Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Tacos

By Alexandra Caspero on September 23, 2021
If you like my lentil tacos, then you'll love this version made in the Instant Pot.
Serves 4

Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Tacos! A healthy plant-based dinner, ready in just 30 minutes.

We’re having tacos, again. If you looked at my menu each week you’d see two staples: tacos and pasta. Two foods that I know everyone in my family will like and both easy enough to whip up on even the craziest weeknight. These Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Tacos have been on repeat every week for the past few months. Taking my well-loved lentil tacos and making them in the Instant Pot. I throw all the ingredients in, quickly chop the topping and ta-da– dinner is on the table in less than 30 minutes. 

If you are looking for a speedy weeknight dinner, you’re going to want to save this recipe. 

Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Tacos

How to Make Lentil Tacos in the Instant Pot

I consider this a dump meal– throw everything into the Instant Pot, seal and cook for 16 minutes and that’s it. To make these vegan lentil tacos in the Instant Pot, you’ll simply add the lentils, broth, salsa and spices then cook until tender. Couldn’t be easier! A blend of spices using cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and chili powder is called for here, but prepared taco seasoning will also work.

I usually have a batch of my homemade seasoning in the pantry or Penzey’s taco seasoning that works great here too. Typically, I’ll do 2 tablespoons of prepared taco seasoning here, and then add less salt.

Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Tacos

What Lentils are best for Lentil Tacos?

You’ll need to use either brown lentils or whole green lentils for this recipe. Red lentils and split lentils won’t work as they loose their shape while cooking and you’ll end up with taco mush. You can typically find brown or whole green lentils in most grocery stores near the canned bean or soup aisle.

I find that brown lentils work best, but you can also substitute black lentils and French green lentils instead. They won’t get as soft as brown lentils but will still work well in this Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Taco recipe.

Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Tacos

More Vegan Taco Recipes

If you like these lentil tacos made in the Instant Pot, you’ll love these taco recipes:

Vegan Lentil Tacos
10 Minute Black Bean Tacos
Vegan Fish Tacos with Creamy Slaw
Lentil Walnut Tacos
Tofu Tacos with Mango Salsa
Korean Inspired Tofu Tacos

If you make this recipe, make sure to come back to leave a review and rate it! Seeing you make my recipes makes my day and your feedback helps other readers. 

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Cropped Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Tacos

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Cropped Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Tacos

Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Tacos

  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 16 minutes
  • Total Time: 26 minutes
  • Yield: 8 tacos 1x
  • Category: dinner, main, healthy
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: American, Mexican-Inspired, Tex-Mex
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Tacos! If you like my lentil tacos, then you’ll love this version made in the Instant Pot. A healthy dinner, ready in just 30 minutes.


  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 16 minutes
  • Total Time: 26 minutes
  • Yield: 8 tacos 1x
  • Category: dinner, main, healthy
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: American, Mexican-Inspired, Tex-Mex
  • Diet: Vegan
  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 16 minutes
  • Total Time: 26 minutes
  • Yield: 8 tacos 1x
  • Category: dinner, main, healthy
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: American, Mexican-Inspired, Tex-Mex
  • Diet: Vegan
Scale

Ingredients

  • 2 cups brown or green lentils, rinsed and picked through to remove any debris
  • 3 1/2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup red salsa of choice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/23/4 teaspoon salt, as needed
  • 8 warmed tortillas
  • Taco toppings of choice (we love shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, jalapenos and shredded cheese (regular or dairy-free)

Instructions

  1. Place the lentils, vegetable broth, salsa and spices in the base of an instant pot or pressure cooker and seal. Hit the manual button and cook on high pressure for 16 minutes.
  2. Quick release, then stir. Add the salt, then taste to adjust. Depending on the saltiness of your broth, then you may need more or less salt. I typically use a low sodium broth and then add salt to taste.
  3. Serve on warmed tortillas with toppings of choice.

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Meet Alex Caspero

Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Chef, and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.

(16 comments) leave a comment

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    1. Alexandria
      February 1, 2024 AT 11:06 am

      Can I sprout the lentils before cooking them?

      1. Alex
        February 1, 2024 AT 12:00 pm

        Yes, if you’d like!

    2. Ant
      February 23, 2023 AT 3:35 pm

      I found this recipe over the summer and have literally made it every single week since! We always have leftovers so we basically eat this 2-3 days a week and still love it. My favorite way to eat it is on toasted corn tortillas with salsa and avocado. I also love the lentils in a wrap, with rice, in a salad or just on their own. It’s so easy to make and just so delicious!!






    3. Julie
      February 20, 2023 AT 9:46 am

      It takes seconds to make this and we all love it, especially when I just use 2 tbsp of already made taco seasoning in place of the seasonings. Perfect for a lunch or dinner when I’m pressed on time!






    4. Courtney
      December 27, 2022 AT 8:22 pm

      great recipe! Will be adding these consistently to the menu.






    5. Joanna Tequida
      July 11, 2022 AT 8:43 am

      Delish!

    6. Giselle
      April 11, 2022 AT 12:46 pm

      Hello wondering if you use canned or dried lentils?

      1. Alex
        April 12, 2022 AT 5:01 am

        Hi Giselle, I used dried lentils here. Canned won’t work as they will be too mushy after cooking BUT if you have canned lentils, then I’d recommend using this recipe: https://www.delishknowledge.com/lentil-tacos/ and sauteeing the onion, adding in the cooked lentils and the spices there to warm through.

    7. Alicia
      March 23, 2022 AT 1:10 pm

      I don’t have an instant pot, recommendation for another way of preparing?

    8. Lynn
      February 22, 2022 AT 6:53 pm

      These were the best!! So easy to prepare and they were delish-ous. This has become my go to recipe for lentil tacos!






      1. Alex
        February 24, 2022 AT 9:46 am

        Thanks, Lynn! We LOVE them too!

    9. Laura
      January 20, 2022 AT 1:10 pm

      could i use red lentils?

      1. Alex
        January 21, 2022 AT 8:46 am

        I wouldn’t recommend red lentils– you’ll end up with mushy/soup-like taco filling.

    10. Ellen
      December 13, 2021 AT 11:17 am

      SO delicious and easy! Reminds we of refried beans, so an easy sell to the kids! Will definitely make this agai






      1. Alex
        December 15, 2021 AT 8:13 am

        Love hearing that! Yes, my kiddos aren’t huge fans of lentils but go nuts for this recipe.

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