Vegan Picadillo

This vegan picadillo is made with spiced lentils and also walnuts simmered up with juicy tomatoes, bell peppers, wonderful raisins and also pimento-stuffed eco-friendly olives. Offer over rice for a calming, tasty and also well balanced meal!

White wooden surface set with skillet, bunch of cilantro and plate of Vegan Picadillo.

Occasionally, alright generally, when I find out about some brand-new to me food thing, my response is to obtain actually ecstatic and also intend to veganize it. This can take place also if I understand absolutely nothing regarding the food. I simply actually like having fun with brand-new meals and also active ingredients, and also if someone likes it, there’s generally something I can deal with.

That was basically my response when I initially found out about picadillo, and also when I explored, I intended to make a vegan variation a lot more. It’s primarily a large old Latin American stew of hamburger with flavors, olives and also raisins.

I’m attracted by the olives + raisins combination, or simply olives and also wonderful tastes generally. My mind claims “odd,” yet it’s constantly tasty.

I made a decision to develop my vegan picadillo making use of a mix of lentils and also walnuts instead of meat, and also as anticipated, it was tasty. The mix of tastes and also structures in this one was spectacular. It’s simple to make, functional, and also excellent for dish preparation.

Dive to:

Components You’ll Require

Lentils. We’re making use of brownish lentils. Eco-friendly must function also, yet will certainly require somewhat longer to prepare. I do not advise making use of red lentils, which have a tendency to obtain mushy.
Olive oil. Usage an additional high warmth oil if you would certainly such as, though olive will certainly offer your picadillo the very best taste.
Onion.
Garlic.
Red bell pepper.
Sliced walnuts. You can leave these out if you choose or have a nut allergic reaction. They include a great structure, yet I have actually made the meal without them and also it was simply great.
Flavors. You’ll require ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried out oregano, cinnamon and also cloves. Do not stint anything, as the taste mix is enchanting!
Tinned diced tomatoes.
Tomato sauce.
Merlot vinegar.
Soy sauce. Do not hesitate to utilize gluten-free tamari or fluid aminos rather.
Pimento-stuffed eco-friendly olives.
Raisins.
Salt and also pepper.
Fresh cilantro.
Lime wedges. These are optional, yet a capture of lime juice will certainly improve the taste of your vegan picadillo.

Just How It’s Made

The complying with is a thorough picture tutorial on exactly how to make this meal. Scroll completely down if you wish to miss appropriate to the dish!

Beginning by preparing your lentils. You desire them to be somewhat undercooked. You can prep the staying active ingredients while the lentils simmer.

Bell pepper and onion cooking in a skillet with wooden spoon.

Warm your oil in a frying pan and also include diced onion and also bell pepper. Sweat the veggies simply till they soften up.

Peppers, onions, walnuts and spices cooking in a skillet.

Include the walnuts, garlic and also flavors to the frying pan. Sauté the mix for almost a min, mixing during and also enjoying it like a hawk to stay clear of shedding anything.

Mix in the prepared lentils, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, vinegar, and also soy sauce. Allow the mix simmer for regarding 10 mins, which must be simply sufficient time for the lentils to end up food preparation and also the sauce to enlarge up.

Skillet of Vegan Picadillo with olives and raisins on top.

Take the frying pan off of warmth and also mix in the olives and also raisins. Period the mix with some salt and also pepper to preference.

Skillet of Vegan Picadillo with a wooden spoon.

Your vegan picadillo prepares to offer with a capture of fresh lime juice!

Meal-Prep Tips

The lentils can be prepared ahead of time and also kept in an impermeable container in the refrigerator for approximately 4 days, or in the fridge freezer for approximately 3 months.
The onion and also bell pepper can be diced ahead of time and also kept with each other in an impermeable container in the refrigerator.

Leftovers & & Storage Space

Remaining vegan picadillo maintains quite possibly and also can be kept in an impermeable container in the refrigerator for approximately 3 days.

Often Asked Concerns

Just how is picadillo offered?

Picadillo can be offered many methods! Match it up with some prepared rice or quinoa, things it right into tacos, or cook it in empanadas.

Is this dish gluten-free?

It can be! Just utilize gluten-free tamari or fluid aminos rather than soy sauce.

Is vegan picadillo warm?

No. This meal is has a complicated taste account with numerous flavors, yet it’s extremely moderate.

A Lot More Vegan Latin American Dishes

Similar to this dish? If so, please quit back and also leave me a testimonial and also ranking listed below if you attempt it! Likewise make sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram, or sign up for my e-newsletter for even more dishes such as this one!

Components

1 mug dried out brownish lentils
2 tbsps olive oil
1 tool onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
4 garlic cloves, diced
1/2 mug sliced walnuts
2 tsps ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp dried out oregano
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch cloves
1 ( 14 ounce/400 gram) can diced tomatoes
1 ( 8 ounce/236 ml) can tomato sauce
1 tbsp merlot vinegar
1 tbsp soy sauce
2/3 mug pimento-stuffed eco-friendly olives
1/2 mug raisins
salt and also pepper, to taste
Sliced fresh cilantro, for offering
Lime wedges, for offering (optional)

Guidelines

Area the lentils right into a little pan and also cover them with water. Area the pot over high warmth and also bring the water to a boil.
Reduced the warmth and also enable the lentils to simmer till they’re nearly completely prepared, yet still a little bit company at their facilities, regarding 20 mins.
Drain pipes the lentils right into a bowl-shaped sieve.
Cover all-time low of a big frying pan with the oil and also location it over tool warmth. Include the onion and also bell pepper.
Sweat the onion and also pepper for regarding 5 mins, till they start to soften, mixing often.
Include the garlic, walnuts, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cinnamon and also cloves. Sauté the mix for regarding 1 min, mixing frequently.
Mix in the prepared lentils, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, merlot vinegar, and also soy sauce. Bring the mix to a simmer and also chef whatever simply till the lentils hurt and also the sauce enlarges up a little bit, regarding 10 mins, mixing sometimes.
Get rid of the frying pan from warmth and also mix in the olives and also raisins. Period with salt and also pepper to preference.
Split onto plates and also offer with a spray of fresh cilantro and also lime wedges.