried Oregano and cook a few minutes more.
6. Then add diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, cocoa powder, Monkfruit Sweetener, and diced green olives and simmer about 10 minutes.
7. Add the cooked lentils, 1 cup (or more) of the lentil cooking water and simmer 20-25 minutes on low heat.
8. Add the Green Tabasco Sauce and 1-2 T green olive juice and stir.
9. Serve the Vegan Picadillo hot. I loved this with some sliced green olives for garnish!
10. You can top the Picadillo with a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream if you don’t care whether it’s vegan.

Make it a Vegetarian Meal:

This recipe for a meatless Picadillo is probably substantial enough to serve as a one-dish meal. But if you want something on the side, it would be good with one of these side dishes. (All are vegetarian but some are not vegan.)

More Meatless Recipes with Lentils:

Weekend Food Prep:

This Vegan Picadillo recipe has been added to a category called Weekend Food Prep where you’ll find recipes you can prep or cook on the weekend and eat during the week!

Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
Lentils have some carbs but they also have a lot of fiber, so I bet this is lower in carbs than you think. It might work for some people who eat moderate low-carb but it is too high in carbs for Keto. Vegan Picadillo would be approved for any phase of the original South Beach Diet. Remember that serving size for beans and legumes is limited for the South Beach Diet Phase One. 

Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Soups and Stew Recipes to find more recipes like this one. Use the Diet Type Index  to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

Historical Notes for this Recipe:
This Vegan Picadillo recipe with lentils was first posted in 2012. The recipe was updated with better photos in 2017 and last updated with more information in 2026.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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This is the most flavorful corn salad recipe we’ve ever made! We love the sweet crunch of the corn with the tangy lime juice and briny feta cheese.

We have both fallen hard for this recipe. You’ll use fresh, raw corn to make it, which makes it quick and simple to prepare. Plus, the fresh corn stays crisp and sweet in the salad. It’s seriously delicious. I’ve served this salad to friends on a few occasions, and everyone is always amazed at how good it is. (I also love this corn and black bean salad.)

This salad is pretty much the epitome of summer salads! It’s perfect for your next cookout and would be amazing served next to our super tender ribs, these mouthwatering carnitas, and even our favorite bean burgers.

Key Ingredients

• Corn: When we originally shared this recipe, many of our readers didn’t know that you can eat raw corn. I’m here to tell you that you can and that it’s incredible! Try fresh corn in this recipe, and you’ll never look back. If you are not sure about raw corn, use roasted corn, grilled, boiled, or quickly sautéed corn instead.
• Bell pepper and Green onion: These add color and fresh flavor.
• Tarragon: We use a little fresh tarragon in this salad, which is delicious with the lime juice. If you have trouble finding it, leave it out.
• Feta: We use crumbled feta cheese in this recipe, which we love. However, you can try cotija cheese for a more Mexican-style corn salad.
• Lime: Fresh lime juice is the base of our easy salad dressing. It’s zippy and wonderful with the sweet corn.
• Sour Cream: This is our secret to the best corn salad. It adds a little creaminess (we only use 1 tablespoon). You can substitute mayonnaise, vegan mayonnaise, or even plain yogurt.

Find the full recipe with measurements below.

How to Make Corn Salad

This salad comes together quickly, all in one bowl. Here’s a brief overview of how you will make it:

1. Cut kernels off ears of corn.
2. Add the corn, along with all the other ingredients, to a big bowl.
3. Toss well, then let the salad sit for 1 hour to let all the flavors mingle.

Our Secrets for the Best Corn Salad

Tip 1: Don’t be afraid of raw corn. Raw (uncooked) corn is fabulous in this salad. It’s so fresh and crisp. If you are not convinced, you can substitute with boiled, sautéed, or grilled corn (like in our grilled avocado guacamole).

To remove corn kernels from the cob, use a corn kernel remover or stripper, or do what I do: hold the ear upright and carefully cut down with a sharp knife, letting the kernels fall away from the cob. Be sure to watch our video to see me do it.

Tip 2: Add extra flavor and crunch. In addition to corn, we include red bell pepper, which adds sweetness and color, sliced green onion, and fresh tarragon. We admittedly don’t cook with tarragon a whole lot, but it really makes this salad delicious! If you have any leftover tarragon, use it in our chicken salad.

Tip 3: Add crumbled cheese. This salad is loosely inspired by Mexican street corn salad, but instead of cotija cheese, we find feta works a bit better with the other flavors in this particular salad. I love crumbling the cheese into tiny bits so that every bite includes some feta (as opposed to keeping it in larger chunks like in Greek salad).

Tip 4: Don’t skip the sour cream. We only use 1 tablespoon of sour cream in the salad, but it helps the dressing adhere to the corn. You can leave it out for a dairy-free or vegan option, but I must admit, it genuinely enhances the salad’s flavor. If you don’t have sour cream, Greek yogurt or mayo are possible substitutes.

Tip 5: Let your salad sit. For the best flavor, we highly recommend allowing it to sit in the fridge for an hour or two before serving. This time allows the flavors to marinate, resulting in an even more delicious salad. It will also last a few days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge, making this a perfect summer make-ahead side dish!

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy this easy corn salad as a side or a fresh topping (like salsa with tortilla chips). It’s excellent added to tacos, burritos, and rice bowls. I especially love it with our roasted cauliflower tacos, ground turkey tacos, or shrimp tacos.

It also makes a perfect side dish for grilled meats and veggies. We love it next to grilled steak or roast chicken, and it is lovely paired with seafood like Cajun shrimp, seared scallops, and baked salmon, as well as this grilled swordfish with coriander and lime. I’m also a major fan of it with these pork burgers!

More Summer Salads

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I can’t get enough of this black bean and corn salad! Our recipe is simple with tomato, onion, and fresh lime. Serve it on the side or with chips like salsa.

This black bean and corn salad is not so much a recipe as a “throw everything we adore into a big bowl and stir” kind of thing. It’s also fantastic when you make it in advance, which means it’s perfect for meal prepping and gatherings.

It’s fresh, crisp, and a little smoky from smoked paprika, which takes this salad to a new level! For another favorite way to use corn, see this corn salad recipe with feta.

Key Ingredients

• Black Beans: I use canned black beans, but drain and rinse them before adding them to the bowl with the other salad ingredients. You can also cook dried black beans from scratch. Here’s our black beans recipe if you need it.
• Corn: I love raw corn in this salad (the same goes for this corn salad). I’m often asked if raw corn is okay to eat, and I’m here to say yes! Raw corn is super crisp, sweet, and crunchy, and it’s excellent in this recipe. You could also grill the corn until blistered and add it to this salad like I do for this grilled avocado guacamole. Rinsed canned or thawed frozen corn are good substitutes.
• Tomatoes: I love the pop of sweetness from fresh tomatoes. Use what you love. I look for a juicy, sweet tomato. The tomato releases juices as it sits with the other salad ingredients, making the dressing even more delicious.
• Onion, Garlic, and Jalapeño: Sweet or white onion is great here. I add a little garlic, and the jalapeño adds a bit of heat. If you are sensitive to spicy food, remove the seeds and white membrane from inside the pepper before chopping it (that’s where most of the heat is).
• Lime and Olive Oil: Fresh lime juice and olive oil combine with salt and pepper for our simple dressing. I love it!
• Smoked Paprika: Smoked paprika tastes smoky (as the name suggests) but isn’t spicy (unless you specifically use Hungarian or hot-smoked paprika). Chipotle powder is also excellent here but is spicy, so add to your taste.

Find the full recipe with measurements below.

How to Make Black Bean and Corn Salad

Tip 1: Prepare the corn. I love fresh corn for this salad. To use fresh corn, start by removing the husks and silky threads. Stand each cob upright on a cutting board and, holding it steady, slice downward with a sharp knife to remove the kernels.

Tip 2: Make the salad in a big bowl. This recipe keeps cleanup simple (hooray!). Once your corn is ready, add all the salad ingredients to a large bowl, toss to combine, and enjoy.

Serving Suggestions

This black bean corn salad has so many serving options. Try it alongside grilled chicken, juicy pork chops, Asian-marinated shrimp, or even scrambled eggs. You can also serve it like a salsa with homemade tortilla chips or as a topping for grilled bread for bruschetta.

We also love it tucked into these veggie burritos or piled on top of our shrimp tacos.

More Easy Salads

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