Vegan Jerk Lentil Meatballs In BBQ Sauce
These Vegan Jerk Lentil Meatballs are divine. If you’re looking for a quick and delicious yet tender, flavorful, and healthy. Highly nutritious and are full of protein and fiber. They are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Delicious with any side of your choice. Try these meatballs with a different variety of things like rice, fried dumplings, boiled dumplings, noodles, potatoes, pasta, and quinoa.
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What ethnicity eats lentils?
Lentils remain a staple in Middle Eastern and Indian diets and are popular in cuisines throughout the world.
Are lentils healthier than meat?
Lentils are more nutrient-dense than beef, providing vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber while containing less fat and fewer calories.
What lentils are healthiest?
Black Lentils are the healthiest of all lentils. They take approximately 25 minutes to cook and are the most nutritious variety of lentils family.
What is healthier chickpeas or lentils?
When it comes to nutrition, lentils have a leg up on chickpeas in most areas. Lentils have fewer calories and carbohydrates, more fiber and protein, and greater amounts of iron, vitamins B6 and B9, and phosphorous.
What are lentil balls made of?
These Vegan Jerk Lentil Meatballs in BBQ Sauce are made up of deep flavors and spices. Ginger, peppers, onions, bbq sauce, sugar, and just deliciousness you have to make it to know.
Vegan Meatball Ingredients
- Lentils – The star of these meatballs is protein-rich lentils, which add heft and meatiness. We cooked ours from scratch but you can use canned lentils for convenience.
- Extra-virgin Olive Oil– Works for sautéingvegetables. Feel free to swap with any vegetable oil
- Onion – Grating the onions into the lentils enhances the flavor.
- Panko Bread Crumbs– Classic, unseasoned breadcrumbs help hold these bean balls together. If you only have seasoned breadcrumbs on hand, just leave out the dried oregano from the recipe.
- Spices-I love a mix of paprika, complete seasoning, black pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, dried thyme, and oregano, which add wonderful earthiness spice, and flavor.
- Jerk Seasoning (mild or spicy)
- “Egg”: These vegan balls hold together best with the use of an egg. However, if you’re making them vegan, a flax egg also works well made from flax seeds. If your not avoiding eggs 1 egg should do. (See instructions below)
Sauce Ingredients
- Aromatics- garlic cloves, sweet pepper, onion. These ingredients help create layers of flavor in your food.
- Fresh Ginger- The flavor of fresh ginger adds a slightly peppery yet sweet and spicy taste.
- BBQ Sauce- For the base for the sauce we used two different kinds Honey BBQ and Hickory Brown Sugar.
- Brown Sugar- Adds sweetness to the sauce.
- Ketchup- Gives the sauce a nice sweet tangy taste.
- Spices– Black Pepper and Complete Seasoning to flavor the sauce.
How to Make Jerk Vegan Lentil Meatballs
- Place the lentils in a large stockpot, cover with a couple of inches of water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20-25 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside to cool.
- While the lentils are simmering, prepare the flax egg by mixing the flax meal with water and let sit for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl add the cooked and cooled lentils, panko breadcrumbs, flax egg, red pepper flakes, oregano, dried thyme powder seasonings, pepper, salt, and mix until combined.
- Shape the meatball mixture into 1-inch balls of meatballs.
- In a pan or skillet heat oil and fry Meatballs until golden on all sides remove from the pot and set aside.
Sauce Instructions
- Chop up onions, sweet pepper, garlic, and ginger, and sauté until fragrant.
- Add BBQ sauce, sugar, ketchup, black pepper, and complete seasoning let it simmer for 5 mins.
- Add in meatballs and scoop sauce on top of it and garnish with spring onions. Serve with your favorite side.
Notes
Flax-Egg: If you are not avoiding eggs, feel free to use replace the flax egg with 1 large egg.
Lentils: Be sure to use green or brown, not red lentils, for the best texture.
Lentil FAQs
How to cook lentils as a meat substitute?
To make them just add 2 cups of water (you can also use broth) and one cup of lentils to a pan. Bring it to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to low and allow to simmer for 35-40 minutes. Check throughout the cooking and add water if needed to keep the lentils covered.
Why is a lentil not a bean?
Lentils and beans are both types of legumes. So while a lentil isn’t a bean, they both belong to the same family. And legumes are a type of vegetable, so yep, lentils are a type of vegetable too.
Is lentil a bean or pea?
Dry beans, peas, and lentils are unique foods that fit into two MyPlate food groups. They can be considered a protein food or part of the vegetable group.
Why don t lentils need to be soaked before cooking?
Lentils are tiny, so they don’t need to soak at all to cook in a reasonable amount of time; un-soaked lentils will cook in 15 to 30 minutes depending on the type. But if you want to soak them to potentially ease digestion, aim for a minimum of two hours and a maximum of 12.
Are lentils carbs or protein?
Lentils are high in fiber, and complex carbohydrates, while low in fat and calories. Their high protein content makes lentils a perfect option for those looking to boost their protein intake. They are naturally gluten-free, making them a delicious staple in a gluten-free kitchen.
Storing & Reheating Vegan Lentil Meatballs
Refrigerator: Let meatballs cool completely then store leftovers in an airtight sealed container for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Let meatballs cool completely then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month.
Reheating: If meatballs have been frozen, thaw them in the fridge overnight. When ready to enjoy, reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or bake in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, until warm throughout.
“And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need, not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32 KJV
Wisdom
Jesus is the Son of the most high God. He was sent to die on the cross so we could be forgiven for our sins. By the blood he shed, he covers us, and once we repent of all the evil we have done in our lives He forgives us. He was known for hanging out with sinners. The rulers back in his time couldn’t understand why. They thought they were holy and they put themselves above people because they felt they were more righteous than everyone else.
But the truth is we all are the same. None of us are good, none of us seek God, and none of us are without sin. But by his blood, his mercy, and his grace, we can be forgiven. As long as we truly turn away from our former lusts and iniquities, and devote our lives to serving Him, we shall be saved. Repent and believe in the gospel, the good news that Jesus died and rose again after 3 days. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and be welcomed into His kingdom with eternal life. Time is short, no one is promised tomorrow. Believe in the Son of God for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Vegan Jerk Lentil Meatball In BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
Season Lentil Ingredients
- 2 cups lentil any type you like but not red
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion grated
- 1 tsp Dried Thyme
- 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp freshly ground pepper
- 1 tbsp Jerk Seasoning
- 1 tsp Complete Seasoning
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes optional
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1/4 cup Sweet Pepper chopped
- 1/2 Onion chopped
- 1 tsp Fresh Ginger diced
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 cup Ketchup
- 1 tbsp Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Complete Seasoning
Flax Seed Eggs Ingredients
- 1 tbsp 7g flaxseed
- 2 ½ tbsp 37 ml water
- Or 1 egg optional
Garnish
- spring onions
Instructions
Flax Seed Eggs
- To make a flax egg, combine 1 tbsp (7g) flaxseed meal with 2 ½ tbsp (37 ml) water and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Instructions
Meatball Instructions
- Place the lentils in a large stockpot, cover with a couple of inches of water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20-25 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside to cool.
- While the lentils are simmering, prepare the flax egg by mixing the flax meal with water and let sit for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl add the cooked and cooled lentils, panko breadcrumbs, flax egg, red pepper flakes, oregano, dried thyme powder seasonings, pepper, salt, and mix until combined.
- Shape the meatball mixture into 1-inch balls of meatballs.
- In a pan or skillet heat oil and fry Meatballs until golden on all sides remove from the pot and set aside.
Sauce Instructions
- Chop up onions, sweet pepper, garlic, and ginger, and sauté until fragrant.
- Add BBQ sauce, sugar, ketchup, black pepper, and complete seasoning let it simmer for 5 mins.
- Add in meatballs and scoop sauce on top of it. Serve with your favorite side.
Video
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