Learn How To Cook Lentils to tender perfection with this complete tutorial on preparing and cooking lentils of different varieties. Brown lentils, red lentils, black lentils and French lentils are flavorful, inexpensive and incredibly nutritious. Lentils are the perfect plant-protein addition to your meals.
If you love lentil recipes as much as we do, check my favorite Lentil Soup recipe!
Dried lentils are a year round pantry staple that is loaded with nutrients and flavor. This superfood has an earthy quality and delicious taste. Cooking lentils is easy, quick and no-soaking is required. Sounds too good to be true? It is!
Lentils were part of our meals growing up. My grandma made many different lentil recipes, like stews, curries and soups. She also added lentils to salads and rice recipes as a way to incorporate additional protein and fiber in our diets.
What Are Lentils?
Lentils are small round legumes packed with nutrients. They are high in protein and fiber, low in fat and are also gluten-free. They are believed to have originated in the Middle East but are now cultivated all around the world. Lentils are a staple in many cuisines including India and the Mediterranean among others.
How To Prepare Lentils
There are about a dozen varieties of lentils to choose from and each one of them works well for different recipes however, you can prepare all varieties the same way. Preparing lentils is easy and only requires two steps:
- Sort: Sift through the dried lentils and pick out any small stones, discolored lentils or stray bits.
- Rinse: Place the lentils in a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water.
How To Cook Lentils
There are different methods for cooking lentils and cooking times will vary depending on each variety. I will go through the most popular varieties and which methods work best for each type. You can find detailed information in the printable recipe card below.
Cooking Lentils On The Stove Top
- Add to Pot: To cook lentils on the stovetop, add 1 cup of lentils, 4 cups of water (or enough water to cover them by at least 2 inches) and a bay leaf to a pot.
- Cook: Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat, cover the pot and simmer until the lentils are tender.
- Drain: Drain and discard the bay leaf. Use the lentils in salads, side dishes or in your favorite lentil recipe.
Cooking Lentils In The Slow Cooker
Some type of lentils may take longer time to cook.
- Add to Slow Cooker: To cook lentils in the crock pot, add 1 cup of lentils and 2 or 2.5 cups of water. You can add 1 bay leaf (optional).
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 3 hours or on high for 1.5 hours or until the lentils are tender.
- Drain: Drain and discard the bay leaf (if using). Use the lentils in salads, side dishes or in your favorite lentil recipe.
Cooking Instant Pot Lentils
The pressure cooker or Instant pot cannot be used to cook some types of lentils. Red, yellow and orange lentils turn to mush when cooked in the pressure cooker as they have a softer texture.
- Add Lentils to the Pressure Cooker: Place 1 cup of lentils and 2 1/4 cups of water in the Instant pot. Add a bay leaf. Close the lid and seal the pot.
- Cook on High Pressure: Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.11 minutes for a softer texture.
- Release the Pressure: When the cooking cycle is complete, release the pressure by doing a quick release. Stir. Most likely draining won’t be necessary.
Types of Lentils (Lentil Varieties)
As I mentioned above, there are many varieties of lentils however, the ones you will most likely find at your local supermarket or specialty store are the following:
French Lentils, French Green Lentils, De Puy Lentils
French lentils also known as “lentilles vertes”, or green lentils in French are dark green in color and smaller than standard green lentils. They have a more intense flavor compared to other varieties. French lentils have a pleasant peppery taste and are hearty and firm in texture. They take a bit longer to cook but hold their shape well which makes them ideal for salads and warm side dishes.
Puy lentils or lentils de Puy are the same variety as French lentils except that they have been grown in the region of Puy in France. This area has volcanic soil which gives them a deeper peppery taste.
How To Cook Lentils (French Lentils)
- Sort and Rinse: Sift through the dried lentils and pick out any small stones, discolored lentils or stray bits. Place the lentils in a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water
- Cook: Add 1 cup of lentils, 4 cups of water and a bay leaf to a pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered for about 25 to 30 minutes or until tender.
- Drain: Drain and remove the bay leaf.
How Long To Cook French Lentils
- French Lentils Cooking Time: Cook French lentils on the stove top for 25 to 30 minutes. You can cook French lentils in the Instant Pot on high pressure for 9 minutes. After the cooking cycle is complete, do a quick pressure release.
Brown Lentils or Green Lentils
These are one of the most common lentils and the easiest lentils to find at any market. Brown lentils are flat little disks with a mild, hearty and earthy flavor. Brown lentils are firm and for the most part hold their shape, but will break up easily if overcooked. Brown lentils are incredibly versatile and often used to make soups and stews. They can also be used in dips and to make burgers.
How To Cook Lentils (Brown Lentils or Green Lentils)
- Sort and Rinse: Sift through the dried lentils and pick out any small stones, discolored lentils or stray bits. Place the brown lentils in a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water
- Cook: Add 1 cup of brown lentils, 4 cups of water (or enough water to cover them by at least 2 inches) and a bay leaf to a pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered for about 20 to 25 minutes or until tender.
- Drain: Drain and remove the bay leaf.
How Long To Cook Lentils (Brown)
- Brown Lentils Cooking Time: Cook Brown lentils on the stove top for 20 to 25 minutes. You can cook brown lentils in the Instant pot on high pressure for 10 minutes or 11 minutes if you prefer a softer texture. After the cooking cycle is complete, do a quick pressure release.
Red Lentils, Orange Lentils and Yellow Lentils
Red and orange lentils are simply yellow lentils that have been hulled and split. These lentils cook much quicker than any other variety and can become very soft and lose their shape quickly. Red lentils have a mild, nutty flavor and soft, creamy texture. Red lentils are mostly used for stews, curries, purees and for the famous Red Lentil Dal.
How To Cook Red Lentils (or Orange Lentils or Yellow Lentils)
- Sort and Rinse: Sift through the dried lentils and pick out any small stones, discolored lentils or stray bits. Place the lentils in a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water
- Cook: Add 1 cup of red lentils, 3 cups of water (or enough water to cover them by at least 2 inches). Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered for about 15 to 20 minutes or until tender.
- Drain: Drain.
How Long To Cook Lentils (Red, Orange, or Yellow)
- Red Lentils Cooking Time: Cook Red lentils on the stove top for 15 to 20 minutes.
I prefer not to cook Red lentils in the pressure cooker because they are naturally soft and cook very quickly on the stove top. That is however a personal preference. If you are short on time, cook red lentils on high pressure for 3 to 5 minutes. After the cooking cycle is complete, do a quick release.
Black Lentils (Beluga Lentils)
Black Lentils are small and pearl-shape. They are also called Beluga lentils because of their resemblance to caviar. Black lentils are earthy, rich and very tasty. Black lentils have a thick skin and hold their shape well. Black lentils are said to have the most nutrients of all the lentils.
How To Cook Lentils (Black)
- Sort and Rinse: Sift through the dried lentils and pick out any small stones, discolored lentils or stray bits. Place the black lentils in a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water
- Cook: Add 1 cup of black lentils, 3 – 4 cups of water ((or enough water to cover them by at least 2 inches) and a bay leaf to a pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered for about 25 minutes or until tender.
- Drain: Drain and remove the bay leaf.
How Long To Cook Lentils (Black)
- Black Lentils Cooking Time: Cook Black lentils on the stove top for about 25 minutes. or until tender. You can cook black lentils in the Instant pot on high pressure for 9 minutes. After the cooking cycle is complete, do a quick pressure release.
How To Make Lentils Extra Flavorful
If you want to add extra flavor to lentils, here are a few flavor boosters:
- Cook dry lentils in vegetable or chicken broth instead of water.
- Add aromatics to the cooking water or broth. Sliced onions, fresh garlic cloves and thin slices of carrots are easy additions that add a lot of flavor.
- Add herbs like fresh thyme sprigs, fresh parsley or dried bay leaves.
- Add some spices and seasonings. Whole peppercorns, dried chiles, vegetable or chicken bouillon are good options.
- Add a small piece of kombu for flavor and added nutrients.
- Smoked meats like smoked ham bones or turkey bones will add a ton of flavor with very little effort.
- Bacon is probably my favorite flavor booster for lentils. My mom makes the absolute best lentil stew with lots of garlic, tomatoes and crispy bacon. This is what my kids always ask grandma to make for dinner (my little one is vegetarian so no bacon for him).
Are Lentils Gluten-Free?
Yes, lentils are free of gluten.
Do I Have To Cook Lentils With A Bay Leaf?
No. You can cook lentils in plain water or you can choose to add herbs or aromatics for extra flavor.
While cooking lentils, can I add salt?
I prefer to add salt to the lentils after they are completely cooked and tender. Salting the cooking liquid can prevent the lentils from reaching their peak of tenderness.
Before Cooking Lentils, Do You Have To Pre-Soak Them?
No. Lentils do not require any soaking before you cook them. However, if you pre-soak your lentils, make sure to reduce the cooking time as soaking will make them a bit softer.
What Color Of Lentils Are The Healthiest?
Black Lentils or beluga lentils are the most nutritious variety of lentils. A half-cup of uncooked lentils has 26 grams of protein and 100 mg of calcium
Do You Have To Rinse Lentils?
Rinsing lentils may not be a requirement but I like rinsing them to make sure I get rid of any dust or impurities. Rinsing lentils only takes a couple of minutes and it’s easy to do.
How Do You Know If Lentils Are Fully Cooked?
The best way to check if your lentils are tender and done is to taste them. Keep in mind that different varieties have different textures however, they should be tender and not too al dente. After a taste, if you want the lentils to be softer, simply simmer them longer.
Are Lentils Beans?
Lentils are in the same family group of legumes as beans. Lentils and beans are considered legumes because they both grow in pods. To put it simply, lentils are like bean’s cousins. Just like lentils and beans, peas, soybeans, peanuts, green beans and chickpeas are also legumes.
How Long Do Cooked Lentils Keep?
You can store cooked lentils in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Can You Freeze Lentils?
Yes, you can freeze cooked lentils for up to 3 months. My preferred method is to spread the lentils on a sheet pan or baking pan and freeze them for 2 hours. After that, I place them in an airtight container or freezer safe resealable bag and freeze them for up to 3 months.
If you prefer quick and simple, you can just store the lentils in in an airtight container or freezer safe resealable bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Storing lentils this way is perfectly fine but defrosting may take a little longer than the method above.
Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Lentils Recipe Tips
- Avoid adding salt to the cooking liquid. Salting too early can prevent lentils from reaching their peak of tenderness.
- Keep in mind that different types of lentils cook faster than others. Read about cooking times above or check the recipe card.
- Lentils do not require pre-soaking.
- Cook lentils in broth to add extra flavor!
How to Make Lentils 3 Ways (Stove Top, Crockpot, Instant Pot)
Ingredients
Stove Top
- 1 cup lentils (brown lentils)
- 4 cups of water or broth
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
Slow Cooker
- 1 cup lentils (brown lentils)
- 2-2.5 cups water or broth
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
- 1 cup lentils (brown lentils)
- 2.25 cups water or broth
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
Instructions
- Sift through the dried lentils and pick out any small stones or stray bits. Rinse the lentils in a fine mesh sieve under cold running water.
Stove Top
- Add the lentils, water and bay leaf in a pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered for about 20 to 30 minutes or until tender.
- Drain and remove the bay leaf.
Slow Cooker
- Place 1 cup of lentils and 2 or 2.5 cups of water or broth into the slow cooker. Add 1 bay leaf (optional).
- Cover and cook on low for 3 hours or on high for 1.5 hours (one hour and one half) or until the lentils are tender.
- Drain and discard the bay leaf (if using).
Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
- Place 1 cup of lentils and 2 1/4 (two and one quarter) cups of water in the Instant pot. Add a bay leaf.
- Close the lid and seal the pot. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes (11 minutes for a softer texture).
- When the cooking cycle is complete, release the pressure by doing a quick release. Stir. Most likely draining won’t be necessary.
Recipe Notes
- This recipe yields about 2.5 cups of cooked lentils.
- Avoid adding salt to the cooking liquid. Salting too early can prevent lentils from reaching their peak of tenderness.
- Lentils do not require pre-soaking.
- Use broth instead of water for additional flavor.
- LENTILS COOKING TIME FOR STOVE TOP COOKING:
French Lentils/French Green/De Puy: 25-30 minutes
Red/Yellow/Orange Lentils: 15-20 minutes
Black/Beluga Lentils: 25 minutes
Leave a Reply