Vegan Lentil Black Bean Burrito

Create the ultimate Mexican fiesta with this vegan lentil black bean burrito! This lentil black bean burrito recipe is drizzled in vegan cheese sauce and avocado lime cream sauce. Black bean burritos never tasted so good!

Since becoming plant-based, Mexican food is one of my favorite cuisines to transform into vegan delicacies. In fact, the best vegan lentil black bean burrito I have ever eaten, other than in my home, was in Newport Beach, California. Of course, I have tried to replicate the infamous California burrito many times to no avail. But, after many attempts, and I finally mastered the best vegan lentil black bean burrito recipe ever!

Jump to:

• Recipes Using Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce
• Burrito Ingredients
• Burrito Ingredient Substitutions
• How to Make the Ultimate Burrito
• Filling and Rolling Lentil Burritos
• Avocado Lime Sauce Ingredients
• Pico De Gallo Ingredients
• Recipe FAQs
• Tips
• Other Great Vegan Mexican Recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Reviews

Throughout my quest for the ultimate burrito, the key was simplicity. Although I mastered the filling, my problem was with the sauce and flavor combination.

Once I mastered the combination, the rest was a breeze. The sauce combination came together using my vegan nacho cheese sauce, avocado cilantro lime dressing, and simple Sriracha. 

Recipes Using Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce

Although I love savory food, I managed to maintain my health by not using any oil and making my cheese sauce from potatoes and carrots. Without a doubt, this is the best vegan nacho cheese sauce for a variety of recipes.

• Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup
• Tater Tot Nachos
• Vegan Breakfast Burrito
• Easy Cheesy No Oil Hash Brown Casserole
• Spinach Artichoke Dip

Burrito Ingredients

First, I used my favorite vegetable chopper to chop the vegetables using a small blade. It's a great time saver in the kitchen.

• Garlic: I prefer fresh garlic cloves whenever possible.
• White Onion: White onion sweetens beautifully when sauteed.
• Red Bell Pepper: Red bell pepper is sweet and vibrantly red in this burrito filling.
• Jalapeno: Add the jalapeno if you like it hot, or leave it out if you don't like spicy food.
• Cooked Brown or Green Lentils: I love Trader Joe's steamed brown lentils.
• Black Beans: I used canned organic black beans. Make sure you rinse them thoroughly before adding them to the filling.
• Vegan Chili Seasoning Packet: Instead of taco seasoning, I used Whole Foods Organic Chili Seasoning packet for a bold flavor.
• Organic Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: Fire-roasted tomatoes are canned tomatoes that are fire-roasted over an open flame to accentuate their flavor. They taste sweet and subtly smoky right out of the can instead of bitter and acidic like most standard canned tomatoes

Burrito Ingredient Substitutions

• One clove of garlic equals about ⅛th of a teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Use red onion or yellow onion instead of white onions.
• Choose green pepper as an alternative to red bell pepper.
• Serrano peppers are an alternative to jalapeno peppers and are a little less spicy.
• Try canned lentils instead of cooking lentils or using steamed ones.
• Pinto beans are an excellent substitute for black beans.
• Taco seasoning works as well with a more mild flavor.
• Diced fresh or canned tomatoes replace fire-roasted tomatoes in recipes.

How to Make the Ultimate Burrito

Once the vegetables are diced small, I saute them first BEFORE adding any of the other ingredients.

To make a hearty and tasty filling, the lentil burrito must be cooked in stages or steps to get thick and delicious. 

After the garlic, onions, and jalapenos are cooked, add the cooked lentils (or alternative meat of choice). Then add the tomatoes and chili seasoning. 

Next, add the black beans (pr pinto beans) and heat them together. As the moisture from the vegetable dissipates, the mixture will become thicker. Then, remove the heat. 

Although my Cuisinart Panini Maker is my favorite sandwich maker, you can also grill your burrito on the stovetop in a pan or an outdoor grill. The Lentil burrito is one of those purposes. A crunchy burrito is perfect for maintaining the burrito structure while assuring it doesn't get soggy. No one likes a soggy burrito.

Filling and Rolling Lentil Burritos

• Lay the burrito on a flat surface
• Place the filling in the middle.
• Then, tuck in the top and roll tightly, keeping the filling inside the tortilla.

Next, drizzle with some additional cheese sauce; it's made of veggies, after all. 

As I said, I prefer my Cuisinart Panini Maker, but a skillet works just as well. If using a  panini maker, preheat to medium heat, place the burritos directly on the grill surface and close the top. 

Depending on your choice of cooking methods, it takes approximately 10 minutes on each side. If you plan to use a skillet, heat to medium-low, and often check, as the stovetop method is quicker. 

Avocado Lime Sauce Ingredients

• Avocado: Avocado provides the creaminess to this delicious avocado lime sauce
• Cilantro: Cilantro has a unique fresh taste. For some, however, cilantro tastes like soap. If you are one of those people, swap this ingredient for basil or parsley.
• Lime Juice: I prefer fresh lime juice whenever possible.
• Water: Water thins the sauce so it is easily drizzled over the lentil black bean burrito.

Pico De Gallo Ingredients

• Grape Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes contain fewer seeds than other tomatoes. I find this helps keep the burrito from getting soggy.
• Red Onion: Red onion has a sharp but sweet flavor.
• Lime Juice: Again, fresh is always best.
• Cilantro: Cilantro provides a fresh green flavor. Or, replace it with basil or parsley if you don't like cilantro.
• Jalapeno: When working with jalapenos, always wear gloves and remove the seeds and the vein, which hold all the spiciness.

Since the presentation is important, I put the avocado dressing and the vegan cheese sauce into squeeze bottles to drizzle the sauces over the top of the cooked burritos.

Then, if you like it spicy, drizzle a little Sriracha sauce if you dare.

My husband LOVED this burrito. He said nothing during dinner because he ate diligently without a word. All I heard was, "Oh my God, this is good."

The way to convince a carnivore to eat healthily and ditch the meat is to feed him great vegan food! My former meat-eating husband is now a happy vegan.

Recipe FAQs

Tips

• Warming a tortilla helps it stretch to make folding easier.
• If you prefer a crunch wrap instead of a burrito, check out this vegan crunch wrap recipe.
• Add vegan sour cream for an added creamy bonus.
• When cooking the burrito in a pan or the panini press, start with the fold side down to seal the burrito shut.
• Do not add the drizzled vegan cheese sauce and avocado cilantro cream until right before serving.
• If you're looking for a great oil-free tortilla, I like this oil-free tortilla recipe.
• Warm the cheese sauce before adding it to the squeeze bottle.
• Try Mexican rice or Mexican chopped salad on the side.
• If you want to skip the tortilla, throw the ingredients in a bowl on top of your favorite greens.
• And remember the guacamole.

Enjoy this vegan lentil black bean burrito loaded with veggies and topped with vegan cheese sauce and avocado cilantro cream.

Other Great Vegan Mexican Recipes

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📖 Recipe