Versatile Plant-Based Ground Beef Replacement
Versatile Plant-Based Ground Beef Replacement
Ingredients
For the Base
- 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
- 1 cup walnuts, rinsed
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, cleaned and roughly chopped
- 3 cups vegetable broth or water, for cooking lentils and walnuts
For the Sauté
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
For Seasoning and Flavor
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast, (optional, for cheesy flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Combine the rinsed lentils and walnuts in a medium saucepan. Add 3 cups of vegetable broth or water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until lentils are tender and walnuts are softened. Drain any excess liquid.
⏱️ 25 min
- 2
Transfer the cooked lentils and walnuts to a food processor. Add the roughly chopped cremini mushrooms. Pulse the mixture in short bursts until it forms a coarse, crumbly texture. Be careful not to over-process; it should not become a smooth paste.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the diced red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and yellow onion. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Add the processed lentil-walnut-mushroom mixture to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Stir well to combine.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, and black pepper. Pour in the soy sauce or tamari and nutritional yeast (if using). Add salt to taste.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Continue to cook the mixture over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mixture should dry out slightly, become crumbly, and deepen in color, resembling cooked ground beef. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 15 min
- 8
Remove from heat and use immediately in your favorite dishes, such as tacos, pasta sauces, burrito bowls, or as a burger patty base.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Versatile Plant-Based Ground Beef Replacement
For the Base
- 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
- 1 cup walnuts, rinsed
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, cleaned and roughly chopped
- 3 cups vegetable broth or water, for cooking lentils and walnuts
For the Sauté
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
For Seasoning and Flavor
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast, (optional, for cheesy flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Combine the rinsed lentils and walnuts in a medium saucepan. Add 3 cups of vegetable broth or water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until lentils are tender and walnuts are softened. Drain any excess liquid.
⏱️ 25 min - 2
Transfer the cooked lentils and walnuts to a food processor. Add the roughly chopped cremini mushrooms. Pulse the mixture in short bursts until it forms a coarse, crumbly texture. Be careful not to over-process; it should not become a smooth paste.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the diced red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and yellow onion. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Add the processed lentil-walnut-mushroom mixture to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Stir well to combine.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, and black pepper. Pour in the soy sauce or tamari and nutritional yeast (if using). Add salt to taste.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Continue to cook the mixture over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mixture should dry out slightly, become crumbly, and deepen in color, resembling cooked ground beef. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 15 min - 8
Remove from heat and use immediately in your favorite dishes, such as tacos, pasta sauces, burrito bowls, or as a burger patty base.
⏱️ 1 min