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20+ Healthy Green Lentil Recipes

April 27, 2024 by Lindsay Leave a Comment

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Looking for green lentil recipes? Here are 20+ healthy lentil recipes to try! Everything from curry and soup to salads and tacos, they’re plant-based and full of protein, fiber & flavor.

easy green lentil recipes

*Originally published 9/21. Updated 4/24.*

Hi friends!

Recently, I shared 15+ Red Lentil Recipes and you guys were excited to have so many plant-based recipes all in one place. So I decided to put together another plant-forward roundup using green lentils. 

How To Cook Lentils

What are the basic steps to cook green lentils perfectly?

I love lentils because they’re a quick-cooking protein and I always make sure to have them in my pantry. There are several different kinds of lentils and they all cook a little bit differently. I love using red lentils in soups and curries because they lose their shape and blend into the soup. For things like tacos and other places I’m looking for more of a ground meat substitute, I prefer green lentils because they hold their shape and are soft but not mushy. 

Here are the directions for how to cook green lentils on the stove.


How To Freeze Lentils

Can you freeze and thaw cooked green lentils?

I usually cook a whole bag all at once and freeze the extras because it’s so quick and easy. I make muffins with lentils every week so it’s nice to be able to just pull some out of the freezer and not have to cook them every time. Just cook and cool completely, then portion into Ziploc bags and freeze. I use one cup portions for the muffins and 2 cup portions for other recipes. When ready to use either thaw overnight in the fridge or microwave to defrost.

Here are some recipe ideas for you!


green lentil recipes

Green lentil recipes vegan and vegetarian

You can easily add lentils to all your favorite soups and Mexican dishes for a vegetarian or vegan meal option that’s high in protein and fiber!

  • Spicy Lentil Nachos via Pinch of Yum
  • Lentil Vegetable Curry via The Lean Green Bean
  • Best Lentil Soup via Cookie + Kate
  • Instant Pot Lentil Tacos via A Couple Cooks
  • Slow Cooker Lentil Quinoa Chili via Aggie’s Kitchen
  • Lentil Tabouli Salad via Feasting at Home

healthy lentil recipes

Healthy Lentil Recipes

Can green lentils be used as a meat substitute in vegan or other recipes?

Yes! They make a great substitute. Their texture is similar, especially with green lentils, because they stay slightly firm and hold their shape and resemble ground meat crumbles.

Try one of these recipes:

  • Grillable Vegan Sprouted Lentil Burgers via Feasting At Home
  • French Lentil Nicoise Salad via The Full Helping
  • Lentil Sloppy Joes via The Lean Green Bean
  • Salsa Verde Lentil Tacos via Ambitious Kitchen
  • Trini Chicken Pelau via Sweet & Sorrel
  • Lentil Minestrone via Peas and Crayons

lentil recipes not soup

Green Lentils Recipes Not Soup

Lentils are great in soup but can also go beyond! Use them to make meatballs, meatloafs, salads and more!

  • Sunshine Lentil Bowls via Pinch of Yum
  • Moroccan Lentil Meatballs via Dishing Out Health
  • Lentil Shepherd’s Pie via Spend with Pennies
  • Lemony Lentil Salad via Gimme Some Oven
  • Maple Glazed Lentil Loaf via Eating Bird Food
  • BBQ Lentil Stuffed Sweet Potatoes via Emilie Eats

Instant Pot Lentil Recipes

instant pot green lentils taco salad

Can green lentils be cooked in a slow cooker or instant pot?

Absolutely. First, learn how to cook them in the Instant Pot (How to Cook Lentils In The Instant Pot) or crockpot (slow cooker lentils recipe) to use them any way you prefer.

Or try one of these recipes to get started:

  • Instant Pot Lentil Curry
  • Greek Instant Pot Lentils
  • Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Taco Salad
  • Slow Cooker Coconut Curry Lentils
  • Crockpot Moroccan Lentil Chickpea Soup
  • Cheesy Slow Cooker Lentils

Green lentil recipes soup

a quick and easy green lentil soup recipe

Are there any quick and easy green lentil soup recipes?

Soup is by far one of the easiest and most common ways to use green lentils. Here are a few soup recipes to try:

  • Best Lentil Soup
  • Mediterranean Spicy Lentil Soup with Spinach
  • French Lentil Soup

Green Lentils Recipes Salad

green lentils salad recipe

How can green lentils be used in salads for extra protein?

Lentils are a great way to add protein to salads. Whether you prefer lettuce or non-lettuce salads, try mixing in some lentils. With their mild flavor they easily absorb the flavors of whatever dressing you add without imparting a strong taste and add a healthy dose of protein and fiber. Try:

  • Lentil Salad with tomatoes and cucumbers
  • Lentil Salad with olives and feta
  • Lentil Salad with lemon dressing

Green Lentil Recipes FAQs

How can green lentils be incorporated into breakfast dishes?

There are lots of ways you can add lentils to your breakfast if you’re willing to keep an open mind! In general, I would say red lentils can be well-suited for breakfast recipes. Check out Lentils.org for tons of breakfast recipes. Or try these Breakfast Lentils with Cinnamon and Sugar or these Red Lentil Pancakes.

Green lentils hold their shape well and would be good to use in breakfast burritos, breakfast scrambles, with hash browns or in something like these Breakfast Lentil Quesadillas.

Are there any gluten-free green lentil recipes?

Lentils are naturally gluten-free and so they can easily be added to any recipe that is gluten-free already!

What are some creative ways to use green lentils in snacks?

One of my favorite ways to use lentils is in baked goods and snack recipes. Try these:

  • Lentil Banana Muffins
  • Pumpkin Apple Lentil Muffins
  • Chocolate Lentil Bars

Or learn how to make roasted lentils and add them to homemade trail mix!

How can you make dessert with green lentils?

Lentils work really well in chocolate desserts. Try adding them in these Chocolate Lentil Brownies or switch to red lentils and try these Peanut Butter Chocolate Lentil Blondies.

Can green lentils be sprouted and if so, how?

Yes! Here’s an easy tutorial on how to make sprouted lentils.

Can green lentils be used to make burgers or patties?

Yes! They make great vegetarian or vegan burgers, patties or meatballs. Try these Classic Lentil Burgers, Italian-Style Lentil Meatballs or these Spiced Lentil Burgers with Tahini Slaw.


See something you like? Pin it for later!

Looking for green lentil recipes? Here are 20+ healthy lentil recipes to try! Everything from curry and soup to salads and tacos, they're plant-based and full of protein, fiber & flavor.

Enjoy!

–Lindsay–

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Filed Under: Dinner, Ingredient Round-Ups Tagged With: Lentils

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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Learn how food affects your body.

Get my free Table Talk email series where I share bite-sized nutrition information about carbs, protein, and fat, plus bonus information about snacks and sugar!

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