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You are here: Home / Recipes / Red Lentil Meatless Tourtiere Pie

Red Lentil Meatless Tourtiere Pie

November 17, 2020 *Updated* November 23, 2021 / By: Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy 230 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qaulifying purchases. Disclosure Policy.

Red Lentil Tourtiere Pie is the perfect alternative to the traditional French Canadian meat pie recipe.

Swapping out meat with lentils is easy and delicious. This double-crusted vegetarian tourtiere pie is just as satisfying. A healthy version of the original with my take on spices and seasonings.

A slice of Red Lentil Tourtiere Pie on an ivory plate.
Red Lentil Pie

This was a post sponsored by Canadian LoveLentils campaign. They graciously compensated me, however all, opinions, recipes and photos are my own.

Christmas is quickly approaching and will be here before we know it. Have you started shopping yet? I just came back from Costco, and it is already INSANE out there.

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Things do get a little crazy this time of year, especially on the pocketbook. Lentils are budget-friendly. This meatless version is a fun twist on the classic Canadian tourtiere meat pie recipe.

RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for making this meatless tourtiere pie are at the bottom of this post.

Tourtiere ingredients, cooked lentils in a bowl, onions, potatoes and lentils in the background.

Did you know you can use lentils in delicious appetizers for all those holiday parties? Green Lentil Mini Cream Cheese Balls are party perfect and so easy to make.

We also love Smoked Salmon Potato Appetizers. Always a hit at the holiday parties.

If plant-based eating is up your alley, then marinated lentils are what you need. Versatile lasts for days and freezer friendly too. Add them to salads, soup, sandwiches, and more.

What’s In Lentil Tourtiere?

This easy vegetarian savoury pie is going against ALL rules, but so delicious. A Quebec meat pie without meat? How can that be? You will need:

  • double pie crust
  • cooked red lentils
  • mashed potatoes
  • onion
  • spice blend (see the recipe below)
  • avocado oil
  • salt & pepper

To make this a vegan tourtiere, be sure to use a vegan pie crust.

Have you ever used lentils in place of meat? It is the perfect alternative. Healthy nutrition is easy and delicious. Each 100 gram serving of red lentils includes 27 grams of protein, 18 grams of fiber, 1 gram of fat, and zero cholesterol, along with vitamins and minerals. For more info visit the Canadian Lentil website.

Speaking of great “meatless” alternatives, my Puy Lentil Recipe and Spicy Beluga Pasta Sauce are GREAT.

How about Vegan Mushroom Pate. A great holiday appetizer that is vegetarian and gluten-free too.

Traditional Christmas Dinners

Everyone has their favourite foods to serve during the holidays. Family recipes of all kinds make an appearance during this festive time of year. Cranberry sauces, stuffing, baking and treats galore. Christmas would not be the same without tradition.

All the baking, treats, and Rum & Eggnog Lattes are always enjoyed, but our traditional Christmas Morning Sandwiches are the most anticipated meal of the season. In fact one year I was going to make something else, and my kids said Christmas morning is not happening unless they get these for breakfast.

Lentil pie right out of the oven.

Don’t forget to save that holiday ham bone and cook up a huge pot of pea soup. The perfect way to warm up from the cold. 

I come from a Ukrainian background. Christmas Eve (which falls in January) was always the traditional “no meat” dinner that consisted of all the Ukrainian classics. Borscht was a MUST on the menu. Canadian butter tarts made an appearance for dessert. 

Preparing A Vegetarian Tourtiere Pie

Here is what you do:

  1. Rinse lentils and cook until the desired doneness (be sure not to salt them till after they are cooked).
  2. Cook and mash the potatoes.
  3. Chop and cook the onion.
  4. Mix the cooked lentils, cooked onion, mashed potatoes, and seasonings.
  5. Place mixture into the pie shell, add the top crust and bake.

Recipe Tips:

  • For the crust, feel free to use homemade. If you are pressed for time or do not like making pie dough, a store-bought double crust is perfectly fine. That is what I used in this recipe.
  • To make the cute little cutouts, I used *(affiliate) mini cookie cutters. 
  • *(affiliate) Red lentils work best for this recipe. The texture most resembles the meat found in the traditional recipe.

I also LOVE this *(affiliate link) silicone pie plate. Makes for easy serving.

Lentils in the bottom pie shell, spices in the background.

My greatest compliment from a reader last year from QUEBEC who happens to be a vegetarian. She served this red lentil meatless tourtiere to her family and THEY LOVED IT! 

Here is what Rosy had to say:

I’m a vegetarian from Montréal, Québec, and I used your recipe for tourtière as part of our New Year’s Eve “Réveillon”. (ask your husband) spread. Tourtière is a traditional dish here, so it’s a tough crowd to please but everyone loved it, including non vegetarians, and it was so easy to make. We served it with traditional accompaniments like Green Tomato Chow Chow and pickled onions and beets. Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe, and I wish you all the best for the new year.

Star cutouts in the pie crust.

Savoury Turkey Veronique Rustic Meat Pie has a really simple homemade crust. This is another French meat pie that incorporates ground turkey, white wine and grapes. A great idea for the holiday brunch menu.

French Canadian Tourtiere History

My husband grew up in Quebec during his early years. Tourtiere is a classic French Canadian meat pie. It is referred to as Christmas eve tourtiere.

I had never heard of it until he introduced me to it. If you have never had it, I will tell you it is truly delicious.

Just like other cultures, tourtiere just as many secret family recipes as Ukrainians have pierogies and cabbage rolls. There is some interesting history on this classic dish.

Did you know:

  • There are LOTS of secret family recipes for tourtiere in Quebec (and they don’t like to share their secrets).
  • The SPICE BLEND is the key (hence the secret). It consists of cinnamon, cloves, allspice and nutmeg.
  • Usually made with meat (pork, beef and veal).
  • Baked in a flaky double crust.
  • It can be made with salmon or trout.
  • Traditionally served on Christmas Eve at Réveillon (a late-night feast after midnight mass).
A slice of red lentil pie on a plate.

What to serve with tourtiere?

Since this is a very hearty dish, you really only need a few simple sides. Here are a few suggestions:

  • a variety of pickles like pickled beets, dill pickles, pickled onions or zucchini pickles
  • homemade ketchup is a great side for this recipe
  • a simple holiday slaw is an excellent choice as well
  • maple bourbon cranberry sauce is always a holiday hit.

Can you prepare the filling ahead of time?

Yes absolutely, especially cooking the lentils. You can have them ready in the fridge a few days ahead of time. Mix them in with the potatoes before adding them to the pie crust.

Can you freeze leftovers?

Yes you sure can. In fact, I like to make a couple of these meat pies at a time and bring one out for New Years’ Eve dinner.

Why not start a new tradition in your house with this Red Lentil Meatless Tourtiere Pie. Replacing meat lentils is easy, delicious, and healthy!! Happy Holidays from our house to yours.

A fork in a slice of vegan tourtiere.

Need some holiday treat ideas? Here are a few.

  •  Holiday White Chocolate Mini Popcorn Balls 
  • Quick & Easy Festive Holiday Croissants 
  • Boozy Bourbon Chocolate Fudge

Be sure to CLICK THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON located in the TOP MENU. You will get a FREE PRINTABLE and recipes! FOLLOW ME on social media too.

Lentil Tourtiere Pie Pin Image
Red Lentil Meatless Mock Tourtiere Pie is the perfect alternative to the traditional French Canadian classic using lentils instead of meat.| homemadeandyummy.com #LoveLentils #Sponsored

Red Lentil Tourtiere Pie

A classic twist of the French Canadian tourtiere. Red lentils are the base for this meatless version of a meat pie. Perfect for the holidays.
5 from 67 votes
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Course: Main Dish, Seasonal/Holiday
Cuisine: French Canadian
Keyword: Gluten Free Meatless, lentil recipe
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 330kcal
Author: Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

Ingredients

  • 2 pie crusts (I used frozen double crust/thawed
  • 4 cups cooked red lentils
  • 1 cup mashed potatoes
  • ½ cup chopped onion (cooked)
  • ½ teaspoons cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoons nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoons ground cloves
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoons olive oil (to cook the onions)
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Turn oven to 375º F.
  • Rinse and cook lentils according to package directions (I used 1 cup dry to 3 cups water) ***salt after cooking***.
  • Drain in metal sieve, and mash slightly. Set aside.
  • Cut, cook and mash potato. Set aside.
  • Cook chopped onion in about 1 tbsp. of oil until translucent. Set aside.
  • Combine lentils, potato, onions and seasonings in a bowl.
  • Place mixture into the bottom pie shell.
  • Cut some slits (or pretty cutouts in the top crust).
  • Wet the edges of the bottom crust with water, place on top crust and press to seal.
  • Bake in oven for approximately 50-60 minutes, until crust is golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and cool slightly before slicing.
  • ENJOY!!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 183mg | Potassium: 470mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 8.2mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 4.2mg

Notes

Feel free to use your favourite pie crust for this recipe. I used a frozen crust to save a bit of time and work during this busy season.
For a VEGAN option of this recipe, use a vegan pie crust.
Tourtiere can be frozen once cooked. It reheats nicely and makes great leftovers too.
Tried this recipe?Take a picture and tag @homemadeandyummy
Nutritional information on this site is generated via a plugin. I am not responsible for the accuracy of the plugin information.
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MEET THE AUTHOR

Gloria Duggan is the author for Homemade & Yummy, where she creates fun and easy recipes. She is also a brand ambassador/influencer for well-known companies. Gloria has judged food competitions and has posted about local food events. Gloria's work has been featured in magazines, and she has been interviewed on several podcasts. Read More…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Donna

    January 02, 2021 at 11:55 pm

    In the blog you mention allspice but I don’t see it in the recipe?

    Reply
    • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

      January 03, 2021 at 10:30 am

      I think you are looking at the section in the post talking about the history of the tourtiere. The spice BLEND is the key, and there are numerous combinations. I did not use allspice in my blend, but please feel free to add some. It is very strong, so go lightly.

  2. Natalie

    November 30, 2020 at 6:16 am

    What a lovely idea to use red lentil. I usually cook it in stews and soups but this is a really great dinner option that my family would like. I saved this and will give it a try. Looks delicious.

    Reply
    • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

      December 01, 2020 at 2:47 pm

      I hope your family enjoys this as much as we do.

  3. Jessica Knott

    November 29, 2020 at 9:30 pm

    We just remodeled our kitchen and I went through the pantry to clean it out and use up all the food before the end of the year. I have a bag of lentils I need to use up asap and don’t want to make lentil soup so this is the perfect meatless recipe to make.

    Reply
    • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

      December 01, 2020 at 2:48 pm

      The perfect recipe for that bag of lentils. ENJOY!

  4. Beth

    November 29, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    The timing and ingredients for this delicious pie are perfect, as just yesterday I cooked up a batch of lentils thinking to make something with potatoes. Wow! I can’t wait to try these seasonings.

    Reply
    • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

      December 01, 2020 at 2:48 pm

      Enjoy, this is a hearty and delicious recipe.

  5. Ramona

    November 29, 2020 at 4:53 pm

    I love any recipe that included lentils and this pie is it! I love how you made it gluten-free and meatless. This would be perfect for me and my family to try. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

      December 01, 2020 at 2:48 pm

      You are welcome. ENJOY and happy holidays.

  6. Laura Arteaga

    November 29, 2020 at 4:27 pm

    As a vegetarian family, we love finding recipes like this! We love red lentils and use them often when cooking, but never thought about making a Pie with them, such a great idea! Already kept the recipe to try soon!

    Reply
    • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

      December 01, 2020 at 2:49 pm

      ENJOY I am sure you will love how this turns out.

  7. Erin

    November 29, 2020 at 3:09 pm

    How neat! I’d never heard of a lentil pie before. It looks very impressive. And that’s crazy that Costco is already so busy! Ugh.

    Reply
    • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

      December 01, 2020 at 2:49 pm

      HAHAHA….yup I will not be visiting Costco until the New Year!!

  8. Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    November 28, 2020 at 10:41 pm

    My mouth is watering. I have to make this Red Lentil Meatless Tourtiere Pie for the holidays!

    Reply
    • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

      November 29, 2020 at 9:43 am

      I think you will love the results….I know we do.

  9. veenaazmanov

    November 27, 2020 at 9:36 pm

    This Pie is surely a treat to my vegan friends. Flavorful spices and full of health and nutrition. Thanks for such a lovely dish.

    Reply
    • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

      November 29, 2020 at 9:44 am

      Yes is sure fits the bill for all the vegans and everyone else too.

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