Nutritional Substitutes for Lentils
- Beans Beans are close nutritional substitutes for lentils. ...
- Peas Split, yellow and green peas are legumes. ...
- Soy Soy is a good substitute for lentils in vegetarian meat substitutes, such as veggie burgers. ...
- Fish If you want to eat lentils for their health benefits and are not a vegetarian, fish can be an occasional substitute for lentils. ...
What to do with lentils Besides soup?
Going Beyond Soup: 10 Satisfying Recipes Made with Lentils
- Spiced Lentil, Sweet Potato & Kale Whole Wheat Pockets
- Lentils with Broiled Eggplant
- Mediterranean Turkey Meatballs with Herbed Yogurt Sauce
- Colorful Lentil Salad with Walnuts & Herbs
- Spicy Lentil Wraps with Tahini Sauce BOTTOM ROW
- Lentil, Mushroom, and Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
- Lentil Tacos, via Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes
How much lentils should you eat?
Lentils are an excellent source of dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble. For good health, women should strive for an intake of at least 21 to 25 grams of fiber a day, while men should aim for a daily amount of 30 to 38 grams. Just one cup of cooked lentils provides 15.6 grams of fiber or 63 percent of your DV.
Are lentils or rice better for You?
Rice has more Selenium, however Lentil is higher in Folate, Fiber, Iron, Copper, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Vitamin B6, and Magnesium. Lentil covers your daily Folate needs 31% more than Rice. Lentil contains 3 times less Selenium than Rice. Rice contains 7.5µg of Selenium, while Lentil contains 2.8µg.
Can you use green lentils instead of brown lentils?
Hereof, can I substitute green lentils for Brown? You can substitute other lentils , though their texture and flavor will differ some. French green lentils can sub in salad and side dishes but red lentils , which also fall apart during cooking, are a better substitute in a soup.
Can you substitute rice for lentils?
One cup of dried lentils yields nearly 2 cups of cooked lentils; 1 cup of uncooked rice, meanwhile, yields from 3 to 4 cups, the USA Rice Federation website advises. Therefore, you should use 1 1/2 to 2 cups of dried lentils for every cup of dried rice required in a recipe.
What is a lentil similar to?
Lentils are members of the legume family, just like chickpeas or pinto beans, but we have a special, separate place for all the different types of lentils in our hearts. Across the board, lentils cook more quickly than beans.
What is a good substitute for red lentils?
The best substitute is yellow lentils (moong dal) but they will take a little longer to cook. You can also use green lentils but they don't turn "mushy" and hold their shape better. This may or may not be a desirable result depending on how you are using them.
Can you use chickpeas instead of lentils?
A: You can replace lentils with chickpeas in most recipes. They don't have the same taste or texture as lentils, but they will work just as well. If you're using canned chickpeas, drain then rinse the chickpeas and use them following recipe instructions.
Can I replace lentils with quinoa?
Quinoa can be used to replace lentils in recipes although the texture will differ. Quinoa is especially good to substitute in soups and casseroles. The quinoa will add texture, thicken a dish and provide almost the same nutrients as lentils.
Can I use split peas instead of lentils?
Yes, you can substitute split peas for lentils. Split peas are a type of legume, as are lentils, so they have a similar nutritional profile and texture after cooking. The main differences between them are their color, size, and flavor.
Is there a difference between lentils and beans?
Nutritional properties: Lentils have a lower phytate content than beans and are lower in indigestible sugars, which means that they are less likely to lead to flatulence than beans. Beans are also slightly higher in carbs than lentils, though their dietary fiber content can vary between legumes.
Does lentils taste like beans?
Lentils possess a mild, earthy taste different from the beany taste. Upon cooking, they release a mushy taste. However, the taste of Lentils differs according to each variety, and it ranges from being sweet to nutty to a peppery hot flavor.
Can I use red kidney beans instead of lentils?
Can I Use Kidney Beans Instead of Lentils? For the most part, kidney beans are not a great substitute for lentils, and vice versa.
Are chickpeas same as lentils?
So, what is the difference between chickpeas and lentils? Chickpeas are larger, heartier, and take longer to cook than lentils. In terms of health benefits, lentils have fewer calories, more protein, and more fiber per serving.
Are chickpeas considered a lentil?
They are a type of pulse — the dry edible seeds within the pod of legumes. Like other legumes, such as lentils, chickpeas are rich in fiber and protein. They also contain several key vitamins and minerals....Nutrition.Nutrients1 cup of chickpeas (164 g)Requirements per dayVitamin K (mcg)6.675–12018 more rows•Mar 30, 2021
What is healthier than lentils?
Chickpeas has more calcium (which is crucial for bone health) and magnesium than lentils, and also has good amounts of B vitamin but in less amount than lentils. Both have good amounts of Vitamin A , they contain small amounts of beta-carotene.
What foods are considered lentils?
Lentils, sometimes referred to as pulses, are a type of plant called a legume. Beans, chickpeas, fresh peas, sugar snap peas and snow peas are also legumes. Known for their high levels of protein compared to beans, lentils bring a lot to the plate.
What's the difference between beans and lentils?
Size: Lentils are much smaller than beans and produce fewer seeds per pod. This means that lentils have a shorter cooking time than beans, which you typically need to soak for at least eight hours before you cook them. You usually do not need to soak lentils before you cook them.
Can you replace beans with lentils?
Black beans are a great substitute in recipes that call for black lentils and pinto or fava beans can also be used to replace lentils. You can also use lima bean or Northern beans in soups and curries in place of lentils.
Can lentils replace meat?
You can absolutely replace meat with lentils in most meat-based recipes. It has a similar texture to ground meat, and when seasoned with the right spices, it tastes like beef.
The Closest: Peas and Beans
The closest substitutes you can find for lentils are other types of legumes, such as peas and beans. Split peas have a slightly stronger "earthy" flavor than lentils, but they have the same shape and texture when cooked. Most beans also have a similar texture and cooking process.
High-Protein Substitutes
If you're not vegetarian, meat can be a decent substitute for lentils. It lacks the fiber content, but typically has more protein per serving and all essential amino acids.
Other Substitutes
If you're not looking to replicate the exact shape and size of lentils, you have many more possibilities for substitution. In a soup or a casserole, for example, use a hearty grain as a replacement for lentils.
1. Yellow lentils
You can consider yellow lentils as the closest alternative to the red ones.
2. Green lentils
Green lentils give a peppery taste after cooking. Also, they do not disintegrate or turn mushy post-cooking.
4. Beans
Beans also work the same as lentils. Hence, if you are looking for a substitute that acts similar to red lentils in terms of flavor, consistency, and texture, beans make the perfect alternative.
5. Tofu
Tofu is one of the substitutes for red lentils when you cannot digest them or simply do not like their taste. Tofu is also a healthier substitute for red lentils in terms of calories.
6. Soy or Tempeh
Red lentils are known for their high source of protein. Hence, if you are looking for a substitute that matches the protein levels, you can try soy or Tempeh.
9. Cauliflower
Cauliflower florets give a rich, creamy flavor to the soups that might take red lentils otherwise. Crush or mash them after cooking to get a similar thickness. The earthy essence derived from red lentils is present in cauliflower florets also.
What Is the Difference Between Red Lentils and Regular Lentils?
Red lentils come in orange or red color. Regular lentils, on the other hand, have a brown or dull yellow color. Numerous varieties of regular lentils range from dark brown to khaki brown.
Beans
Beans are close nutritional substitutes for lentils. They are high in protein, dietary fiber, iron, folate and antioxidants, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Garbanzo beans, or chickpeas, black, navy, pinto, lima and fava beans are all good choices.
Peas
Split, yellow and green peas are legumes. They make good nutritional alternative to lentils because of their protein and antioxidants. Pea soup is a close substitute for lentil soup. You can make it healthier by choosing a low-sodium prepared soup or using low-sodium broth in your recipe.
Fish
If you want to eat lentils for their health benefits and are not a vegetarian, fish can be an occasional substitute for lentils. Fish is an excellent source of high-quality protein and it is low in unhealthy saturated fat. Fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna and herring, have a nutritional benefit over lentils because of their omega-3 fatty acids.
Brown and Green Lentils
When you think of lentils, these are probably the ones that come to mind. Brown and green lentils are the “everywhere” lentil. When you order generic “lentil soup” at a diner or neighborhood restaurant, you’ll just about certainly be getting these guys, which are bigger than the other kinds and have a flattened lens-like shape.
Red Lentils
Some red lentils are red, as you have probably observed. But they also move into the yellow/orange category too. Regardless of the hue, they’re most commonly found in Indian curry dishes like daal. These take about 20 minutes to cook, and when the skin of the red lentil splits, it breaks down quickly, turning mushy.
French Lentils (aka Lentilles du Puy)
We’re all about French lentils, because like the greatest boxers, lawyers, and internet trolls, they’re thick-skinned. This means that these speckled, greenish-bluish-greyish orbs, also called green French lentils or lentilles du Puy, retain their shape when cooked and have a pleasant, poppy texture.
Black Beluga Lentils
These are the most flavorful lentils around. Black lentils might not be quite as common as the other varieties, but buy them if you can find them. They’re small, nearly spherical, and can be mistaken for brown lentils with a darker shade of brown. What sets them apart is a thicker skin.
