Looking for a quick recipe to make with your lentils? Well look no further because my BBQ Lentils over Cheese Grits is the perfect pantry staple meal that you can have in just under 30 minutes! It doesn’t matter if you’re plant based or a meat eater, this fulling and versatile recipe is sure to satisfy your palette.
This year I am participating in the 2021 Black History Virtual Potluck. A collaborative menu of recipes contributed by 40+black bloggers from around the globe in honor of Black History Month. This recipe was my contribution this year to the potluck. See a sampling of some of the other delicious participant recipes at the end of this page..
Lentils have been my go-to comfort food for the past year. This underrated ingredient is so versatile and fulfilling, that its a staple in many households. I enjoy eating BBQ Lentils when I want something smokey and sweet. Pair with dairy-free cheesy grits, and you are good to go.
What ingredients do you need for this recipe?
- Raw Lentil
- Vegetable
- Bay Leaf
- Carrots
- Onion
- Barbecue Sauce
- Avocado Oil
- Grits
- Plant Based Cheddar Cheese
- Plant Based Parmesan
- Plant Based Butter
- Salt
- Pepper
- Smoke Paprika
What other ways can you eat your lentils?
The good thing about the BBQ lentils in this recipe is that you don’t necessarily have to eat them over grits. Here are some other ways that you can enjoy them.
- BBQ Lentil Sandwich
- You can put them over a baked sweet potato
- Enjoy your BBQ Lentils by their lonesome
What are the best grits to use?
For this particular dish I love to use Gluten-Free Corn Grits from Bob’s Red Mill. They’re perfect in southern style dishes, and taste absolutely delicious if you cook them with broth and mix with cheese. Since this is a plant based recipe, I used plant based cheddar, parmesan and butter.
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BBQ Lentils over Cheese Grits
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
BBQ Lentils
2c Raw Lentils
6c Vegetable Broth
1 Bay Leaf
1c Diced Carrots
1 White Onion (diced)
1 1/2c Barbecue Sauce
1/2tbs Avocado Oil
1/4tsp Salt
1/4tsp Pepper
1/4tsp Smoked Paprika
Grits
3 1/2c Cooked Grits
1/4c Dairy- Free Milk of choice
2tbs Vegan Butter
1c Vegan Cheddar (shredded)
1/2c Vegan Parmesan
Instructions
In a large pot, bring lentils, vegetable broth, and bay leaf to a boil.
Let simmer uncovered for about 30-35 minutes or until lentils are tender.
While your lentils are cooking start working on your sauce.
In a large skillet, heat 1/2tbs avocado oil over medium heat.
Sauté your onion and carrots with salt, pepper, smoked paprika until carrots are soft and onions are translucent.
Add barbecue sauce and give it a good stir.
Drain lentils and reserve the cooking water.
Pour sauce over your lentils and mix well. If you find that your sauce is too thick, just add a little bit of your cooking water to thin it out.
To make your grits, mix all Grits ingredients until cheese and butter has completed melted.
Serve your lentils over grits.
- Category: Plant Based
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Dinner
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 422
- Sugar: 9.6g
- Sodium: 1160.9mg
- Fat: 12.9g
- Saturated Fat: 2.8g
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 58.3g
- Fiber: 10.7g
- Protein: 20.9g
- Cholesterol: 0
If you enjoy this recipe, then you may also enjoy my Smoky Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder or Vegan Thai Red Curry.
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This looks delicious! What BBQ sauce do you recommend?
Hi Rebekah,
Thank you so much. If you’re using a store bought bbq sauce, I would go with Sweet Baby Ray’s Brown Sugar Sauce. If you can’t find SBR, I’d go with anything that focuses on brown sugar.
What kind of lentils do you recommend?
Hi JP, I LIKE TO USE BLACK LENTILS.
Hi! Do you use the reserved water from the lentils to cook the grits?
Thanks!
Hi Jenna,
I personally have not done that, but will be giving it a try. The extra flavor would be delicious in my opinion.
I made these today and loved them so much! It did seem to take a good while to get the carrots and onions done, so next time I will saute them alone till they are almost done and then add the sauce ingredients. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
★★★★★
Thank you so much Lin for giving it try! I’m glad you said something about the cooking time on the carrots, I will be updating the cooking time because my Husband literally just suggested the same thing.