Meatless doesn’t mean unsatisfying. Poached Eggs & Lentil Hash is so hearty you won’t miss the meat I promise!
Lentils and eggs create a protein-packed meal for breakfast, brunch or dinner. Meatless and gluten-free too. You could even call this a lentil and egg stew.
Have you tried lentils for breakfast? What a great idea. Foolproof poached eggs are easier than you think. Keep reading for all the ways to poach an egg.
Most households try to incorporate healthy eating into the meal plan a few times a week (or more). Our house is no exception. However, boring food is not an option. It can be healthy, but it has to be tasty too.
We love incorporating meatless meals into our rotation. Quinoa stuffed peppers are a favourite around here. Sardine Pasta is another quick and easy recipe.
When comfort food season is here, this vegetable barley lentil soup is a hit in our house. Homemade soup is the best!
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for lentils and eggs are at the bottom of this post.
Eggs are a great way to pack in some protein. We always have hard-boiled eggs in the fridge for snacking. Ready to whip up some devilled eggs or an egg salad wrap.
Have you ever tried Pickled Eggs? By far the most popular post on my blog.
This Lentils With Eggs Recipe Needs:
In this poached egg recipe, I have combined cooked lentils and lots of veggies to create a hearty, delicious meal. If you are looking to cut down on meat, this is the perfect place to start.
- lentils (pre-cooked or canned)
- onion
- bell pepper
- fresh tomatoes
- mushrooms
- spinach
- oil
- Sriracha sauce
- All-purpose seasoning
- salt & pepper
- parsley
- eggs
If you do not want to cook dry lentils, no problem. Feel free to use canned lentils for this recipe.
Lentils are so versatile and budget-friendly too. We enjoy them in so many delicious ways.
Spicy Beluga Pasta Sauce is the perfect meatless sauce made with black beluga lentils. They are also known as caviar lentils. Less common than the traditional red, yellow and green lentils. They retain their shape when cooked, and remain on the firmer side.
Green lentils or puy lentils are another variety. This Puy Lentil Recipe is delicious over spaghetti squash. They work great in Green Lentil Cream Cheese Balls too. A fun and healthy appetizer.
Red lentils are the perfect meat substitute in this vegetarian tourtiere recipe.
In fact, marinated lentils are perfect with these varieties as well. Budget-friendly, versatile and easy to make. Meatless recipes with endless opportunities.
Making Poached Eggs and Lentil Hash
Parts of this recipe can be made ahead of time.
If you are using canned lentils, they are already cooked. If you are using dry lentils, you will have to cook them before adding them to the recipe. Check package directions. They can be prepared up to a few days ahead of time and kept in the fridge till ready to use.
Preparing The Hash
Complete instructions are in the recipe card.
- Pre-cook lentils (or use canned, be sure to rinse and drain).
- Dice up all the veggies and set them aside.
- Heat oil in a heavy skillet.
- Add onions and seasoning. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Add peppers, and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add mushrooms and tomatoes, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Add lentils and Sriracha, and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Add spinach and cook for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper.
- Top with poached eggs, garnish parsley and enjoy.
Easiest Way To Poach An Egg
Do you have a favourtie way of making poached eggs? I have tried all kinds of poached egg procedures.
- sous vide method
- egg poacher cups
- electric egg poacher
- poached eggs with cling film (see below)
- muffin tin poached eggs
- in a pot of water with/without vinegar (like I used)
- air fryer method
Since there are so many ways to make that perfect egg, I will let you decide on which method you prefer.
To make these easy poached eggs I used the simple method of a pot and simmering water. No vinegar, no swirling, no “secret” technique. These were the best poached eggs I have ever made.
- Get a pot of water to boiling
- Turn down the heat to just above a simmer.
- Gently drop each egg into the water (I like to break them into a small dish first).
- DO NOT swirl or touch the eggs.
- Simmer for about 3-4 minutes.
- Remove with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel-covered plate to drain.
If you prefer, I have also tried the Jamie Oliver cling film method:
- Place a piece of film over a cup and cover with cooking spray.
- Break the egg onto the film.
- Gather the edges, squeeze out the air, and twist to secure and tie into a knot.
- Repeat for ALL the eggs you wish to cook.
- Place the egg bundles into a pot of boiling water.
- Simmer the eggs until they reach your desired level of perfection.
- Remove from water and unwrap.
- Cold eggs will take longer to cook than room temperature eggs.
- The size of the egg will also determine the cooking time.
- Typically a large egg will cook in 4-5 minutes for a soft-firm texture.
Can you reheat a poached egg? Yes! They are best consumed immediately, but you can store them in the fridge and reheat them.
Simply remove from the fridge, and place in a pot of hot water to heat.
You can also reheat them in the oven. Carefully place eggs on a greased baking dish, covered with foil, and place in a moderate oven (300º F) for about 10 minutes. Worked like a charm.
Suggestions/Recipe Tips
Lentils – cook from scratch or use canned.
Vegetables – mix this up and use whatever you like. Kale is a great alternative to spinach.
Seasoning – don’t like spicy? Use any seasoning you wish. Greek, Italian, Mexican, they all work.
Storage – I would keep the cooked poached eggs separate from the hash. The hash part of this lentil recipe will certainly last 2-3 days in the fridge. I personally would not keep any extra poached eggs.
Be sure to CLICK THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON located in the TOP MENU.
More main dish egg recipes to try:
- Egg Muffin Baked Omelette
- Egg Tacos with Smoked Salmon
- Bacon and Egg Breakfast Biscuits
- Garlic Rice with Fried Egg
- Classic Eggs Benedict
- Spicy Tomato Egg Skillet
Poached Eggs and Lentils
Ingredients
- 3 cups lentils (pre-cooked or canned)
- ½ cup onion (diced)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (diced)
- 4 tomatoes (diced)
- 2 ounces mushrooms (sliced)
- 1 ½ cups baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons Sriracha sauce
- 1 teaspoon all purpose seasoning
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
- parsley (for garnish)
- 8 eggs (poached)
Instructions
- Pre-cook your lentils (this can be done a day or two in advance). If you are using canned lentils, be sure to drain and rinse throughly before using.
- Heat oil in heavy skillet.
- Add onions and all-purpose seasoning. Sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add peppers and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add mushrooms and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add lentils and sriracha, cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add spinach and cook for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Top with poached eggs. (Cooked however you like)
- Garnish with parsley.
Charbel
I am going to save this for later – it looks like something that I would definitely like to try 🙂
Chef G
We really like it around here.
Lory
I’ve never tried anything like this before. I need to cook some more interesting things!
Chef G
Hope you give it a try.
Liz Mays
Oh yum! I’m loving all of the veggies. This should definitely have enough protein to be a main course for us.
Chef G
Lots of protein in this for sure.
Bri
I am always looking for ways to switch up dinners throughout the week and this looks like a delicious option to try. I love that it so healthy.
Chef G
Yes healthy is great!!
Maryann Peik
Anything with kale or arugula and eggs, I am a fan! Love that combination. This looks fantastic and so healthful!
Chef G
Thanks…hope you give it a try!!
Melissa George
Yum! This looks delicious. We’re just learning to cook with lentils and I love the idea of combining them with egg!
Chef G
Well hope you give it a try.
kallee
This looks really yummy, plus I love that it is full of healthy ingredients
Chef G
Yes it sure is.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
This looks amazing!! We love poached eggs in our home and we love lentils so this is the perfect recipe. Thank you!
Chef G
We really like this recipe too.
Melanie
This looks like a yummy meal! My husband would like it for sure!
Chef G
Hope you give it a try.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
That is literally my idea of a perfect breakfast. Or brinner, which is when I will be making this for later this week.
Chef G
Works for both that’s for sure.
Lucy
I love poaching eggs in muffin cups, it’s such a great trick. This dish is perfect for meatless Monday. Can’t wait to try!
Chef G
Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs
I can safely say I’ve never tried lentil hash but I have no idea why. Our cupboards are always stocked with lentils! Great post :’)
Chef G
Thanks…hope you give it a try.
Hadia
I am always on the hunt of lentil recipes, and here is a nice recipe to try. I like too the way you poached the eggs in a muffin tin. Join our pinterest board if you like. Have a great week ahead.
Chef G
Thanks for the invite…and I hope you give it a try.
sue|theviewfromgreatisland
This is my favorite kind of busy day dinner, and it’s so healthy — I’m never without Sriracha sauce, either 🙂
Ashley @Irishred02
This looks tasty! Pinning this for later!
Chef G
Hope you give it a try!!