Sweet Smoky Bbq Lentils Recipe

I recently whipped up these Sweet Smoky BBQ Lentils that totally took a chill twist on the usual dinner routine, mixing tender lentils with a crazy combo of smoky spices, tangy sauces, and a hint of sweetness that just makes my tastebuds do a little happy dance every time I make ’em.

I love making Sweet Smoky BBQ Lentils cause its nutritious. I think rinsed brown lentils simmered in veggie broth with olive oil, yellow onion, and garlic create a hearty base.

Smoky BBQ sauce, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and brown sugar give it a kick.

Ingredients

• Lentils are packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients making them superhealthy.
• Olive oil provides healthy fats that help absorb vitamins and enrich flavor.
• Smoky BBQ sauce gives a sweet tangy kick and bold, robust taste.
• Tomato paste adds richness and a tangy depth to every bite.
• Apple cider vinegar introduces a zesty sour note that brightens the dish.
• Smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder impart warmth and a gentle spicy hint.
• Diced onion and garlic form a savory base for this delightful meal.
• Rinsed lentils in water or veggie broth result in a tender and balanced texture.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup dried brown or green lentils (rinsed)
• 2 1/2 cups water or veggie broth (for cooking the lentils)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup smoky BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar or maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

How to Make this

1. Start by rinsing 1 cup of dried lentils in cold water then put them in a pot with 2 1/2 cups of water or veggie broth; bring it to a boil.

2. Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes until the lentils are tender, stirring occasionally.

3. While the lentils cook, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat.

4. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion to the oil an stir it until its soft and a bit transparent.

5. Toss in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for another minute until you get a nice aroma.

6. Stir in 1 cup of smoky BBQ sauce, 1/4 cup tomato paste, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar to the onions and garlic.

7. Sprinkle in 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the sauce.

8. Mix in 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar or maple syrup and let the sauce cook for a couple minutes so all the flavors mix well.

9. Once the lentils are done, drain any excess liquid and add them to the sauce pan, then stir everything together.

10. Lower the heat and let everything simmer together for another 5 minutes then serve warm and enjoy your Sweet Smoky Bbq Lentils!

Equipment Needed

1. Pot – Use it for cooking the lentils in water or veggie broth
2. Medium Pan – Needed to heat the olive oil and cook the onions, garlic, and sauce
3. Strainer – For rinsing the dried lentils before cooking
4. Knife – To dice the medium yellow onion and mince the garlic
5. Cutting Board – For safely chopping the onion and garlic
6. Measuring Cups – To measure the lentils, water/broth, and BBQ sauce
7. Measuring Spoons – For the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, spices, and brown sugar/maple syrup
8. Stirring Spoon – For stirring the lentils and the sauce as they cook
9. Stove – To heat the pot and pan for boiling and simmering

These are the essentials you’ll need to make the Sweet Smoky Bbq Lentils.

FAQ

• Q: Can I use red lentils instead of brown or green?
  A: Yeah, you can, but red lentils cook faster and could turn mushy so keep an eye on it.
• Q: Do I have to use a smoky BBQ sauce?
  A: Not really, you could mix in a regular BBQ sauce with a pinch of smoked paprika though the smoky flavour might not be as strong.
• Q: Can i make this recipe vegan?
  A: Sure thing, all the ingredients are plant based so it’s perfect for a vegan meal.
• Q: How long can i store the lentils?
  A: You can put them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze if needed.
• Q: What can I serve it with?
  A: It goes great with rice, a baked potato, or even as a hearty topping for a salad.

Sweet Smoky Bbq Lentils Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Lentils: If you don’t have brown or green lentils, try red lentils or even split peas. Red lentils cook faster but they get kinda mushy.
• Smoky BBQ Sauce: You can make your own mix with ketchup, a splash of molasses, and a few drops of liquid smoke. It’s not exactly the same but still tasty.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Use white wine vinegar or lemon juice instead. The tang might be a bit different, but it’ll work fine.
• Olive Oil: Canola or avocado oil can be a good swap if you’re out of olive oil, though the flavor may change slightly.

Pro Tips

Alright, check it out—here’s how you can make this Sweet Smoky BBQ Lentils recipe and a few pro tips to make it even better.

First, rinse 1 cup of dried brown or green lentils really well in cold water. Then toss them into a pot with 2 1/2 cups of water or veggie broth, and bring it all to a boil. Once it boils, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes until the lentils are tender. Make sure you stir a bit now and then so they dont stick.

While the lentils are cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and cook it until it gets soft and kinda transparent. Throw in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for another minute or so until you can really smell that yummy garlic aroma.

Now mix in 1 cup of smoky BBQ sauce, 1/4 cup tomato paste, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. Then sprinkle in 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar or even maple syrup. Let the sauce cook for a couple minutes so all the flavors get to know each other.

Once the lentils are all done, drain any extra liquid and put them into the sauce pan. Let everything simmer together for another 5 minutes on low heat then serve warm.

Pro Tips:
1. Make sure you really rinse your lentils properly; this get rid of any dust and helps them cook evenly.
2. When cooking the onions, don’t rush it. Taking your time to caramelize them a bit adds a lot of flavor thats worth the wait.
3. Adjust the sweetness to your taste, you may want a bit more or less brown sugar/maple syrup depending on how tangy or sweet you like your sauce.
4. If you want an even smokier taste, you can add a tiny pinch extra smoked paprika at the very end.
5. To have a richer flavor, cook the sauce a little longer before tossing in the lentils so the tomato paste and BBQ sauce really meld together.

Enjoy making it and have fun with your cooking!