I am constantly playing with ways to transform simple plant based protein options such as beans, lentil, and tofu into slightly more exciting dishes. I love these items because they are high in protein, high in fiber and very inexpensive… but lets be honest, they can be a bit boring.

So, I bring to you Vegan BBQ meatballs. This recipe is simple, uses whole food, nutritious ingredients and most importantly is sooo satisfying. These Lentil meatballs could be served on their own with a toothpick for fun appetizer, as sliders at a BBQ, or with rice and veggies for a hearty meal, the opportunities are endless. 

Vegan BBQ Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 1/2 medium onion, chopped (about 1.5 cups chopped)
• 1 cup chopped mushrooms 
• 2 cloves chopped garlic
• 1.5 cup cooked lentils
• 1 flax egg (mix 1 tbsp ground flax + 2 tbsp warm water, let sit 10 min to thicken)
• 1/2 cup quick cook oats
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper.
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
• BBQ sauce 

Vegan BBQ Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 1/2 medium onion, chopped (about 1.5 cups chopped)
• 1 cup chopped mushrooms 
• 2 cloves chopped garlic
• 1.5 cup cooked lentils
• 1 flax egg (mix 1 tbsp ground flax + 2 tbsp warm water, let sit 10 min to thicken)
• 1/2 cup quick cook oats
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper.
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
• BBQ sauce 

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Sautée the chopped onion over medium heat in 1 tbsp olive oil for 3-4 min until translucent. Add the chopped mushrooms and garlic let cook for 3-4 more minutes. Season well with salt and pepper. 
3. Remove the onion and mushroom mixture from the heat and let cook for 5 minutes. 
4. Add all ingredients except the BBQ sauce into a food processor or blender and pulse until the mixture has come together. You want the mixture to hold together tightly but still have some chunks and texture. 
5. Spoon the mixture into the bowl and mix well to ensure everything is well combined. 
6. Roll the mixture into 8 golfball sized meatballs. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the oven, flip and brush with a generous amount of BBQ sauce and let cook for an additional 10 minutes. 
7. Remove the meatballs from the oven and coat with more BBQ sauce to your liking. Enjoy!

Tips:

• If you don’t have quick cook oats use rolled oats and add an extra tablespoon! 
• Try using different flavor combos with this recipe! Sub out the soy sauce, paprika and liquid smoke for pesto and Italian seasoning then coat with marinara for an Italian version. 
• Create sliders out of the meatballs by serving them on hawaiian rolls with coleslaw. 
• These meatballs can also be pan seared for 2-3 minutes on each side over medium-high heat if you don’t have access to an oven! 
• These make great meal prep so make some extras and store them in your fridge in an airtight container!