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If you are wondering how to stretch a pound of ground beef without sacrificing flavor, beef and lentil taco meat is about to become your new weeknight hero. In today’s economy, finding smart ways to make ingredients go further is a win — and lentils are one of the easiest, healthiest, most affordable ways to bulk up taco meat while keeping it hearty and satisfying.

Lentils are one of those quiet pantry staples that deserve way more attention. They blend seamlessly into ground meat dishes, especially anything seasoned with bold spices like taco seasoning.

Lentils are budget friendly. The more you add, the further your meat stretches. A single pound of ground beef can be stretched from feeding 4 to feeding 6 without noticing a change in flavor or texture.

They are also nutrient dense. They are protein, fiber, and nutrient rich while being low fat and filling. Unlike beans, lentils do not require hours of soaking or simmering. They can be soaked and cooked in under an hour.

This taco meat can be used any way you would use regular taco meat. Use it in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, nachos, or taco salads.

Why you will love this recipe

• Stretches budget without sacrificing flavor – Lentils can stretch a pound of ground beef which is a huge win in today’s economy.
• Added nutrients – The lentils add protein, fiber, iron, and folate that you would not get with a classic taco meat.
• Perfect substitute for classic taco meat – You can use this beef and lentil taco meat in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos, quesadillas, and taco salad.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup dried lentils
• 1 pack of taco seasoning, or 3 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup water

Directions

• Rinse the 1/2 cup of dried lentils and simmer in 2 cups of water for about 20 minutes.

• Once tender, drain the lentils and mash them with a fork, blend them in a food processor, or use an immersion blender to blend them.
• Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain the fat.

• Add the lentils, taco seasoning, and water to the ground beef and stir.

• Simmer for 10 minutes.

How to store beef and lentil taco meat

• Store in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 3 days.

Print

Beef and Lentil Taco Meat

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1/2 cup dried lentils

• 1 pack of taco seasoning, or 3 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning

• 1/2 cup water

Directions

• Rinse the 1/2 cup of dried lentils and simmer in 2 cups of water for about 20 minutes .
• Once tender, drain the lentils and mash them with a fork, blend them in a food processor, or use an immersion blender to blend them.
• Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain the fat.
• Add the lentils, taco seasoning, and water to the ground beef and stir.
• Simmer for 10 minutes.