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Thai Lentil Vegan “Meatloaf” with Apricot Glaze

Curry-Ginger Lentil Vegan “Meatloaf.” This gluten-free meatless entrée gives the real deal a run for its money! 

Thai Lentil Vegan Meatloaf with Marmalade Glaze | TheRoastedRoot.net #vegetarian #dinner #recipe #glutenfree

Ready or not, Thanksgiving is straight up at your front door. And guess who’s knocking? Every single dietary restriction known to man, and you must be prepared! If your holiday feast is fixing to look anything like mine, you’ll need to cater to gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, paleo, vegetarian, and/or vegan guests. <- Don’t panic, this is what the boozes are for.

I wish we could hold hands through the holidays and remind each other ITWILLALLBEOKAY. The crazy relatives, the smattering of restricted menus we must consider when hosting (or participating in) a feast. Not to mention all the extra gym time to follow the four slices of all the pies, the imminent detox, and the apologies required for things said while detoxing. 

What I’m getting at here is even if, like me, you’re amped to go into a massive turkey tryptophan coma on Thanksgiving, in all probability, there will be a vegetarian or vegan under your roof.

Don’t be alarmed.

No need to back away.

This loaf is here to help..

…and holy moly, it will vegan a meat eater make.

^^

I’ll give you a moment to put that in your pipe and smoke it

Finished? Lettuce continue.

Thai Vegan Meatloaf made with lentils and brown rice. Packed with vegetables and spiced to perfection! #glutenfree #dinner #recipe 

For those of you who are vegetarian//vegan//are planning a holiday menu for veg friends//simply enjoy a plant-based meal from time to time, here is your comforting, filling, flavor-infused, nutrient-packed hunk of non-meat lentil loaf. It’s loaded with vegetables, including celery, carrot, mushrooms, and spinach, along with your legume vitamin – the lentil, and your grain vitamin – the brown rice. Not to mention, we flavor blast the crap out of this thing by adding fresh ginger, curry powder, nutritional yeast (<- don’t skip it, folks!), onion and garlic. 

Fellow meat eaters: I know you’re rolling your eyes right now – I did too the first time I heard of fauxloaf –  but I double dog dare you to make this nonetheless. Basically, you’ll forget there’s no meat in it. Hell, you may even forget meat exists. You’ll eat thirds and fourths. Hell, you may even eat the whole loaf…but don’t do that, because: fiber.

Thai Vegan Meatloaf made with lentils and brown rice. Packed with vegetables and spiced to perfection! #glutenfree #dinner #recipe

Don’t let the huge list of ingredients scare you!

You likely already have most of the ingredients on-hand, and the recipe itself is not difficult to prepare – just a tad time-consuming. But like most things that require diligence and patience, the payoff is pretty fantastic.

Also, have you heard?

There’s an apricot glaze on this thing and it is fire! If you don’t have apricot preserves on hand, you can use fig preserves, marmalade, or even raspberry jam. Please don’t skip the glaze, whatever you do.

It’s like the hot fudge to your sundae. 

You have my permission to eat this with a side of bacon. Or broccoli. Whatever’s your jam.

Thai Vegan Meatloaf made with lentils and brown rice. Packed with vegetables and spiced to perfection! #glutenfree #dinner #recipe

Thai Lentil Vegan Meatloaf with Marmalade Glaze

Thai Lentil Vegan Meatloaf with Marmalade Glaze is LOADED with flavor for the most enticing meatless meatloaf ever!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
1 Meatloaf (6 thick slices)

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups cooked brown rice
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked green lentils
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar or liquid aminos or low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
  • ½ cup raw pecans, chopped
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 3 tablespoons ground flax seed
  • ½ cup + 1 Tbsp water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 ribs celery, finely chopped
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and grated
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, peeled and grated
  • 2 teaspoons yellow curry powder, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, optional
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt, to taste
  • 2 ounces baby spinach

For the Apricot Glaze:

  • 3 tablespoons apricot preserves
  • 1/3 cup ketchup

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a loaf pan.
  • Add the cooked brown rice, cooked lentils, tomato sauce, balsamic vinegar, flour, nutritional yeast, raw pecans, and dried cranberries to a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the ground flax seed with the water. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This mixture will thicken substantially and will have an egg-like consistency after it sits.
  • Meanwhile, in a large skillet, add the olive oil and heat to medium-high. Add the chopped onion and celery and saute, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent and celery has softened, about 8 minutes.
  • Add the grated carrot, chopped mushrooms, garlic, grated ginger, curry powder, cayenne, and sea salt. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Add the baby spinach and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Remove the sauteed vegetables from the heat and allow them to cool for 5 minutes.
  • Pour the flax “egg” mixture into the mixing bowl with the rice/lentil mixture and stir well. Also transfer the sauteed vegetables to the mixing bowl (Note: at this point, all of the ingredients for the “meatloaf” will be in the mixing bowl). Stir everything together until well-combined.
  • Transfer the “meatloaf” mixture to the prepared loaf pan and pat it down into an even layer. Place on the center rack of the oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until loaf has firmed up in the center and is golden-brown around the edges. Allow loaf to cool 20 minutes.
  • While “meatloaf” is cooling, whisk together the ketchup and apricot preserves for the glaze. Turn the loaf out onto a cutting board, then spread the glaze over the top. Cut thick slices and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 6 - Calories: 354kcal - Carbohydrates: 51g - Protein: 9g - Fat: 14g - Fiber: 10g - Sugar: 12g
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: gluten free, healthy, lentil meatloaf recipe, Thai lentil vegan meatloaf, vegan meatloaf recipe
Servings: 1 Meatloaf (6 thick slices)
Calories: 354kcal
Author: Julia
Recipe Rating




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Mirella

Monday 20th of January 2020

My daughter is mostly vegetarian so I made this with her in mind, but it was DELICIOUS and loved by our whole family. It was better than the usual traditional meatloaf I make. Putting this one in rotation instead. Thanks!

Julia

Wednesday 22nd of January 2020

Thank you, Mirella! I'm so happy to hear you and your family enjoy the "meatloaf!" xoxo

Stephanie

Wednesday 28th of March 2018

Hi Julia! Thank you for so many amazing recipes! (Including this one.) I've made this a few times now and love it so much that I offered to bring it to my husbands family Easter for the vegetarians in the family. Though, since I won't have time to make it immediately before the get-together I am wondering if you think it will be alright for me to make it the night before or the morning of and just put it in the fridge until it's time to put it int he oven? Let me know what you think!

Thanks again for the amazing recipes! Your website is my #1 for recipes lately. :)

Julia

Wednesday 28th of March 2018

Hi Stephanie!

Thanks so much for your sweet note! I think it would be just fine to prepare the recipe the night before and refrigerate until you're ready to bake it! I would only suggest taking it out of the refrigerator say 20 minutes ahead of time to let it come to room temp, if you're able to do so. If not, it will work either way :) Thanks again for the kind feedback, and I hope you all enjoy your Easter brunch!! xo

Marquitta

Sunday 21st of January 2018

Made this last night for dinner. It’s a lot of work but well worth the results. I made two alterations: regular flour instead of gluten free & regular pecans instead of raw. It turned out well & looked like the picture.

Julia

Monday 22nd of January 2018

I'm so happy to hear it, Marquitta! Thank you for letting me know! xo

Marquitta

Sunday 21st of January 2018

Where can I find the nutritional content for this meal? I would like to enter it in my food tracker, but there is not an option on this website....that I can see to obtain nutritional information, i.e. fat grams, protein, etc.

Claire Giumelli

Monday 26th of September 2016

Hello - I was wondering if this freezes well? Thanks

Karen Nesbitt

Sunday 19th of January 2020

Hi Claire, I make Lentil Loaf all the time and slice and freeze the leftovers. I just wrap each piece in saran and freeze and then take out what I want to eat. I thaw it and then bake it in a 400 degree oven on a cookie sheet or flat tray until heated through. It actually tastes better because it crisps up a bit and is not so mushy. The flavours are even more intense and delish!

Julia

Monday 26th of September 2016

Hi Claire,

Unfortunately, I've never tried freezing the "meatloaf" myself, so I'm not entirely sure...my guess is it would be just fine, since it's such a hearty loaf. I'd just wrap it really well in plastic wrap and put it in a zip lock bag. I'd also thaw it at room temperature or in the refrigerator, rather than thawing it in the microwave ;) Let me know how it works out!

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