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Learn how to cook lentils on the stovetop and in the Instant Pot with this step-by-step guide! I’ll walk you through how to cook tender lentils with ease and share all my top tips along the way!
How to Cook Lentils on the Stovetop or in an Instant Pot
Lentils are an absolute pantry staple in my home! They’re nutritious, inexpensive, and easy to cake, making them perfect for adding to meals year round. These hearty legumes are good enough to be enjoyed as-is with a bit of seasoning and topped with an egg. However, they’re also great to add to soups and salads.
The key to their incredible flavor is cooking them correctly. Undercooked lentils are not safe to eat, and overcooked lentils are mushy and unpleasant. Don’t worry, though!
We set out in search of the best ways to cook brown and green lentils, and we’re breaking down all the details for you, providing different cooking methods and our top tips and tricks. By the end, you’ll be confident in how to make lentils on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot.
What Are Lentils?
Lentils, also known as pulses, are a type of legume like beans, chickpeas, and sugar snap peas. Both a legume and a vegetable, lentils are a great source of plant-based protein and fiber. In addition, unlike other legumes such as chickpeas, they’re low in fat, making them an extremely nutritious addition to any meal.
On their own, lentils have a delicate earthy flavor. However, they take on the taste of whatever they’re paired with, meaning they’re versatile and work well in a variety of meals. For instance, you can serve them on their own as a side dish, mix them into main courses, or even use them to make the base of veggie burgers.
Types of Lentils
When shopping, you’ll notice that there’s quite a variety of lentils to choose from. Although similar, they all have slightly different tastes and textures when cooked. The various options include:
- Flat Green and Brown Lentils: These are the most common types of lentils found in local grocery stores and are the least expensive. Flat and mild in flavor, they soften as they cook but do not lose their texture and are best used in dishes like lentil soup and lentil burgers.
- French Green Lentils: Also known as Puy lentils, French green lentils are smaller and rounder than flat lentils. As a result, they become tender but more al dente and hold their shape when cooked. They’re great for adding to salads or using as the base of grain bowls. They also make great meat substitutions.
- Black Lentils: Also known as Beluga lentils, these have a more al dente or firm texture, like French green lentils. They’re also the most nutritious form of lentils and have a strong earthy flavor, sometimes compared to that of black beans. As a result, black lentils are delicious in salads and side dishes.
- Red and Yellow Lentils: Also known as split lentils, these are the smallest form of lentils with the mildest taste. Red lentils are typically slightly sweeter than yellow lentils. However, both versions lack skins, meaning they cook much more quickly than other varieties and become soft and creamy. Both red and yellow lentils are common in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines and are commonly used in recipes like dahls and curries.
Cooking Times
This post covers the cooking instructions for brown and green lentils only. Other lentils require different cooking times and sometimes require different cooking methods. So, make sure to follow the package instructions if using a different type of lentil.
Do I Need to Soak Lentils Before Cooking Them?
No, lentils do not need to be soaked before cooking! However, if you want to reduce the cooking time, you can soak lentils as you would beans. Soaking overnight can reduce the cooking time by about half, depending on how old your lentils are. The older the lentils, the longer they take to cook!
Do Lentils Need to Be Rinsed?
Yes! Lentils should be picked through and rinsed before cooking. This ensures there is no dust or debris such as small rocks or sticks present.
Transfer your lentils to a fine mesh sieve, and rinse them underwater until the water runs clear. Then, pick out any remaining debris, shriveled lentils, or shells, and proceed with your preferred cooking method.
How to Cook Lentils (2 Ways)
We tested every cooking method possible when learning how to prepare lentils and ate a lot of lentils for a few weeks. However, during that time, we found that the best methods for cooking lentils were on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot. We’ll walk you through both methods below!
Ingredients You’ll Need
*Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe and ingredient list!
- Dry Lentils: Use dry flat green or brown lentils that have been picked through and rinsed.
- Water: This softens and cooks the lentils. Feel free to use chicken broth or vegetable broth to infuse the lentils with more flavor.
- Optional Mix-Ins: Depending on how you plan to use your cooked lentils, you can add bay leaves, thyme, salt, shallots, or olive oil to infuse them with flavor.
Stovetop Lentils
Cooking lentils on the stove is probably the most popular cooking method. It’s super easy and only requires a pot!
- Place the lentils in a large pot, and submerge them in water.
- Turn on the heat, and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
- Once boiling, cover, and reduce the heat. Simmer gently for 20-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender but not mushy. Check on the lentils occasionally, and add more water as needed if it evaporates.
- Remove the pot from the stovetop, and strain any water from the lentils.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Add More Flavor
Feel free to add fresh herbs and shallot to infuse the lentils with even more flavor. To do so, add the ingredients to the pot before boiling. Then, boil, simmer, and discard the herbs and shallot before straining. Toss the lentils with olive oil after cooking if desired.
How to Make Lentils in the Instant Pot
- Add the lentils and water to an Instant Pot liner.
- Seal, and cook for 5 minutes with 5 minutes of natural pressure release.
- Remove the lentils right away, and enjoy!
Boost the Flavor
Include bay leaves or sprigs of thyme in the Instant Pot to amp up the flavor of the lentils. Season with salt and/or olive oil after cooking if serving the lentils as a side.
Tips for the Best Lentils
- Use fresh lentils: Lentils can last months in the pantry, but they’re best used fresh. Otherwise, they may take quite a while to cook!
- Season after cooking: Avoid salting the lentils when you cook them. The salt will impact the texture of the lentils and can prevent them from softening properly. So, it’s best to season after cooking while the lentils are still warm.
- Avoid overcooking: Reduce the heat to a simmer as soon as the water begins to boil, and remove the lentils from the heat as soon as they’re soft. Otherwise, they can become super mushy, which isn’t what we want!
Ways to Use Cooked Lentils
Lentils have so many great uses! The easiest way to use them is as a simple side dish.
If serving as a side dish, you can add a little olive oil or butter after cooking. Then, season with black pepper, fresh herbs, or even a bit of lemon juice or vinegar as desired.
Or you can use the lentils in all kinds of recipes such as salads like our Greek lentil salad, soups like classic lentil soup, grain bowls, veggie burgers, or topped with seasonings and a fried egg.
FAQs
Yes, lentils are naturally gluten-free. However, they may come into contact with other gluten-containing ingredients in factories. So, make sure to look for lentils that are certified gluten-free if needed.
Leftover lentils will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days.
Make sure cooked lentils are drained and cooled completely. Then, place them on a sheet pan, and freeze for 15-20 minutes to help them dry out and freeze slightly. Then, transfer them to a storage bag or airtight container, and freeze for up to 6 months.
When ready to use, you can either place the lentils in the refrigerator to defrost overnight. Or, if in a rush, thaw them at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or until mostly defrosted.
More Helpful Cooking Guides
- The Ultimate Guide on How to Make Oatmeal
- How to Cook Quinoa
- How to Make Cauliflower Rice
- How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
- Vegan and Dairy Free Milk Guide
- How to Make Sticky Rice
Watch the video here:
How to Cook Lentils
Ingredients
For Lentils in the Instant Pot:
- 1 cup lentils picked through and rinsed
- 2 cups water or broth
- 1 bay leaf or 3 sprigs of thyme optional
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil optional
For Lentils on the Stove:
- 1 cup lentils picked through and rinsed
- 2 cups water or broth more as needed
- 1 bay leaf or 3 sprigs of thyme optional
- 1 shallot peeled (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil optional
Instructions
How to Cook Lentils in the Instant Pot:
- Add lentils, water and herbs (if using) to the liner of an Instant Pot.1 cup lentils, 2 cups water or broth, 1 bay leaf or 3 sprigs of thyme
- Close the lid and set to sealing. Cook on manual high pressure for 5 minutes with a natural release of 5 minutes. Then release any remaining pressure. Discard herbs.
- Immediately transfer lentils to a strainer, to strain and excess liquid (there might not be any). Place drained lentils in a bowl, and season with salt.
- If serving lentils as is, gently stir in some oil, ground black pepper and additional fresh herbs, if desired.½ teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon olive oil
To Cook Lentils on the Stove:
- Add lentils, water, herbs and shallot (if using) to a medium pot. Turn on heat and bring lentils to a rolling boil.1 cup lentils, 2 cups water or broth, 1 bay leaf or 3 sprigs of thyme, 1 shallot
- Once boiling, cover and reduce heat to let simmer gently for 20-30 minutes until lentils are tender but not mushy. Occasionally check lentils to see if the water has evaporated, adding more water as needed.
- Remove from heat, discard herbs and shallot (if using) and strain lentils. Place lentils in a bowl and add salt.½ teaspoon salt
- If serving as a side dish, add olive oil, and additional seasonings such as black pepper and fresh herbs, as desired.1 tablespoon olive oil
Notes
- Leftover lentils will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days.
- Freeze leftover lentils for up to 6 months. To do so, make sure the cooked lentils are drained and cooled completely. Then, place them on a sheet pan, and freeze for 15-20 minutes to help them dry out and freeze slightly. Then, transfer them to a storage bag or airtight container to store. When ready to use, you can either place the lentils in the refrigerator to defrost overnight. Or, if in a rush, thaw them at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or until mostly defrosted.
What gf lentils do you recommend?
All lentils are naturally gluten free. We most often buy Aurora Naturals or 365 brand.