Delicious and Easy Sweet and Sour Lentil Balls ( Vegan Meatballs)

Going meatless may not be easy at first but if you want to try it’s very rewarding because you eat better and become healthier. These delicious and easy sweet and sour lentil balls or Vegan Meatballs are a great alternative to your regular meatballs.

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I was craving for some meatballs recipe and I knew I had to make something from scratch and since I had lentil burger recipes before  I decided to use it and instead of making patties I just use my ice cream scooper and turn it into balls.

WHY YOU NEED TO TRY THIS

These lentil balls are a perfect alternative to start your journey with meatless eating or meatless Mondays. You can use green or red lentils to make these vegan balls. For more lentil recipes check these recipes and also learn the benefits of lentils:

• CRISPY AND SPICY GREEN LENTIL BURGER RECIPE
• RED LENTIL BURGER PATTIES

The sauce has the perfect balance of sweet and sour taste with added pineapples, pineapple juice, carrots, and bell pepper. For the spices in the lentil balls aside from pepper, it has cardamom and cloves too.

WHAT YOU NEED

Food processor – though optional it will give you the convenience of mixing all the ingredients needed and combine them all before turning into balls. Just make sure you don’t over pulse or the lentils will be mushy.

Skillet Iron – this is where you will cook the lentil balls and the sweet and sour sauce.

Pot – for boiling the lentils

Chopping board, knife, grater, peeler – the essentials you will need to cut, peel and slice all the other ingredients.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Corn Flour – I use this instead of all-purpose flour. It will keep your lentils and carrots dry and free from moisture and also it is gluten-free.

Bread Crumbs – helps in holding the lentil balls and gives you extra crispiness.

Gluten-free Soy sauce – opted for this as it is less salty compared to regular soy sauce and also a good alternative if you have gluten restrictions.

Flax Egg – holds all the mixtures together and acts as an egg replacer.

Lentils – you can use the lentils of your choice, cooking will only vary depending on the lentils you will use.

IS CHILLING IMPORTANT

Chilling the lentil balls is necessary to ensure they will hold and keep before frying. I suggest keeping it in the fridge or chiller section of the refrigerator and cooking right away when needed. Keeping in the freezer will just build moisture and you may have to thaw first before cooking.

The best thing about these easy sweet and sour lentil balls is that you can make them in advance and keep them in the fridge. You can also add them as toppings to your spaghetti.

EASY SWEET AND SOUR LENTIL BALLS

INGREDIENTS

LENTIL BALLS

• ¾ cup green lentils
• ½ carrot
• ½ onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp gluten-free soy sauce
• ½ cup cornflour
• ½ cup bread crumbs
• 2 flax egg
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• Pinch of cloves and cardamom

SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE

• 1 tablespoon gluten-free soy sauce
• 2 tablespoon rice vinegar ( OR lemon juice, white vinegar, apple cider)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoon granulated sugar or maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup

OTHER INGREDIENTS

• 1 red bell pepper
• 2 tablespoon pineapple juice
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1/2 onion
• 1/2 carrot
• 250g pineapple chunks
• pinch of pepper
• 2-3 tablespoon cooking oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Wash lentils to remove unwanted small parts and dirts. 
2. Soak for a minimum of 30 minutes before boiling.
3. Boil 3/4 cup of green lentils with 3-4 cups of water for about 20 minutes or until soft. 
4. While waiting for lentils to get done prepare the other ingredients.
5. Prepare flax egg. Mix two tablespoons of flaxseed with 6  tablespoons of cold water. Mix and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
6. Peel and chop onion, garlic and carrot and set aside.
7. Once the lentils are soft and cooked. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor.
8. Pulse the carrots first then add the onion, garlic and lentils until you reach the decided texture.
9. Add soy sauce, spices ( I use cardamom, cloves and pepper).
10. Add flax egg, corn flour and bread crumbs and mix well until everything is combined.
11. Shape into balls with your hands or an ice cream scooper.
12. **You can also grate the carrots, stir fry onion and garlic, add carrots then lentils. Mix everything, add the spices, flax egg, corn flour and breadcrumbs.
13. Let it cool for a while before shaping into balls.
14. Chill the lentil balls first before frying for about 30 minutes.
15. While waiting for the lentil balls, prepare the sweet and sour sauce mixture and other ingredients.
16. In a small bowl add soy sauce, rice vinegar, salt, maple syrup and tomato ketchup and mix. Set aside.
17. Once the lentil balls are ready,  swirl cooking oil in the skillet and fry for 2-3 minutes ensuring all sides are cooked and set aside.
18. Prepare vegetables cut into diced red bell pepper and carrot. Chop garlic and onion.
19. Prepare pineapple chunks and set aside 2 tbsp of the liquid. And set aside.
20. Using the same skillet, add garlic and onion fry until they get slightly brown.
21. Add carrots and red bell pepper.
22. Pour sweet and sour sauce mix well and let it simmer for a few minutes.
23. Add pineapple chunks and juice and mix.
24. Mix carefully, avoiding crushing the pineapple chunks. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to absorb all the flavors.
25. Add a pinch of pepper and chili flakes.
26. You can now add the lentil balls and give a mix to ensure it is coated with the sauce.
27. Serve while it’s hot.

RECIPE NOTES

• These lentil balls can be prepared in advance and kept in the fridge.
• Aside from this sweet and sour you can also add it in your spaghetti recipe.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• You can double the amount of the sweet and sour sauce if you want it more savory.
• You can add more spices if you prefer, I didnt add extra salt in the sweet and sour sauce but feel free to add.
• Adjust the taste according to your preference.

NUTRITION DETAILS

This easy sweet and sour lentil balls recipe can make up to 14 delicious and healthy meatless meatballs and can yield up to 4 servings.

Each serving has 402 calories:Total Fat 8.9g | Saturated Fat 1.3g | Cholesterol 0mg | Sodium 595mg | Total Carbohydrate 68.1g | Dietary Fiber 15.1g | Total Sugars 18.9g | Protein 14gg | Vitamin D 0mcg | Calcium 87mg | Iron 4mg | Potassium 699mg

Nutrition calculation is based on using an online calculator (verywellfit) and for reference use only. 

MORE RECIPES TO TRY

• SWEET AND SOUR PINEAPPLE TOFU
• VEGAN ARROZ ALA CUBANA
• VEGETABLE SPRING ROLLS
• CRISPY TOFU LETTUCE WRAPS

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