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I'm transforming my best Crock Pot Lentil Taco recipe into a spectacular leftover lunch! This 2 for 1 recipe will have you loving the mid-day meal again.
Hi friends!
I hope you have been having a glorious week.
In my previous life I ate a lot of peanut butter sandwiches by myself at my desk in a cold studio. Now don't get me wrong... I love a PB&J but it got old after awhile. Even though I had to be in the studio for long hours during during meal times, I actually wasn't supposed to have food in there at all. I did the best I could with something that wasn't that noticeable.
One of things I have really enjoyed since leaving WLOS is a real lunch. Being able to reheat and enjoy a lunch is actually something I look forward to. This may sound dramatic, but it makes me feel so much more alive. I am not a fan of eating at my desk or on the go! I believe you should eat with intention.
I've recently even been experimenting with using my dinner leftovers and transforming them into something new for lunch.
I call it a 2 for 1 deal.
The other day I made my lentil taco recipe in the Crock Pot.
The filling is hearty, and full of flavor. Not to mention it is packed with plenty of plant based protein, making it a great vegetarian taco meat substitute.
The recipe makes a lot of filling, so I packed up the leftovers in my Reynolds™ heat & eat disposable containers.
I bought Reynolds™ heat & eat containers because they are ideal for re-heating leftovers in the microwave and are a safe alternative to plastic containers. They are a fibrous, paper-like material that is easily recycled.
I found them at Target in the food storage isle near the foil and wraps.
For lunch the next afternoon, I pulled my flavorful lentil taco filling out of the fridge and popped it in microwave.
Since I like making lunch the next day different, I made a taco salad and used my vegetarian lentil taco recipe filling as the "meat!" It turned out amazing.
It was so pretty outside, that I enjoyed eating my lunch in the sun at my own personal break room.
Best yet, I felt good about tossing the Reynolds™ heat & eat disposable containers! They are inexpensive and so easy to use. I'll be keeping plenty of them on hand through the holidays to send food home with my guests.
Lunch is so much better these days! Enjoy!
Crock Pot Lentil Taco Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown lentils
- ½ cup quinoa, rinsed
- ½ large onion, diced
- 32 ounces vegetable broth
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 4 cloves
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- Taco fixings: Taco shells, avocado, cheese, salsa, cilantro.
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a crock pot. Cook on high 4 hours or low 7-8 hours until lentils are tender. Stir occasionally.
- Serve with taco shells, avocado, cheese (omit easily if vegan,) salsa and cilantro.
Nutrition
Vegetarian Taco Salad with Crock Pot Lentil Quinoa Filling
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the Crcok Pot Lentil Quinao Taco filling in the Reynolds™ heat & eat disposable containers in the microwave until warm.
- Assemble salad and serve the taco filling on top.
Nutrition
It's so nice to see you today. Thanks for making Running in a Skirt part of your day. Come back tomorrow for my Top Posts of the month and an announcement about a new linkup party!
Your turn!
How do you take boring dinner leftovers and make them the rock star of tomorrow's lunch menu? Check out Reynolds™ recipes for more lunch leftover ideas!
Chef Devaux says
How I love Mexican food. What a great idea this taco recipe. Thanks a lot.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Chef! It's a good one!
Shasta says
I am loving these leftover lunch ideas! My husband should write you a thank you note! 😉 #client
JulieWunder says
haha! I'll take it 🙂 Thanks!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
This looks really good! I've got lentils and I had no idea what to do with them - this looks like a really tasty recipe!
JulieWunder says
Sounds like you have a plan now!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
These tacos look amazing and I've never seen those recyclable containers! Very cool.
JulieWunder says
Yeah-- I really thought they were pretty awesome! I love having them around.
dixya | food, pleasure, and health says
i love lentils in general and this is such a wonderful way to enjoy them.
Miz Helen says
We will just love your Veggie Taco's! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope you have a great week.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
JulieWunder says
Thanks Miz Helen!
jill conyers says
This looks like a dish I would love. Both of them! I plan menus around having multiple meals with one recipe. Works great during the week.
JulieWunder says
It does! Such a great way to eat.
Rachel says
Yum! We love Taco Tuesday. Maybe I'll swap your recipe for our usual refried beans version. 🙂 Thanks for linking up!
JulieWunder says
I do black beans a lot so it's a nice change of pace!
Farrah says
Yay! I still have a whole bunch of lentils that I need to use up, so this is perfect (+ I adore crockpot recipes :] )! Can't wait to have a kitchen again so I can try this out!
Debbie Denny says
Oh that looks yummy. Perfect meal for me. Love the taco idea.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Debbie!
Farrah says
I'm trying to get more lentils in my diet, so this is a great meal for me to try. I love it even more that it's in a crock pot!
JulieWunder says
I'm a fan of anything made in the Crock Pot!
Liz Mays says
Oh this would be perfect for me. I'd love to have a vegetarian option for myself when the rest of my family is eating meat.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Liz! My meat eating hubby enjoyed it too 🙂
Susanna @Zealous Mom says
Yummy! Yummy! These look delish. I need to make these for my sister who is a vegetarian. She would love so many of your recipes.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Susanna! This one is so great and the Hubs even ate and enjoyed it!
Ourfamilyworld says
That is healthy and delicious! I'm always looking for meatless recipes. Thanks for this.
JulieWunder says
Thanks for stopping by!
Aeryn Lynne says
Oh man, I am totally going to have to try the Crock Pot Lentil Taco Recipe over the weekend!! That sounds amazing, and would make my husband laugh as he knows I'm not the biggest fan of cooking with Lentils (I'm just not patient enough, unless a crock pot is involved, lol.)
I *need* to find those Reynolds heat and eat containers, they look exactly like what I need here!
JulieWunder says
Crock Pot totally solves your problem-- doesn't get more set it and forget it than this! The Reynolds containers are kind of genius actually!
Chastity says
I have never cooked lentils, but will have to soon. These tacos look awesome!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Castity! They are really easy and quicker than a lot of beans.
harriet says
That is such a great idea. I am going to check those out!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Harriet!
Runaway Bridal Planner says
Next to pizza, Mexican food is my favorite! I have taco's at least once every couple of weeks, I am going to have to pin this to use next time I make them:)
JulieWunder says
Thanks! It is really really good!!
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
I love that these seem easy to make. Great to make in a hurry and they look healthy too.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Jody! Very easy-- a great meal.
Lisa Jacqueline Lewis says
Who doesn't love a healthy taco! What a great idea, I never thought of using lentils, and my crock pot!
JulieWunder says
My favorite kitchen tool! So easy and good!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Lisa!! It's so good!
Beverley @ sweaty&fit says
The words "lentil", "quinoa" and most especially "TACO" had me hooked! Also love all the different spices in this recipe. Sounds like a party in my mouth!
JulieWunder says
I totally agree! It's so many good things in the same Crock Pot!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
Those containers sound like a brilliant idea! I always feel so guilty sending John food for lunch that has to be reheated in a plastic container (he doesn't like taking the glass ones).
And this vegetarian taco filling sounds amazing! I love the mixture of lentils and quinoa!
JulieWunder says
These are perfect for you then! I'm stocking up for the holidays!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
What a delicious recipe idea! I've never tried tacos with lentils. Pretty cool that the containers can be microwaved, too - I'l have to look for them.
JulieWunder says
Yes! And a nice alternative to plastic!
Dani @ Dani California Cooks says
Sometimes I see people eating standing up and it makes me so sad! Take at least 15 minutes to enjoy your lunch!
JulieWunder says
Exactly!!! I HATE standing and eating... it's one of my pet peeves! Food is meant to be enjoyed!
Rachel @ RachelMcMichael.com says
Yum!! This recipe looks fantastic! I can't wait to try it 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thanks Rachel! I hope you enjoy it!
lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
Sounds tasty. I used to be so boring when I packed my lunches for work too. I never cook with lentils.
JulieWunder says
They are so easy and delish! Perfect meat sub!
Jess @hellotofit says
PB&J's are awesome, but you're totally right - they get boring after a while! I love the idea of using lentils as taco filling. Must try!
Catherine @ foodiecology says
Ooh, yum! I'm trying to incorporate more Crockpot meals into my week and get more creative with leftovers (I usually bring leftovers to work for lunch), so this is *perfect* for something new. Now to convince the hubs that veggie tacos are as good as the meat-filled kind... 😉
JulieWunder says
Haha! I had that battle too! I served them all fixed up and pretty and didn't tell him what was in it... he told me he liked them BEFORE I told him what was in it. #winning If I told him lentils and quinoa up front it would have not gone as well 🙂
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
You had me at lentils and quinoa. But. 2 for 1!!! Yassss! These are my kind of meals. I'm always repurposing food and this looks epic! And the slow cooker makes me insanely happy. Definitely checking out those reheat containers. Love they are paper!
JulieWunder says
I know-- I bust out the Crock Pot and I smile 🙂 These containers are so easy to use and a nice alternative to classic plastic ones!
Edith Bryson says
Hi Julie,
I love RUNNING IN A SKIRT and enjoy reading your posts. They are informative, funny, interesting, and friendly. I have never heard of these alternative heat and eat containers and will get a couple of packs this weekend. Thanks for sharing your life with all of us. Look forward to your next post. /Edith
JulieWunder says
Thanks so much Edith! I am so glad you enjoy my blog-- thank you for taking the time to read it and comment today. It means so much to me. The containers are awesome-- my new favorite!
Amanda - RunToTheFinish says
I have a huge bag of lentils waiting to be cooked and you just saved them!!! the crockpot makes my life so much easeir
JulieWunder says
ohhh! Sounds like a perfect use for them!
Annmarie says
YUM! I would have never thought to make tacos with lentils...black beans maybe but not lentils (idk why). Looks delicious!!!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Annmarie! Just trying to think outside of the box 🙂
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
Yum looks like my kind of lunch for sure!
JulieWunder says
Totally! You'd love this stuff!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
We love Mexican food in our house. Tacos are one of our favorites! Yours sound awesome!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Robin! Mexican is my fav too!
Blane Sherer says
I do enjoy leftovers as they are and with a different twist to them as well.
It is interesting to see how one can come to appreciate something.
In this case for you : a real lunch.
JulieWunder says
Haha! It's the simple things!