Do you use lentils in your cooking? If you don’t, you should get started right now. These little legumes play an important role in Mediterranean cuisine. Lentils are a low-cost, quick-to-cook ingredient that goes well in soups, salads, and other dishes. They also offer numerous heart-healthy properties, which we’ll discuss in a moment. If you like lentils already, great…now you must try our Greek Lentil “Meatballs.” If you’re a vegetarian or cutting back on red meat like we are, this dish is a fun way to use superfood lentils and satisfy your MEATball cravings.

We used green lentils in this meal, but other types such as brown and red lentils are also popular. Lentils are high in fiber and include various vitamins and minerals such as iron, B vitamins, and magnesium, all of which are beneficial to heart health. They’re high in polyphenols, which may help lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. Lentils are high in protein, making them an excellent meat alternative.

Step by step Instructions

Follow the package directions for cooking lentils. Be sure to use a large enough saucepan as the lentils will double or triple in size. In a small dish, mix 1 tablespoon milled flax seed with 3 tablespoons water and put aside for 10 minutes to make the flax egg. Mince the garlic cloves and dice the onion and mushrooms. In a heated sauté pan with 1 tbsp. olive oil, cook the vegetables until softened. Allow the lentils and vegetables to cool slightly.

To begin, pulse the lentils in a food processor until a paste forms. Then, with the exception of the cheese and breadcrumbs, combine the sautéed vegetables with the remaining ingredients. Pulse until all of the ingredients are combined, scraping down the sides as needed.

Place the crumbled feta cheese (if using block cheese) in a mixing bowl and fold in the breadcrumbs. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly spray the parchment with cooking oil. Roll the lentil mixture into 1″ balls with your hands and place on a prepared baking sheet. Bake the meatballs for 10-15 minutes, then flip them and bake for another 10-15 minutes.

Our Greek Lentil Meatballs may be served as an appetizer or with a dipping sauce like tzatziki or tomato sauce. As a protein topping for your favorite salad, toss them in with whole wheat or plant-based pasta.

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