These vegan red lentil meatballs are a delightful Turkish classic made with red lentils and bulgur. Traditionally, mercimek köftesi is served with herbs and fresh salad leaves. This dish makes a great snack or even lunch or dinner. Filling and delicious!
I love Turkish cuisine as everything is made with fresh nutritious ingredients and these lentil meatballs are no different. The first time I had these was at a gathering a few years back when one of my friends introduced me to them. I cannot tell you how much I loved them. Instantly. Besides, you know I am a lentil lover so this is another red lentil recipe or dish that is utterly unmissable.
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If you like lentils, just like I do, you will need to try my lentil bread another amazing lentil dish, or my lentil soup (dhal)
🤩 What is Mercimek Koftesi?
Mercimek köftesi also known as bulgur kofte is definitely a dish you must make especially if you love a good vegan red lentil recipe.
Mercimek köftesi or vegan Turkish lentil meatballs, or vegan lentil balls, also known as red lentil kofte is a common dish that's a staple in many Turkish households and it is considered a cold mezze.
I am sure you will love this lentil kofta just as much or even more, check this recipe out.
🥘 Ingredients
Here are the ingredients that you will need for these yummy vegan lentil balls:
- Red lentils - red split lentils are widely available at any supermarket. They turn yellow and mushy once cooked.
- Bulgur - Bulgur can be found coarse or fine but for this recipe, we need fine bulgur.
- Olive oil - Like all Mediterranean recipes, olive oil takes an important part both for flavor and health benefits. I have used extra virgin olive oil.
- Onion and garlic - a must in this recipe - both need sauteing and then combined with cooked bulgur and the red lentils.
- Tomato paste - needed for color to the lentil balls and flavor less the juiciness of the tomatoes which we do not need here.
- Parsley and spring onion/scallions - Both are ubiquitous in Turkish cuisine for adding freshness and flavor to these vegan meatballs. Use the parsley stems - they're full of fiber and flavor, I never throw these away!
- Spices and Seasoning - You need cumin powder, baharat, salt, and black pepper.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities.
🔪 How to make red lentil meatballs?
Cook the lentils as per package instructions (see FAQs below for more).
Sweat the onion and the garlic or caramelize if you like.
Add the tomato and pepper sauce and cook for a little longer.
Meanwhile, add the bulgur to the cooked lentils, mix, and cover. Allow resting for a minimum of 20 min.
Add all the ingredients into a glass bowl
Mix all the ingredients and form into balls
Hint: You can fry and caramelize the onion and the garlic if you wish, for extra flavor.
🍽 How to serve lentil meatballs?
- This high protein vegan dish can be served alongside other appetizers such as labneh, hummus, creamy eggplant dip, or this Creamy Cucumber, Fennel & Yogurt Dip. They are served cold and they're perfect for a tasty appetizer or even a quick lunch or a light dinner.
- With vegetable noodles such as a bed of spiralized zucchini and sweet potatoes.
- Serve with pasta and if you are not watching your carbs, they’d be just as tasty over a bed of traditional pasta noodles.
- These lentil balls pair well with this spicy lamb kofta on lettuce recipe
- Serve with a salad like this tomato, cucumber, and feta cheese salad. I particularly like to have these with this wonderful Moroccan Tomato And Cauliflower Soup which is an all-year-round dish and can be served cold or hot, the same as these Turkish lentils and bulgur meatballs.
❓How to cook red lentils?
On the stove
Usually, the ratio of red lentils to water is 1:3 so, for 1 cup of lentils you need to add 3 cups of water. So for 1 cup of red lentils, you’ll need 3 cups of water. Add a dash of salt if you like. Alternatively, you could substitute the water for vegetable broth. Choose a large pot as the lentils will at least double in size once cooked.
Step 1: Rinse lentils with plenty of cold water until the water drains clear.
Step 2: Place the rinsed lentils and water in a large pan. Add a pinch of salt. Place on medium heat and bring to a boil uncovered.
Step 3: Reduce heat, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, or until the lentils are soft. Suppose you prefer a firm (al dente) texture, cook for just 5-7 minutes. For mushy lentils, cook for 20-22 minutes.
Using a pressure cooker
Step 1 Place lentils in the instant pot, add 3 cups water and salt, and stir to combine.
Step 2 Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook time to 3 or 4 minutes.
Step 3 : Allow the pressure cooker to release pressure for approximately 15 minutes naturally, then turn the valve to quick release to release the remaining pressure. Remove the lid once the steam has escaped.
🤹♂️ Variations and alternatives
We love eating them like this but these meatless meatballs are pretty versatile and here is what you could do:
Cook the meatless balls:
You may cook them but need to add a binder like soaked chia seeds (2-3 tablespoons) or 2-3 eggs
- Cook them in tomato pasta or pizza sauce.
- Bake or pan-fry them. Although pan frying might be more traditional for meatballs in general, I find the hands-off baking method to be just as effective, delicious, a lot healthier, and much easier too.
Make this dish gluten-free
Simply substitute bulgur with:
- Quinoa: a nutritious gluten-free grain-like seed.
- Rice: Both white and brown rice can be used as a gluten-free substitute here.
- Millet: another gluten-free grain that can be cooked and used in place of bulgur.
- Amaranth: an ancient grain that can be cooked and used similarly to bulgur.
- Sorghum: also a gluten-free grain that can substitute bulgur in this recipe.
- Rice Noodles: can use these as a gluten-free substitute for bulgur, is especially good in salads and stir-fries.
- Corn Grits/Polenta: cooked (coarse) ground corn can be used here too.
- Gluten-Free Couscous: found in some specialty stores that offer gluten-free couscous made from alternative grains like corn, rice, or millet.
Remember to check product labels and ensure that they are gluten-free labelled and certified if you have celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity to avoid any potential cross-contamination.
📦 Storage
Store the wet ingredients (lettuce, tomato, onion) separately from the dry ingredients (buns) in the fridge, and recombine when ready. Good for 3-5 days.
📍Tips
- This recipe yields approximately 30 lentil balls and is enough for 5-6 people. You can store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 5 days.
- Red split lentils get super soft and fairly mushy when they're cooked. It's important to make sure the lentils aren't too watery since the vegan meatball mixture needs to be sticky sufficiently so you can shape it into balls.
- Make sure to use a fine bulgur and not a coarse version. The finer the bulgur, the smoother the meatball mixture is going to be. Coarse bulgur will make the mixture hard to shape.
- If the mixture is not sticky enough, add some olive oil, one tablespoon at a time while mixing the vegan meatball mixture.
- If you wish to bake them add one or two eggs for binding or a couple of spoons of chia seeds to keep this recipe vegan.
💭 FAQs
Yes, lentils are naturally gluten-free, low-fat, and a great source of protein. If you are following a gluten-free diet, these lentil meatballs are a great recipe option.
Yes, absolutely, these plant-based meatballs can be made ahead and kept refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Yes, you can definitely freeze vegan lentil meatballs. They freeze well, making them a convenient option for meal prep or quick and easy meals.
To freeze vegan lentil meatballs, allow them to cool completely to room temperature. Once they have cooled, place them in a single layer of parchment paper and put them in the freezer for about an hour. This technique will prevent them from sticking together when you put them in a container or freezer bag.
Once the lentil meatballs are totally or partially frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag.
Label the container or bag with the date and contents, and then store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To thaw the lentil meatballs, simply transfer them from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow them to thaw overnight.
You can also reheat them in the oven, microwave, or on the stove. Enjoy your Turkish vegan meatballs!
No, it is definitely not. Bulgur is a cereal derived from wheat and should be avoided if you have celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or a wheat allergy. The process of making bulgur involves parboiling whole wheat, typically the durum variety, followed by drying and then grinding it.
Simply by substituting the bulgur with a gluten-free alternative. See the options above in variations and alternatives.
🥕 More vegan recipes
- Perfect quince jam40 Minutes
- Easy Elderflower Cordial24 Hours 15 Minutes
- Seriously Good Chunky Roasted Cauliflower With Capers And Raisins Dressing35 Minutes
- Garlic Infused Mushrooms20 Minutes
My favorite dishes to serve or pair the vegan lentil balls with:
Check for more delicious recipes like these Chilli Con Meatballs, Grandma's Meatball Soup Recipe, Brown And Green Lentils With Portobello Mushrooms, Wasabi Rocket And Watercress Hearty Salad.
🌡️ Food safety
Since there is not much cooking involved in prepping these lentil meatballs, there are only a few things you should consider:
- Wash your hands thoroughly and even wear special thin gloves when rolling those;
- Do not use utensils that were previously used or touched raw meat;
- Wash hands after finishing.
Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page if you have made this recipe and liked it. Thanks for stopping by!
📋 Vegan Lentil Meatballs (Mercımek Kofte)
Ingredients
- 1 cup red lentils red split lentils
- ½ cup fine bulgur brown
- 1 medium onion
- 2 large cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon tomato and pepper paste found in Turkish grocery store * (see notes)
- 15 sprigs parsley (1.5 cups) chopped
- 8-10 medium scallions/spring onions aka green onion
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon baharat powder optional
Instructions
- In a sauce pan cook the lentils with 3 cups of water for approximately 20 minutes until they have cooked and are mushy in texture.
- Turn the heat off, add in the bulgur and cover with the lid. Allow it to rest for minimum 20 minutes.
- While the lentil is cooking, heat olive oil in a frying pan and saute onion and garlic for approximately 10 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and a little golden in color.
- Add in tomato paste and cook for a few more minutes. Turn off the heat.
- In a larger glass bowl, place the red lentil and bulgur mixture along with the onion mixture and mix. Add in the chopped parsley, green onions, cumin, salt, pepper and baharat spice.
- Shape the vegan lentil meatballs into balls or cylinder shape and place them on a plate. Once all shaped, refrigerate them and serve with a drizzle of fresh lemon and salad or as I have suggested tucked in segments of fresh Turkish green pepper..
Donna Lynn Hartley says
I made these with quinoa as I didn't have bulgur on hand. Because the quinoa is larger than the finely ground bulgar, the meatballs weren't as smooth and pretty as in the photo but they were delicious! I added 1 egg and 1T chia seeds to bind the mix and baked them. I served them with cauliflower shawarma, hummus, bab ghanouj and pita bread for a fab dinner with friends.
Ramona says
Hey Donna,
Thank you soo much for your feedback and the suggested alternatives to my recipe. It sounds really delicious your way of serving it, wow. I am a lentil, quinoa, chia seeds lover so it sounds amazing! I gather you are a lentil lover too, have you tried my lentil bread { https://www.ramonascuisine.com/healthy-lentil-bread-flourless/ } yet?
Thank you again and I do hope you will make more of my recipes from Ramona's Cuisine.🤗😉🩷
Brita Bruemmer says
Very tasty, I made them GF with quinoa as suggested. The mixture was too wet to form into balls though. So I added the cornstarch and baked the mixture in a 8x8 Pyrex dish. Cut it up into squares to serve.
Ramona says
Hey Brita,
Thanks so much for stopping by and for trying my recipe and mys uggestions. It is so funny your comment came through as I have made it with quinoa 3 days ago and baked it into small muffins moulds. It was delicious indeed!! Thank you soo much once again. I really hope you will come back and try other recipes too. 🤗🤗♥️♥️
Harry says
Made 200+ of these for an event and everyone absolutely loved them. Only change I made was using quinoa instead of bulgur so they were gluten free. Thanks for a great recipe!
Ramona says
Wow!! I am soo impressed Harry! 200+ ? You are a force. Thank you so much for using my recipe - i will try the quinoa instead of bulgur too. Great idea! Thank you so much.
Jonny says
Enjoyable, served with sauted cherry tomatoes oregano .
Ramona says
Thank you soo much Jonny! I am so happy you enjoyed the lentil meatballs. I love them too.
Ronnie says
These vegan meatballs were prefect - awesome work Ramona!!
Ramona says
Thank you dear Ronnie!
Amy Liu Dong says
I have never tried to make vegan meatballs, and this recipe looks so easy and delicious. I can't wait to make this for my vegan friend.
Ramona says
Definitely worth a try dear Amy, your friends will love it.
Jordan says
I love vegan meatballs! I've never tried making them with lentils though, so this is definitely on my must-try list. The flavors sound amazing.
Heidy says
These glute-free red lentil meatballs were a massive hit during girl's night at my house. My friends loved them, and I passed along the link to your recipe! Have a fantastic night!
Isa says
I think these sound wonderful and would love to find a great vegan meatball recipe but I only have green lentils. Can I use these instead of the red lentils?
Ramona says
I am not sure these are starchy enough, you may need to mush them and perhaps add a binding ingredient such as egg, corn flour, or soaked chia seeds and cook them either in a pan or in the oven.
Kristina says
I loved the flavor and seasonings in these. They are similar to a ground lamb kibbeh recipe my family makes and this recipe gave me the idea to replace the lamb with lentils as a healthier option. Thank you!
Dee says
These vegan meatballs would be a wonderful addition to any plant-based meal. I look forward to trying it out myself. Thanks for sharing!
Jamie says
Oh my, this meatball dish looks so yummy! Loving the minimalist look plus it's Vegan, Gluten-free, and protein-packed! It's just so perfect!
Erin says
They look so good! Really picture perfect. I think to make a Turkish dish next month and this looks perfect!
silvia says
I've never made lentil meatballs before; they were a revelation!. I followed your instructions for baking them and they were so yummy. I'm definitely making them again.
Elizabeth says
These meatballs would be great to make for an appetizer or even a meal. I have not tried vegan meatballs before, so excited to give them a try!
Laura Arteaga says
We made them and served the vegan meatballs with some hummus and pita bread and we had such a delicious evening snack. Everyone really enjoyed it! thanks a lot!
Mikayla says
I made these to go with my pasta sauce and pasta for dinner. They were very hearty and moist. Great flavor. They would be really good sliced with some bread as a sandwich for lunch!
Camilla says
Lovely recipe! I love red lentils and these mercimek kofte balls are great! Tasty and filling!
Paige says
The recipe is amazing. I love it the very first time I saw the ingredients , I knew I had to make it. I will be making it again and again for my vegan friends. WOW!!