Greek Lentil Tacos are perfect for when you are craving tacos but want to go meatless! (It’s cheaper too) The lentils are cooked in oregano to get that Mexican flavor, and then we top it all off with cucumber pico de gallo. It’s delicious!
“Hi, do you work here? I shattered some glass on aisle D23. I’m really sorry.”
(Adjusting her earpiece) “Oh yeah, I heard them talking about that. It’s all taken care of.”
“Um, yeah. I shattered even more glass on a different aisle.”
You guys are going to think that my life consists of nothing but shopping-with-toddlers horror stories. WELL YOU’RE RIGHT.
When the kids dropped the first package of light bulbs, I was stressed to say the least. I was in the decorative-mirror aisle, looking at cluster mirrors that are way too fashionable for my house. (In retrospect, I suppose I should just be grateful the little animals didn’t get their hands on any mirrors.)
When the kids dropped the second package of light bulbs, I cried. You should have seen me. Probably you would have laughed, but only if you were out of sight, because if you had laughed at me for real in that moment I would have ACTUALLY judo-chopped you. I kept blubbering to other Target shoppers not to step on the glass. They kept a wide radius, whether from my broken-glass warning or the rabid gleam in my eye, I’m not sure.
After that I headed straight for the Easter candy section. I bought 6 bags of Sweet Tart Jelly Beans and an entire package of Reese’s Eggs. They were almost gone by the time we got home. Why no, I’m not an emotional-eater, are you?
Guys, I’m totally obsessed with lentils lately.
I keep adding them to things that should not have lentils in them. Sometimes it turns out pretty bad…but sometimes I find a gem. Like these Greek Lentil Tacos.
Have you guys had regular lentil tacos? Just replace ground beef with cooked lentils, basically. Budget Bytes and A Couple Cooks both have great recipes.
This is my Mediterranean-ish version. The lentils are cooked in oregano and garlic, and topped with cucumber pico de gallo. I like the coolness that the cucumbers add to the pico. A simple dill-yogurt sauce rounds out the spice. Forgive me for not Greekify-ing these more by putting them in pitas; I just happen to prefer a thinner wrapper. I’m sure pitas would be great too. A very satisfying meatless meal.
Do you guys give up? Or are you thirsty for more?
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Greek Lentil Tacos with Cucumber Pico de Gallo
Ingredients
For the lentils:
- 5 cups water
- 1 & 1/4 cups lentils, or 8 ounces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- black pepper, to taste
For the yogurt sauce:
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon dill
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic, minced
For the Cucumber Pico de Gallo
- 3 roma tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, minced
- 1/2 medium cucumber, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- lemon juice, from 1/2 lemon
- cilantro , chopped, to taste
- 10-12 corn tortillas
- 4 ounces feta cheese
Instructions
- In a medium pot, bring 5 cups of water to a boil. Rinse the lentils in a colander. Add the lentils to the pot and bring back to a boil. Continue to cook for 20-25 minutes or until tender. Add more water if necessary. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add half a red onion (save the other half for the pico de gallo) and saute for about 5 minutes or until soft. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the lentils. Add 1/4 cup water, tomato paste, oregano, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper to taste.
- Meanwhile, make the yogurt sauce. In a small bowl combine yogurt, dill, salt, and garlic. Store in the fridge until you are ready to eat.
- Make the Cucumber Pico de Gallo. In a medium bowl combine the tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, cucumber, salt and lemon juice. You can either add cilantro to the Pico or garnish each taco with it.
- Heat the corn tortillas by spraying each side with nonstick spray and spreading them out on a baking sheet. Broil for about 2-3 minutes, then flip each tortilla and broil again for 2 minutes. Alternatively, you could heat them on the stovetop.
- To build the tacos, spoon some lentils down the center of a tortilla, top with yogurt sauce, Cucumber Pico de Gallo, and feta.
Notes
Nutrition
Here’s how I like to cut my tomatoes for pico de gallo. I slice them one way not quite to the bottom, then the other way, then turn and chop.
I did the same thing for the cucumbers.
I can not believe that I never knew that way for chopping tomatoes! I love it, thank you!
One of my favorite hacks! Thanks David!
These were amazing for dinner tonight! I am on a lentil kick too for our meatless meals. I added a little turmeric and extra oregano to the lentils. I used pita pockets as you had mentioned as an alternative as well. 5 out of 5 stars!! Thanks for another relatively easy meal night idea!
I’m so glad you liked them Kim! I haven’t made these in forever. That cucumber pico! I love it! Thanks for reviewing :)
I love lentils, but my hubby…not so much! I might have to make these for our next Taco Tuesday night!
This looks so freshity fresh! Makes me feel all springy inside! The dropped lightbulbs. I am so sorry. Break downs in grocery stores are the worst. Glad you made it out alive (and with candy!)
I would have cried, too. Then I would have eaten all the chocolate. This tacos look crazy good!
Candy fixes everything!! I’m pretty sure I would have headed the same direction after an episode like that – oh, and I like your choice of candy, too. You’ve got great taste, lady :). Which is definitely confirmed by these lentil tacos – I might just make these for Meatless Monday tomorrow. Sounds and looks absolutely delicious. I love lentils. Pinning!!
Love your cucumber pico de gallo recipe. I’m definitely going to have to try it.
I love tacos, and I love Greek. Can’t wait to try these!! Great tip on slicing the tomatoes and cucumbers, way better than how I slice them. Ha.
These will definitely be a future meal in my house! I love that you used lentils.
PS: Broken glass can always be fixed with some candy ;)
Hi Karen, once again you had me a chuckling up a storm here, great post. And I really do mean this in the nicest way. It happens to all of us with kids one time or another so I really do get the rabid gleam in one’s eye. Tacos look amazing!
These are gorgeous tacos… I’m just about convinced to give lentils a try! And sorry about the light bulbs. Being a mom is so humbling. I’ve been there for sure. Only for me it was a ceramic tiger head in Hobby Lobby instead of light bulbs. Hang in there!
Who is not fascinated with lentils? We just sprouted some for the first time (hooray for pinterest!) and put them in salads and on deli sandwiches. I am totally pinning this recipe on my meatless dinner board.
If I had seen you at Target crying, I would have bought that candy for you, and told you to not worry about the broken glass, I’ll tell the workers there that I did it. And then would have only laughed a teeny bit on my way home, because I’m sure it looked a little funny : )
I love the idea of lentil tacos! Great for meatless Mondays. We just had a greek restaurant open in town, and I’m obsessed with the flavors. I don’t know why it took me so long to have greek food. Yum!
I love to mix cultures and food so this greek taco is right up my alley. really cool idea.