How To Cook Lentils

Learn how to cook dried green lentils in this step-by-step tutorial. You can cook a whole bag at once and freeze for future use!

*Originally published 9/23. Updated 10/24*

Hi friends!

This is a post that has been several years coming! Pretty much ever since I posted my recipe for Lentil Banana Muffins back in 2011, I’ve been getting questions about how to cook lentils. I finally got my act together to write out the process for you so that anyone can learn!

Cooking with Lentils for Beginners

How To Cook Dry Green Lentils

This post is specifically about how to cook green (or brown) lentils. This is the kind I use most often and always have in my pantry. They are high in fiber and potassium and they’re full of antioxidants. They hold their shape when cooked and can easily be combined with ground meat in things like tacos, sloppy joes and pasta sauce.

Beyond our favorite banana muffins, I also use them in Lentil Sloppy Joes and Pesto Lentil Balls. You can also learn How To Make Roasted Lentils or How To Sprout Lentils.

Need more ideas? Here are 20+ Healthy Green Lentil Recipes.

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Baking with Lentils

Did you know lentils and beans are one of my favorite things to add to baked goods? I’ve been making these Lentil Banana Muffins for 10+ years and my kids still ask for them weekly. You blend the cooked lentils right into the batter with a food processor and it’s such an easy way to add protein and fiber to your baked goods.

You could also try my Apple Cinnamon Lentil Muffins or these Chocolate Lentil Bars.

Red Lentils vs Green Lentils

How To Cook Red Lentils // Red Lentils Cook Time

Red lentils are another great option. I love to use them in my Vegan Red Lentil Curry. However, they cook differently than green and brown lentils. Red lentils cook in only 5 minutes and tend to lose their shape. They’re best used for baking and in soups and stews where they can help thicken the broth. I often add some to my Curried Sweet Potato Soup. Or try them in my Red Lentil Pancakes!

Here are 15+ Red Lentil Recipes for you to try!

How Long Do Green Lentils Take To Cook // Green Lentil Cook Time

The great thing about lentils is that they cook super quickly. Once the water is boiling they just need to simmer for 12-15 minutes! This means if you don’t have any on hand in the freezer, you can easily cook some up while preparing other meal components and add them to a 20-minute meal.

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Learn How To Cook Lentils Quickly on the Stove Top

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How To Cook Lentils Perfectly Every Time {Lentil to Water Ratio}

• Add lentils to a pot.
• Add water. Lentils tend to triple in size once cooked so I recommend about 4 cups water per 1 cup dried lentils.
• Cover the pot and bring water to a boil. Once it boils, reduce to a simmer and let cook for 12-15 minutes. Exact cooking time will depend on your desired degree of doneness. I prefer mine on the firm side so 12 minutes works well for me but you can continue to simmer them until they’re as soft as you want.
• Drain the excess water. There will be water left. Lentils do not absorb all the water you put in like when cooking rice. Rinse lentils with cold water to stop the cooking process.
• Let cool completely before freezing (if desired).

How To Freeze Lentils // How Do You Freeze Cooked Lentils?

When I cook lentils, I tend to cook a whole bag at once and freeze most of them. Since I most often use them for baking and most of my recipes call for 1 cup, I freeze in once cup portions but if you plan to use for meals you could freeze in 2-3 cup portions.

Simply let the lentils cool completely, then scoop into storage bags, remove excess air and freeze flat.

When you’re ready to use them, transfer a bag to the fridge overnight, or put frozen lentils in a bowl and microwave to defrost.

Lentils for Meal Prep

Freezing lentils is great for meal prep as well! By cooking a whole bag at a time and freezing them, you can easily pull them out and add them to bowls, soups, casseroles and more as an easy vegetarian source of protein.

Try them in one of these recipes:

• Mediterranean Lentil Salad
• Grain-Free Lentil Bowls
• Sunshine Lentil Bowls

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How To Cook Lentils

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See how easy it is?! I can’t wait for you to make some because they’re such a versatile plant protein option.

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How To Cook Lentils FAQs

Do you soak lentils before cooking? How long do you soak lentils for cooking?

In my opinion, lentils do not need to be soaked before cooking, but it certainly won’t hurt and could possibly aid in digestion. Since they are smaller than other beans and legumes they don’t require hours and hours of soaking. If you’re going to soak them first I would aim for no more than 4 hours. Red lentils do not need to be soaked before cooking.

Do you have any tricks for how to soak lentils quickly?

If you’re pressed for time, boil some water and pour over lentils. Let sit for 20 minutes, then drain and cook.

Should you rinse lentils before cooking?

Yes. It’s a good idea to rinse lentils before cooking. Because they are so small, the way they are harvested makes it more likely that little rocks and other pieces of dust and debris might be mixed in with your lentils when you bring them home.

So give them a quick rinse in the colander and pick through to remove any rocks or debris you might see.

Do lentils expand when cooked?

Yes! Lentils will expand to about 3 times their original size while cooking. So one cup of dry lentils yields about 3 cups of cooked lentils. Because of this, it’s important to use a large pot if you’re cooking a whole bag at once and make sure they’re covered with plenty of water.

Why are my lentils mushy?

If your lentils are mushy, you probably cooked them too long. It’s always a good idea to taste them a few minutes a few minutes before the suggested cooking time is up to see if they’re at your desired level of tenderness.

You may prefer them cooked slightly less than the directions on the bag. You can also rinse them in cold water after cooking to help stop the cooking process.

Should all the water be absorbed when cooking lentils?

No. You want to fill a large pot with plenty of water before cooking so that the lentils have room to expand, but there will still be water left in the pot to drain away when the lentils are done cooking.

How do you know when lentils are done?

To me this is a matter of preference. The easiest way to tell is to taste a few. Are they soft enough to chew? Some people prefer them a bit firm and others like them very soft.

How do you cook lentils so they don’t fall apart?

Green/brown lentils hold their shape fairly well unlike red lentils. If you’re worried about them falling apart, start checking on them way before the cooking time indicated on the bag. In my experience, the cooking time on the bag of lentils is way too long and leads to mushy lentils.

Should you stir lentils while cooking?

No, you do not need to stir the lentils while they are cooking.

Do you cook lentils covered or uncovered?

Lentils should be cooked with the cover on.

How to store cooked lentils? How long will cooked lentils last in the fridge?

Lentils can be stored in the fridge for 5-7 days. Alternatively, you can sort them into 1 or 2 cup portions and freeze them until they are needed.

How to season lentils

Lentils pair well with many basic seasonings that you likely already have on hand like paprika, garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper. You could also try adding cumin, chili powder and other spices you enjoy. Here’s a simple recipe for Seasoned Brown Lentils.

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Different Kinds of Lentils (and varying lentil cooking time)

Different colors and types of lentils require different cooking times.

• Red/orange/yellow split lentils – cook in just 5 minutes or so and tend to lose their shape. They’re best in soups, stews etc.
• Black lentils – cook similarly to green/brown lentils. They may take just a bit longer, closer to 20 minutes. Here’s how to cook black lentils.
• French lentils – also cook similarly to green/brown lentils in about 15 minutes. Here’s an Easy French Lentils tutorial.

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How To Cook Lentils Without A Stove

Can you cook lentils in the oven?

Yes, you can cook lentils in the oven. They should take 45-60 minutes and are basically being braised. Here’s a recipe for Oven Braised Lentils.

Can you cook lentils in the slow cooker?

To cook lentils in the crockpot, combine 4 cups water with 1 cup lentils (or double). Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Drain and season as desired.

Or try on of these crockpot lentil recipes:

• Slow Cooker Lentils
• Crockpot Lentil Soup
• Crockpot Squash and Lentil Soup

How to cook lentils in the pressure cooker?

The Instant pot is a great option for cooking lentils as well, especially if you want to cook a large quantity at once. Here’s a great tutorial for How To Cook Lentils in the Instant Pot.

How to cook lentils in the microwave?

Yes. Place green lentils in a deep microwave-safe container and set a lid on top (not sealed). Microwave 10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Check for doneness and add another 1-2 minutes if needed.

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How To Cook Lentils in Soup

Lentils are also a great option for soup because they can cook right in the broth. Simply add a cup to your favorite soup and let them simmer. Need a recipe? Try these:

• Lentil Soup from Recipe Tin Eats
• Best Lentil Soup from Cookie + Kate
• Lentil Soup Recipe from Alton Brown

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–