Learn how to cook lentils in this easy step-by-step guide! From stove top to Instant Pot you’ll learn how to pick the best lentils and the perfect method for cooking them.
My top tips for cooking the perfect tender lentils at home. Walk away feeling like a lentil expert –Read on for more!
Maven’s Quick Tips
Pick the right lentil. Some lentils work best for different types of recipes. For soups and stews stick to red, brown or green. For salads try a heartier lentil like French/Puy lentils or black beluga lentils.
Choose your cooking method. Lentils cook best on the stove top but can also be cooked in the Instant Pot. I’m sharing both cooking methods in this post though my preference is for the stove top because I don’t find it ends up being much faster in an Instant Pot and you have less control of the final results.
Use fresh lentils. Though lentils can be stored for a long time, the older they are the longer they will take to cook so try to use fresh lentils when possible.
Add flavor. You can cook your lentils on their own but to infuse them with flavor I recommend a few add-ins like fresh or dried herbs, aromatics or stock. Note: hold off on salting until after cooking to maintain the texture of your lentils!
I’m back with another instalment of my “Healthy How-To” series. This is my 39th helpful resource post and probably my favorite one yet. Why? Because I LOVE lentils. I honestly think lentils are the powerhouse members of the pulse family. They’re tiny but mighty but most importantly, they cook quickly! Unlike beans that typically require soaking and a long cook time, you can have freshly cooked lentils on your table in 10-20 minutes (depending on type of lentil and cooking method).
So if you’re wanting to jump on the lentil train I’ve got you covered with this step-by-step guide on how to cook lentils.
What Are Lentils?
Lentils are legumes just like other types of beans or chickpeas. But unlike beans they actually cook quickly making them a great option for quick and easy recipes. Depending on the type of lentil you use their texture can be firm, crunchy or even soft and and creamy. Knowing which type of lentil to select is the key to any delicious lentil recipe.
*Types of Lentils
There are actually many many different types of lentils. Rather than sharing all of them I’ll highlight the most popular:
Brown and Green Lentils. These are your stock standards lentils and are great for use in soups and stews or blended into dips. They cook quickly and break down easily.
Red Lentils. You may also see them listed as yellow or orange lentils. The same instructions apply for red, yellow or orange lentils. These are most common in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking. Like brown and green lentils they cook quickly and have a thin skin that breaks down easily. This is also why they’re popular in soups and stews (think Indian curry or daal).
French Lentils/Puy Lentils. Sometimes called lentilles du Puy. These thick-skinned lentils are great for use in salads or even as a side or base in place of rice. With a thicker skin comes a longer cooking time (closer to 30 minutes on the stove top) so that’s a good thing to be aware of. You can use them in soups if you’d like your lentils to retain their shape and crunch.
Black Beluga Lentils. These are probably harder to find than other lentils on this list but they’re also the most versatile! They’re somewhere between a brown/green lentil and a French lentil. Depending on how long you cook them they can be used in salads or as a side or cooked for longer to be used in soups and stews. I love the nutty taste of these!
Do I Need to Rinse Lentils?
Always inspect your lentils and pick out any cracked or broken ones. Sometimes dirt, rocks and grime sneak their way in so make sure to remove those too! After inspecting, rinse your lentils in a mesh colander to remove any remaining dirt. I would not recommend skipping this step! That being said you do NOT need to soak your lentils before cooking!
Do You Have to Soak Lentils Before Cooking?
Nope! Lentils do not need to be soaked before cooking. Unlike beans they cook much faster and do not require any soaking.
Are Lentils Good For You?
Yes! As both a legume and a vegetable, lentils are a great source of plant-based protein and fiber. They’re also low in fat but still high in protein making them a great option for most diets.
They have a slightly nutty and earthy flavor but tend to take on the taste of whatever else you combine them with making them a great option for soups, salads and even veggie burgers!
How Long to Cook Lentils?
Cooking time depends on the type of lentil and method selected. On the stove top the cook time for lentils is typically 15-40 minutes and in the Instant Pot you’re looking at 5-10 minutes + 5-15 minutes of natural steam release. See below for exact cooking times.
How Long to Cook Lentils on the Stove Top
Again, cooking time varies depending on the type of lentil you are using. See below for more specific ingredients and instructions. Here is my guide:
Green/Brown Lentils: Bring lentils to a boil and then cover and lower to a simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until lentils have absorbed all the liquid.
Red/Orange/Yellow: Bring lentils to a boil and then cover and lower to a simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until lentils have absorbed all the liquid. Note that these lentils always break down which is why I recommend using these in soups and stews.
French Lentils: Bring lentils to a boil and then cover and lower to a simmer. Cook for 20-30 minutes or until lentils have absorbed all the liquid OR lentils are soft in which case you’ll need to strain the liquid.
Black Beluga Lentils: Bring lentils to a boil and then cover and lower to a simmer. Cook for 30-40 minutes or until lentils have absorbed all the liquid OR lentils are soft in which case you’ll need to strain the liquid. These will maintain a bit of crunch but if you want them soft simply add more water or stock and cook for longer.
How Long to Cook Lentils in the Instant Pot
Yes – you can cook your lentils in the Instant Pot! Here’s the deal: Because the amount of time required to cook your lentils depends on the freshness of your lentils these cooking times are not exact. Since lentils cook relatively quickly on the stove top I recommend sticking to that method. That being said if you’d rather cook your lentils in the Instant Pot here are some estimates (again see below for exact ingredients and times):
Green/Brown Lentils: Combine lentils, water/stock and any flavor boosters to a large Instant Pot and pressure cook to HIGH. Cook for 5 minutes and then allow to natural steam release for 5 minutes before manually releasing remaining steam.
Red/Orange/Yellow: Combine lentils, water/stock and any flavor boosters to a large Instant Pot and pressure cook to HIGH. Cook for 5 minutes and then allow to natural steam release for 5 minutes before manually releasing remaining steam. Note that these lentils always break down which is why I recommend using these in soups and stews rather than salads.
French Lentils: Combine lentils, water/stock and any flavor boosters to a large Instant Pot and pressure cook to HIGH. Cook for 10 minutes and then allow to natural steam release for 10 minutes before manually releasing remaining steam.
Black Beluga Lentils: Combine lentils, water/stock and any flavor boosters to a large Instant Pot and pressure cook to HIGH. Cook for 10 minutes and then allow to natural steam release for 15 minutes before manually releasing remaining steam.
*Add Flavor Boosters While Cooking!
One way I love to amp up the flavor of lentils is to add some flavor boosters while cooking. Here are some ideas:
- Use stock: I love using stock in place of water for added flavor and nutrition
- Add fresh herbs: throw in 2-4 sprigs of thyme or rosemary.
- Add dried herbs: Add 1-2 dried sage or bay leaves.
- Aromatics: toss in 1/2 a yellow onion, a whole shallot or a couple whole garlic cloves.
I recommend waiting until the very end of cooking to salt your lentils. This helps to preserve their texture while cooking.
How to Store Cooked Lentils
Fridge: Freshly cooked lentils will keep an in airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Freezer: Yes, you can freeze your cooked lentils! Simply add to a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Allow to thaw for several hours on the countertop or overnight in the fridge. You can reheat them in the microwave or on the stove top.
My Favorite Lentils Recipes:
How to Cook Lentils
Learn how to cook lentils in this easy step-by-step guide! From stove top to Instant Pot you’ll learn how to pick the best lentils and the perfect method for cooking them.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Side
- Method: Cook
- Diet: Gluten Free
- 1 cup dry green, brown, red, black or French lentils, rinsed + drained
- 2 cups water or stock
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Optional Flavor Boosters: Fresh herbs, dried bay leaf or sage, fresh onion, shallot or garlic
On the Stove Top:
- Combine lentils, water/stock and any flavor booster to a large pot and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce heat to low and cover pot.
- For green, brown or red lentils – cook for 10-20 minutes or until all liquid has been absorbed.
- For French lentils – cook for 20-30 minutes or until they have softened slightly and all liquid has been absorbed. OR if lentils are soft but there’s still some water simply strain them.
- For black beluga lentils – cook for 30-40 minutes or until they have softened slightly and all liquid has been absorbed. OR if lentils are soft but there’s still some water simply strain them.
- Remove any flavor boosters and stir in salt.
In the Instant Pot:
- Combine lentils, water/stock and any flavor boosters to a large Instant Pot and pressure cook to HIGH.
- For green, brown or red lentils – Cook for 5 minutes and then allow to natural steam release for 5 minutes before manually releasing remaining steam.
- For French lentils – Cook for 10 minutes and then allow to natural steam release for 10 minutes before manually releasing remaining steam. If there’s any remaining liquid simply strain it out.
- For black beluga lentils – Cook for 10 minutes and then allow to natural steam release for 15 minutes before manually releasing remaining steam. If there’s any remaining liquid simply strain it out.
- Remove any flavor boosters and stir in salt.
Notes
-Yields 2 1/2 cups of cooked lentils.
-Cooked lentils will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week or up to 6 months in the freezer.
