bulking out meatloaf with lentils?

[MousyMouse]

can I just mix in a handfull of uncooked red lentils?
or how to go about it?

Lentils take ages to cook you might be better using some cooked rice or chopped mix nuts-nut loaf style.

or can I chop them up with the onion in the food processor?
I might just stick with breadcrumbs...

If you cook then first it might work but they can go kinda mushy and watery and continue to soak up all the moisture .

What about serving mini ones wrapped in bacon ?

Red lentils take about about 30 mins to cook. Follow the packet instructions as they may need to be boiled for 10 mins before cooking.

Other types of lentils take a longer time because they contain a toxin that has to be broken down in the cooking process. Hence they have to be soaked for 12 hours, boiled for 10 mins and then simmered for the required time.

I'd say stick with the breadcrumbs for now unless you have some tinned lentils or beans which make lovely binders for a meat loaf.

I posted the same question about six months ago. Yes, you can but you need to cook the lentils first. Cook them and when they are cold, mix in with the mince and then cook the meatloaf as normal. They give the meatloaf a smoother texture than normal.

thanks,
will try it next time!