How to Cook Lentils

Name: How to Cook Lentils
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 people
Ingredients: 1 cup lentils; kosher salt

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Cook Time
mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings
4 people
Calories
152 kcal
Course
Side Dish
Cuisine
Mediterranean

How to Cook Lentils

Piper Perez

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This is the basic method for cooking lentils, which is to simply rinse, boil, and drain like pasta. I like for the lentil to maintain its shape and a bit of texture. This means I cook them rather gently, and for far less time than is typically written on the package. Check early, check often, and don’t forget to add flavor! See notes below for suggestions.

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Ingredients

Servings

1 cup lentils (or more to your liking)
kosher salt

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Instructions

Clean the lentils. Add the lentils to a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water to remove debris. Pick out any rocks or stones (you typically won’t find any but it’s worth checking).
Get ready to cook. Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil over high heat.
Cook the lentils. When the water is boiling, turn the heat to medium-low. Add the rinsed lentils and a big pinch of salt. Simmer until the lentils are cooked to your liking (see note), then drain through the strainer.
Season. Lentils are plain and somewhat dry on their own. While they’re hot, throw them in a bowl and add your favorite flavors. Toss with salad dressing, infuse olive oil with Aleppo pepper and garlic, add squeeze of lemon and a good glug of olive oil–the list goes on. Don’t forget salt!

Notes

to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including the
red
,
green
, and
black
lentils used in this recipe.
1 cup of dried lentils will yield 2-2.5 cups of cooked lentils. If you’d like to make a larger batch, simply make this recipe in a bigger pot.
: Depends on your taste, what you’re making, what brand of lentils you’re using, what you consider a simmer, etc, etc. Here are my suggested cook times, but remember: Always check early and cook to your liking!
15 minutes
8 minutes (these will not hold their shape, and are better for blending or adding to soups/stews)
20 minutes
15 minutes
Add your favorite aromatics to the simmering water, like garlic, bay leaf, dried herbs, shallot. Season the cooked lentils with your favorite dressings, olive oils, a squeeze of lemon, vinegar, dollop of Greek yogurt, the list goes on.
I hate to pour good
chicken
or
vegetable
broth down the sink, but if you're well-stocked this will also make your lentils more delicious. Instead of filling the saucepan, just be sure to cover the rinsed lentils by at least 2 inches. Bring to a rapid simmer over medium-high heat, then adjust to maintain a simmer and cook until tender. Check on them early.
Shop this recipe: Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including the red, green, and black lentils used in this recipe.
How many cups of lentils should I use? 1 cup of dried lentils will yield 2-2.5 cups of cooked lentils. If you’d like to make a larger batch, simply make this recipe in a bigger pot.
Nutrition information is based on 1/2 cup cooked lentils per person.
Cook time: Depends on your taste, what you’re making, what brand of lentils you’re using, what you consider a simmer, etc, etc. Here are my suggested cook times, but remember: Always check early and cook to your liking!

Green: 15 minutes Red: 8 minutes (these will not hold their shape, and are better for blending or adding to soups/stews) Black: 20 minutes Brown: 15 minutes
Green: 15 minutes
Red: 8 minutes (these will not hold their shape, and are better for blending or adding to soups/stews)
Black: 20 minutes
Brown: 15 minutes
Add aromatics: Add your favorite aromatics to the simmering water, like garlic, bay leaf, dried herbs, shallot. Season the cooked lentils with your favorite dressings, olive oils, a squeeze of lemon, vinegar, dollop of Greek yogurt, the list goes on.
Use stock: I hate to pour good chicken or vegetable broth down the sink, but if you're well-stocked this will also make your lentils more delicious. Instead of filling the saucepan, just be sure to cover the rinsed lentils by at least 2 inches. Bring to a rapid simmer over medium-high heat, then adjust to maintain a simmer and cook until tender. Check on them early.

Nutrition Information

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Calories 152kcal (8%) Carbohydrates 25g (8%) Protein 12g (24%) Fat 0.4g (1%) Sodium 3mg (0%) Fiber 10g (40%) Vitamin A 2.5IU (0%) Vitamin C 2.1mg (2%) Calcium 30mg (3%) Iron 3.8mg (21%)