🌮 Tacos + 🥗 salad = the ultimate plant-based power meal! This vegan taco salad features spiced crispy lentils, fresh veggies, and zesty lime-cilantro dressing for a 30-minute dinner that's nutritious, delicious, and totally customizable.
Preheat oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prep the ingredients for the salad and set them aside.
Grab a large bowl or tray that you will be serving the salad on and set aside.
To the large bowl, combine all the lentil ingredients together and stir till well combined. Transfer to the parchment-lined baking sheet and cook for 20 minutes or until crispy. Check and stir them often to avoid burning.
While that bakes, make the dressing by adding all the ingredients to a deep jar or blender and blend till smooth using a blender or hand blender.
Once the lentils are cooked, let them cool slightly.
Assemble the salad by creating a platter-style salad or simply tossing everything together in a boll with your desired amount of dressing.
Notes
Spices: The spices for the lentils are entirely optional and really quite versatile/interchangeable so have fun with them! I would suggest using the flavors you love most and thinking about the classic taste of Taco Salad while developing that flavor profile.Storage: The salad is best enjoyed fresh. So I suggest only topping the salad with the dressing once you're ready to sit down/eat it. The crispy lentils can be tightly sealed, once cooled, and will last up to 5-7 days in a room temperature spot.Lentils: I love making this Taco Salad with lentils but if you're feeling like switching it up, you can use chickpeas or white beans.