Each bite of this vegan sage and onion meatloaf prepared with delicious savoury green lentils, oatmeal and chickpeas is pure Christmas dinner, festive season and yumminess all wrapped up and served on a plate. So yummy.
Perfect for enjoying as a main along with a Festive, Thanksgiving, Harvest, Easter, Mother's and Father's Day, or any special Holiday meal.
Or enjoy this veggie meatloaf as an everyday budget-friendly wholesome delicious treat.
Leftover meatloaf is amazing chilled, thin sliced, and enjoyed with crunchy salad, sweet cranberry or apple sauce within a tasty sandwich. So good.
This recipe makes 2 meatloaf's, each loaf weighing in at around 640g and combined can provide 16 thick slices or 40 thinner pieces. So you'll have plenty to last the festive season.
Quick Origins Of Meatloaf
Meatloaf goes all the way back to Roman times where a recipe features in the ancient 1st century cookery text Apicius. This meatloaf consisted of a mix of ground meats, breadcrumbs, and wine mixed together and formed into burger-like shapes.
Meatloaf was also popular during Medieval Europe where it was variously prepared with meat, eggs, vegetables, mushrooms, dried fruits, nuts, spices and herbs.
During the Great Depression of the 1930s and the Second World War era of the 1940s meatloaf was revived as mostly anything could be added to a meatloaf especially inexpensive ingredients such as breadcrumbs, cracker crumbs, grains, pulses, and cereals.
Nowadays meatloaf is a popular meal especially in the US and is served as an everyday dish, but more so during Thanksgiving, festive meals, or other special Holidays and get-together's.
Vegan Green Lentil, Oatmeal And Chickpea Meatloaf
Preparing this incredibly moist and tasty vegan meatloaf is easy and simple.
The main ingredients are green lentils, pinhead oatmeal, chickpeas, sunflower seeds, and fresh onion. With the flavourings of sage, bay leaf, dried mixed herbs, garlic and onion powder mixing together to create the tastiest vegan meatloaf.
First the green lentils are cooked along with vegan stock, onion and a bay leaf. Once the lentils are soft the lentils including any leftover cooking liquid is mixed with the rest of the meatloaf ingredients.
The chickpeas are mashed a little but not too much as some whole ones are perfect for providing delicious texture.
Before stirring into the meatloaf mix the flax meal (ground flax seeds) is stirred with some water and allowed to sit for at least 10-15 minutes to become thick and gluey.
The flax meal and water acts as an egg replacer and helps to bind the veggie meatloaf ingredients together without affecting any of the flavour, instead the flax-egg adds lots of wholesome nutrition.
Once the ingredients are mixed well it is shared between 2 x Ib loaf pans. The meatloaf is packed in and smoothed down. A top layer of sauce is optional, but tasty, and for convenience a ready-made sauce can be used such as cranberry sauce, apple sauce, tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, etc. Spread your chosen sauce over one or both of the meatloaf's.
I highly recommend cranberry sauce as paired up with the sage and onion flavours of the veggie meatloaf, the end result is all the best flavours of Christmas in one bite. So good.
Now the meatloaf's are covered with greaseproof/baking paper before being baked for 55-60 minutes. The veggie meatloaf's are removed from the oven and left to sit for 5 minutes. Now they are good to go!
When the vegan green lentil meatloaf's are hot from the oven they can be sliced into thick portions. If you would like thin slices of meatloaf for sandwiches, crackers, snack, etc., then cool then meatloaf and chill over night.
Once chilled each meatloaf can be easily sliced into on average 20 thin slices which are just delicious, moist, so flavourful vegan deli-slices. Served hot from the oven each meatloaf can be sliced into 8 thick pieces.
Do give this recipe a go as I know you won't be disappointed and it does yield so many tasty slices of the best veggie meatloaf. Also if your not a fan of sage and onion do change the flavours to your favourite combo.
Vegan Meatloaf With Green Lentils, Oatmeal And Chickpeas Recipe Notes And FAQS
Leftover vegan meatloaf can be stored, wrapped well, within the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
Wrap in parchment paper and a second layer of kitchen foil, and keep on a plate or within a covered container.
Absolutely.
Freeze the vegan meatloaf after baking and cooling completely. Freeze well wrapped and it will keep well for 4-6 months. Remove the wrappings before defrosting in the fridge.
Anything you would normally serve with a veggie Thanksgiving meal, Christmas dinner or a special Holiday meal.
Leftover vegan meatloaf makes the best veggie sandwiches. See below for more info and photos.
A few suggestions:
* green bean casserole
* sweet potato casserole
* vegetables au gratin
* vegetable hotpot
* easy cheesy pasta
* vegan cauliflower cheese
* traditional champ
* mashed root vegetables
* cornbread
* American biscuits
* quick dinner rolls
* roast veggie mix
* steamed veggies
* large crispy green salad
* potato wedges/chips/fries/roast potatoes
* celeriac chips/fries or mashed
* baked potatoes
* hassle back potatoes
* corn-on-the-cob
* peas and corn
* rice
* noodles
* quinoa
* baked beans
* spaghetti hoops
* vegan gravy
* bread sauce
* vegan cheese sauce
* cranberry sauce/apple sauce/redcurrant jelly
* vegan Yorkshire puddings
A thick slice of this vegan green lentil meatloaf works out on average at 149 calories a portion. Also 1 gram of fat, 7g of fibre and 8g of protein.
This calculation is based on each vegan meatloaf providing 8 slices, so in total this recipe provides 16 thick slices.
Chilling the veggie meatloaf and slicing thinner slices reduces the calories for each portion.
* Leftover vegan meatloaf can be enjoyed reheated along with any veggie accompaniments, potatoes, grains and sauces, etc.
* a slice straight from the fridge is a tasty, wholesome snack whenever anyone is feeling peckish
* serve slices of vegan meatloaf as part of a charcuterie or cracker and vegan cheese board/display
* chop pieces into small chunks and add to a pizza before cooking
* add chopped pieces and toss with a tasty salad, or enjoy thin slices as part of a salad/power/Buddha bowl
* served chilled on a sandwich which is a particularly tasty way to enjoy leftover vegan meatloaf.
Serving suggestion which we enjoy for lunch at our home:
Crusty bread, slices of cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, crispy little gem lettuce, apple sauce, cranberry sauce and sliced chilled vegan meatloaf. All make for a delicious sandwich. Add vegan mayonnaise, mustard, siracha, your favourite sauces and fillings, etc.
Please note: To achieve large thin slices, half the whole chilled meatloaf into 2 pieces, and turn the meatloaf on its side and slice down the bottom part of the meatloaf. I used a bread knife which I found very effective.
How To Prepare Vegan Sage And Onion Meatloaf With Green Lentils, Oatmeal And Chickpeas
A sauce topping is optional but very tasty especially when cranberry sauce is spread over the vegan meatloaf. Without the sauce the vegan meatloaf is still incredibly moist and delicious.
Bring to the boil and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the lentils are soft.
Add the rest of the ingredients.
Pack the mix into 2 x 1 Ib loaf pans, lined with greaseproof paper.
Allow an overlap of the paper when lining.
Pull up the greaseproof paper overlap and use to cover the meatloaf's completely.
Sit in the pans for 5 minutes before carefully removing.
Slice into nice thick pieces to enjoy with veggie gravy, mashed potatoes and tasty veg sides.
Or cool for neater, thinner slices that are perfect for tasty sandwiches.
More Vegan Recipes To Enjoy During The Holiday Season...
Vegan slow cooker 'beef' stew and fluffy dumplings
Cream of swede soup with crispy croutons
Traditional Scottish leek and potato soup with toasted oats
3 ingredient Christmas cake [not just for Christmas! Can be enjoyed anytime of the year including using the cake as a basis for an Easter Simnel Cake]
Easy quick Christmas pudding [delicious steamed pudding prepared quickly in a microwave and perfect for any time of the year when a comforting pudding is just the ticket]
Traditional Scottish Border Tart (perfect sweet mince-pie alternative)
Recipe
Vegan Sage And Onion Meatloaf (Green Lentils, Oatmeal And Chickpeas)
Equipment
- 2 x 1 Ib Loaf/Bread Pans, lined with greaseproof/baking parchment
- Saucepan, for cooking lentils
- Mixing bowl
- Potato masher or fork
Ingredients
To pre cook the lentils:
- 225 grams dried green lentils rinsed
- 140 grams onion 1 medium, chopped
- 800 millilitres vegan stock hot, use a vegan beef stock if available
- 1 bay leaf
To mix through the cooked lentil mix:
- 225 grams pinhead oatmeal steel-cut/Irish oatmeal, or if necessary replace with rolled oats (not jumbo oat flakes)
- 50 grams sunflower seeds
- 1 can chickpeas 400g/15 oz can drained, or 240g cooked chickpeas
- 1 tablespoon dried sage
- 1 tablespoon dried mixed herbs or Italian dried herb mix
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
Flax-meal egg:
- 2 tablespoons flax meal ground flax seeds, often termed milled linseed. Mixed with 6 tablespoons of water.
Spread over each finished meatloaf: (optional as meatloaf can be baked without sauce)
- 4 tablespoons cranberry sauce or apple sauce, red currant jelly/relish, tomato sauce/ketchup, barbecue sauce, etc. Either home-made or shop-bought. 4 tablespoon is enough for 1 meatloaf.
Instructions
Prepare the lentil mix:
- Add the green lentils, bay leaf, onion and hot vegan stock to a saucepan. Bring to the boil and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the lentils are soft.
Prepare the flax-egg:
- Mix the 2 tablespoon of flax-meal with 6 tablespoon of water. Set aside for at least 10-15 minutes to become thick and gloopy.
Line the loaf pans and preheat the oven:
- Grease the loaf pans with a little vegan margarine or oil. Line with parchment paper but use more paper than required as the overlap will be folded over the meatloaf before cooking.
- Preheat the oven to 180 Fan/ 200 Celsius/ 392 Fahrenheit/ Gas 6.
Assemble the veggie meatloaf's:
- Add the cooked lentils to a large mixing bowl. Discard the bay leaf.
- Mix in the rest of the ingredients, including the flax-egg. Add 1 ½ teaspoons of salt and a good grinding of black pepper. Mix everything well to combine all the flavours. Use a potato masher or fork to break up some, but not all, of the chickpeas into the mix.
- Taste the seasoning and add more salt and pepper to taste.
- Divide the mix between the 2 loaf pans, smooth the top down firmly and evenly.If adding a sauce to the top, spread this over now.Pull up the overlap of parchment paper and cover the top of the meatloaf's.
Bake:
- Place on the middle shelf of the oven, and bake for 55-60 minutes. For a fan oven the meatloaf will be baked after 55 minutes, other types of oven may need the extra 5 minutes.
- Allow to cool in the loaf pan for a few minutes before carefully tipping out. Or leave in the tin to cool if chilling the meatloaf's.
Notes
- Nutritional information is provided for guidance only and is not a strict calculation as ingredients vary.
- Nutritional data does not include the cranberry sauce topping as this is optional, and any topping chosen can be more easily analysed by the cook for better accuracy.
- This meatloaf recipe yields 2 vegan meatloaf's weighing on average 640 grams each, minus any sauce toppings.
- Each meatloaf can provide 8 thick slices, and about 18-20 thinner slices. However for serving sizes it will depend on appetites, etc.
- For the thinner slices chill completely overnight before attempting to slice, so that the meatloaf can firm up.
- Leftover vegan meatloaf will keep in the fridge for up to 4-5 days if well wrapped in kitchen parchment paper, and then a second layer of kitchen foil or wrap in parchment and place in a covered container.
- Freeze cooked meatloaf for 4-6 months, well wrapped. Unwrap and defrost in the fridge.
- To reheat vegan meatloaf, place on a baking dish covered with parchment or kitchen foil, and heat at the cooking temperature until piping hot. Or place in a frying pan/skillet and heat through along with a tablespoon of vegan butter or oil. Flip over to heat each side.
- Enjoy the vegan meatloaf chilled straight from the fridge. A thin slice is a delicious, wholesome snack whenever anyone is peckish, or enjoy on a sandwich. Especially delicious as a festive sandwich along with cranberry/apple sauce, salad or cooked leftover veggies, etc.
Nutrition
Prepared this delicious vegan meatloaf recipe?
Do let us know how you got on and pop a comment below.
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All the best
Jacq x
Deborah Shields
This looks like a really nice recipe! Do you cook the steel cut oats before you add them to the mixture? Or is there enough liquid in this recipe that they can go in raw and absorb enough liquid as to not be hard to chew?
Jacq
Hi Deborah, Thanks! Yes the pinhead oatmeal/steel-cut oats are fine going straight into the meatloaf with no additional cooking, the result is a nice moist meatloaf 🙂