Breakfast Lentils with Fried Egg and Fresh Tomatoes

I often get into kicks where I’m really focused on tracking my protein intake throughout the day. Hitting those daily values can be challenging, especially if you’re like me and struggle to eat enough protein without resorting to the same old protein smoothies or shakes.

On chilly mornings, when I crave something warm and comforting (rather than a cold smoothie), I make a bowl full of canned lentils and top it with tomatoes and a fried egg. Sometimes, I’ll even add spinach like in my Lentil and Spinach Breakfast Bowl recipe. 

This recipe is a great way to enjoy a savory breakfast packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients. You can use red lentils, green lentils, black lentils, or even brown lentils. If you have some canned lentils on hand, you’re already halfway there!

For the best results, I recommend gently warming them in a skillet with some butter over medium heat. This method ensures tender lentils with rich, savory flavors with a slight crunch on the exterior of the lentil.

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How to Assemble This Healthy Breakfast Recipe

1. Drain and warm the lentils: Heat them in a skillet over medium heat until tender
2. Layer the lentils: Place the warmed lentils in a bowl as the base
3. Add fresh tomatoes: Dice freshly grown tomatoes from the garden and sprinkle them over the lentils
4. Top with a fried egg: Use eggs from backyard chickens for a rich, flavorful addition
5. Optional: Throw in some fresh spinach or a side of fruit for a well balanced meal!

During the summer months, I love making this breakfast because I simply walk out to my garden (that is primarily tomatoes 😂) and pick a couple of ripened tomatoes and grab the newly laid eggs from our backyard chickens. It’s truly a farm-to-table breakfast!!

I love making this meal because it provides a great balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, which helps to keep me feeling full and energized throughout the day!

I really love this dish because it truly is so versatile! While I usually make this first thing in the morning for a protein packed breakfast, I have made it for lunch and dinner when I’m scrambling for a quick and healthy meal for my family.

I like to store the leftover lentils in an airtight container in the refrigerator and just heat them up when I need a quick and easy meal. They reheat well on the stovetop with a splash of water or in the microwave for a fast protein-packed option. Properly stored, lentils can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Canned Lentils vs Dry Lentils

While the lentil beans are the same, there are some differences between canned lentils and dry lentils: convenience, cooking time, texture, and sodium content. I personally choose to use canned lentils most of the time simply because of convenience.

1. Convenience/Cooking Time
   • Canned Lentils: are cooked before they are canned. Simply drain and rinse the lentils to reduce sodium and use them in salads, soups, or other recipes. Canned lentils require less cooking time
   • Dry Lentils: the beans are dried and then bagged. Dry lentils require being soaked or boiled in water or broth until tender. Dry lentils require signifigantly more cooking time
2. Texture
   • Canned Lentils: tend to be softer and can be slightly mushy due to being pre-cooked and stored in liquid. Canned lentil work great for soups, stews, and purees
   • Dry Lentils: tend to have a firmer texture or slight crunch. Dry lentils work great in salads, side dishes, and grain bowls
3. Sodium Content
   • Canned Lentils: often times have sodium added to the liquid they are stored
   • Dry Lentils: are dry beans and have no sodium added, meaning you can completely control the amount of sodium added

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