Kung Pao Lentils

Spicy Kung Pao Lentils with a delicious kung pao sauce, veggies and cooked lentils. Easy 30 minute weeknight dinner. Gluten-free Vegan Recipe. Note: If you find lentils too earthy, double the sauce, or use other legumes like chickpeas.

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You knew this was coming right. a spicy kung pao sauce and vegetables and lentils!

The whole meal including the brown rice came together in like 40 minutes. The Lentils were put in their saucepan, brown rice in a pressure cooker. then I chopped up veggies, made the sauce, listened to some songs. Then when the lentils were almost done, I heated up the skillet for cooking the vegetables. While the vegetables got cooked, the lentils were ready and the brown rice was off heat and waiting on natural pressure release. Lentils and sauce cooked up for a few minutes then on the table.

Spice from the whole chilies, crunchy red pepper, celery and cashews/peanuts, earthy lentils and brown rice. perfect. 

Use pre-cooked lentils, or other cooked beans like green mung beans, use Chickpeas! or seitan or Tofu. Add them at the step to add lentils. Use other vegetables like broccoli, snowpeas, eggplant etc. Double the sauce, add more chilies for more heat! This recipe is inspired my other popular Sweet and sour Lentils with mango.

This recipe is 
Easy
spicy, sweet and sour
has least processed ingredients
is perfect for weekday meals.

More lentil recipes and asian recipes from the blog. 

Sweet and sour lentils lettuce wraps
Massaman curry Vegetables
Spicy Orange Tofu and Peppers
Crispy Orange Cauliflower
Teriyaki Tempeh and shiitake mushrooms
Pad Thai

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4.85 from 40 votes

Kung Pao Lentils

Spicy, sweet, and sour Kung Pao Lentils come together with a delicious kung pao sauce, veggies, and cooked lentils. This is a super easy one pot, 30 minute weeknight dinner that is gluten-free and vegan.  The earthy lentils and Asian flavors of garlic, ginger, and soy sauce work perfect together.  Serve these vegan lentils with brown rice to turn it into a complete meal!

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Entree

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: Kung Pao Lentils

Servings: 3

Calories: 283kcal

Author: Vegan Richa

Ingredients

For the Lentils:

• 1/2 cup (96 g) dry brown lentils washed and drained
• 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) water
• a generous pinch of salt

For the Sauce:

• 2-3 Tbsp (2 to 3 Tbsp) soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 1 Tbsp dry sherry or rice wine
• 1 tsp hoisin sauce or use more soy sauce
• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 2-3 tsp (2 to 3 tsp) raw sugar or use 1 to 2 Tbsp maple syrup or other sweetener
• a generous dash of lime zest 1/4 tsp
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 3 Tbsp water

For the vegetables:

• 2 tsp grapeseed oil or other neutral oil
• 1/2 cup (75 g) chopped white or red onion
• 4 dried red chilies like arbol or red chinese broken into halfs (or use red pepper flakes to taste)
• 3 Tbsp cashews or peanuts
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch knob of ginger, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 3/4 cup (75.75 g) chopped celery
• lemon juice and black pepper, for garnish

Instructions

• Cook the Lentils: Combine the lentils, water, and salt in a saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil over medium high heat, about 6 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender to preference. Let the lentils sit for 5 minutes before using. Drain excess water if needed and keep aside. Or use 1 1/4 cup cooked lentils or beans.
• Make the Sauce: Combine all the sauce ingredients into a bowl. Mix well to combine and keep aside.
• Cook the Veggies: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add onion and chilies and cook for 3 minutes. Add the cashews or peanuts and mix for a few seconds. Add garlic and ginger and mix in. Add the peppers and celery and mix well. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add in the sauce and cooked lentils and mix well. Add a few more tbsp water, if you like extra sauce. Reduce heat to low and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the sauce thickens and some is absorbed by the lentils. Taste and adjust spice and sweet. Add red pepper flakes to taste, if needed, and mix in. Garnish with a dash of lemon juice and black pepper. Serve with cooked rice or grains of choice.

Video

Notes

I used Brown Basmati Rice with the lentils: Make it in pressure cooker. Add 1 cup washed brown rice, scant 1 1/2 cup water, a generous pinch of salt, and a few drops of oil to the pressure cooker. Close the lid and cook for over medium high heat until the pressure reaches and then over low-medium heat, total 18 to 19 minutes. (1 whistle and then 13 to 14 minutes over low-medium heat). Let the pressure release naturally.

Nutritional values based on one serving.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Kung Pao Lentils

Amount Per Serving

Calories 283 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 413mg18%

Potassium 672mg19%

Carbohydrates 37g12%

Fiber 12g50%

Sugar 9g10%

Protein 12g24%

Vitamin A 1680IU34%

Vitamin C 87.6mg106%

Calcium 51mg5%

Iron 3.6mg20%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.