Vegan Lentil Meatballs (Mercımek Kofte)

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.

Jump to:

• 🤩 What is Mercimek Koftesi?
• 🥘 Ingredients
• 🔪 How to make red lentil meatballs?
• 🍽 How to serve lentil meatballs?
• ❓How to cook red lentils?
• 🤹‍♂️ Variations and alternatives
• 📦 Storage
• 📍Tips
• 💭 FAQs
• 🥕 More vegan recipes
• 🌡️ Food safety
• 📋 Vegan Lentil Meatballs (Mercımek Kofte)

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?

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:

1. Quinoa: a nutritious gluten-free grain-like seed.
2. Rice: Both white and brown rice can be used as a gluten-free substitute here.
3. Millet: another gluten-free grain that can be cooked and used in place of bulgur.
4. Amaranth: an ancient grain that can be cooked and used similarly to bulgur.
5. Sorghum: also a gluten-free grain that can substitute bulgur in this recipe.
6. Rice Noodles: can use these as a gluten-free substitute for bulgur, is especially good in salads and stir-fries.
7. Corn Grits/Polenta: cooked (coarse) ground corn can be used here too.
8. 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.

💭 FAQs

🥕 More vegan recipes

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!