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    Home » Gluten Free Recipes

    Creamy Gochujang Chickpeas and Lentils

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    chickpea and lentil dish in a bowl.

    This Creamy Gochujang Chickpeas and Lentils with Poblano Pepper dish is a quick, protein-packed meal that brings a bold mix of spicy-sweet and smoky flavors to the table. Its fast prep and hearty, creamy goodness make it a recipe you'll want to turn to again and again.

    Bowl of gochujang chickpeas in sauce.

    If you're looking for a cookbook with recipes high in plant protein, full-flavored, and easy to make, Vegan Wholesome by Brandi Doming, the creative mind behind The Vegan 8 blog, is worth checking out.

    It's coming out on April 15, 2025, but if you pre-order, you will receive 10 FREE exclusive recipes. Just email Brandi a screenshot of your purchase at thevegan8@yahoo.com, on Instagram @thevegan8brandi, or Facebook @thevegan8.

    I've been lucky enough to try it out early, and I'm hooked-a few dishes are already a hit with my family, including this Creamy Gochujang Chickpeas and Lentils recipe, and I'm excited to dig into more of these protein-packed creations.

    vegan wholesome cookbook cover photo.

    Inside Vegan Wholesome, you'll discover 100 full-flavored, plant-protein-packed recipes that prove that vegan eating can be simple, satisfying, and nourishing.

    The book is beautifully organized into nine mouthwatering chapters: First Power Meals of the Day, Impressive Sides and Appetizers, Fast and Fabulous Lunches, Casseroles You'll Crave, Soul-Satisfying Soups, Wholesome and Hearty Mains, Sweet and Savory Snacks, Feel-Good Desserts, and Go-To Sauces, Spices, and Staples.

    Each recipe is accompanied by a drool-worthy photo and precise instructions that guarantee perfect results every time. I didn't need to tweak a single recipe I made-the flavors and textures were spot-on.

    Brandi's recipes pack a serious protein punch and burst with flavor, all without any fuss. Think Chocolate Protein Pancakes, Cheesy Lentil Pasta Bake, Teriyaki Orzo Casserole, Cajun Spinach Artichoke Pasta, or Almond Cream Strawberry Shortcakes-dishes so hearty and satisfying, they'll win over anyone at the table.

    With so many amazing options in Vegan Wholesome, narrowing it down to just one to share was no easy task, but I couldn't resist picking this Creamy Gochujang Chickpeas and Lentils with Poblano Pepper since it's become a go-to favorite at my house.

    It came together fast and tasted phenomenal! The chickpeas and lentils make it super filling, and that spicy-sweet gochujang kick had me going back for seconds-my family loved it!

    Pan of gochujang chickpeas in sauce.

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  rating and sharing your feedback in the comment section below. It would make my day!

    ⭐️ Subscribe to the Vegan Huggs Newsletter and receive weekly recipes straight to your inbox! You'll also receive my FREE eCookbook featuring my top 10 recipes. 

    Recipe

    gochujang chickpeas in a white bowl.
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    5 from 1 vote

    Creamy Gochujang Chickpeas and Lentils with Poblano Pepper

    Recipe excerpted from Vegan Wholesome: High-Protein Meals and Snacks to Energize and Nourish © 2025 by Brandi Doming. Published by Rodale Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
    This is easily one of my favorite recipes in the book. Not only is it very quick and easy, but it is high in protein from the chickpeas and lentils, while also being so rich in depth of flavor. It has a nice kick and is straight-up addictive! I’ve made this so many times since creating the recipe. If you’ve never tried gochujang (Korean chile paste), it is a worthy investment. It adds so much flavor and cannot be subbed. It is spicy, a little sweet, and really creamy. The tomato paste helps to balance out the spiciness of the gochujang by adding some acidity to the dish. To add a smoky element, I’ve included poblano peppers. All these bold flavors are magically softened by the creamy coconut milk.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time15 minutes mins
    Total Time25 minutes mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 316kcal
    Author: Melissa Huggins

    Ingredients

    • 1 large (70g) poblano pepper , diced (½ cup)
    • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt , plus more to taste
    • 3 large (12g) garlic cloves , minced
    • 2 tablespoons (30g) gochujang (Korean chile paste)
    • ¼ cup (60g) tomato paste
    • 1 (13.5-ounce)can "lite" coconut milk (or another really creamy plant milk like high fat oat milk)
    • 11/2 teaspoons paprika
    • 1 (15-ounce) can low-sodium chickpeas, drained and rinsed
    • 1 (15-ounce) can low-sodium lentils, drained and rinsed
    • 1 tablespoon (15g) fresh lemon juice
    • Cooked rice or other grain for serving
    • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh spinach or another green of choice for garnish

    Recommended Equipment

    • 1 Large Deep Saucepan
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    Instructions

    • In a large deep saucepan, combine ¼ cup (60g) water, the salt, and poblano pepper and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until beginning to get tender, about 3 min
    • Add the garlic and cook another minute. Add another splash of water if the pan is dry. Add the gochujang, tomato paste, coconut milk, and paprika and stir well until mixed thoroughly.
    • Add the chickpeas and lentils and mix well. Bring to simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the sauce has slightly thickened and the chickpeas are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Taste and add any more salt if needed. (I added another ¼ teaspoon.)
    • Serve, as is, or add rice or grain of your choice to serving bowls. Spoon servings of the gochujang sauce over the top. Garnish with the fresh greens.

    Notes

    Recipe excerpted from Vegan Wholesome: High-Protein Meals and Snacks to Energize and Nourish © 2025 by Brandi Doming. 
    This dish has a nice spicy kick. If you are really sensitive to heat, you can sub in green bell pepper for the poblano pepper and reduce the gochujang sauce to just 1 tablespoon. You may need to increase the salt then, as gochujang sauce has a lot of flavor in it. Make sure to use a creamy milk (like a high-fat creamy oat milk) and not a thin, watery one or the sauce will be less rich and flavorful. Avoid using full-fat coconut milk, though, as it is way too thick and will overpower the dish with coconut flavor.
    *Nutrition information is calculated without rice. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 316kcal | Carbohydrates: 45.3g | Protein: 16.3g | Fat: 8.8g | Sodium: 329.4mg | Fiber: 14.4g | Sugar: 9.3g
    Tried this recipe?Follow me @veganhuggs and mention #veganhuggs!

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    About Melissa

    I’m Melissa Huggins – the creator of Vegan Huggs. I started this blog to share delicious vegan recipes that everyone will love. Yep, that includes carnivores, too! Read more...

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      5 from 1 vote

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Brandi Doming

      April 03, 2025 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you so very much Melissa for sharing about my book, making the recipe and all of your kind words! It truly means so much to me!! I’m very grateful, thank you! ❤️

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        April 03, 2025 at 9:17 pm

        You're so welcome, Brandi! Your book is a great addition to our collection. We can't wait to try more. 🙂

        Reply

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    I’m Melissa Huggins – the creator of Vegan Huggs. I started this blog to share delicious vegan recipes that everyone will love. Yep, that includes carnivores, too!

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