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How to Cook Red Lentils
Find out how to cook dried red lentils and if they need soaking.
Prep Time
2 mins
Cook Time
2 mins
Total Time
17 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 159 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
International
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried red lentils
- 3 cups water
- ¼ teaspoon salt optional
Instructions
- Use a fine-mesh strainer to rinse the dried red lentils under cold water, getting rid of any dust or debris.
- Decide how many dried red lentils you want to cook. The typical ratio is 1 cup of lentils to 3 cups of water. Adjust according to your recipe.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, bring the specified amount of water to a boil. You can add a pinch of salt if you like.
- Once the water is boiling, add the rinsed red lentils to the saucepan, giving them a quick stir.
- Lower the heat and cover the saucepan with a lid to let it gently simmer.
- Let the red lentils simmer for about 15-20 minutes until they absorb the water and become tender. Taste one to check—they should be soft but not mushy.
- Depending on your recipe, you might want to keep some cooking liquid. Red lentils tend to absorb a lot of liquid, so if you're making a soup or stew, you can retain some. For salads or side dishes, feel free to drain extra water.
- Your cooked red lentils are ready to be added to your desired recipe, whether it's a soup, curry, salad, dip, or any other dish.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- The number of servings for a recipe using dried red lentils can vary depending on the specific recipe and the portion size you prefer. However, as a general guideline, here's an approximate serving suggestion:
- 1 cup of dried red lentils, when cooked, typically yields about 2 to 2.5 cups of cooked lentils. So, if you're planning a meal with a side of red lentils, 1 cup of dried lentils should serve approximately 2 to 4 people, depending on the portion size and the other dishes you're serving. If red lentils are the main part of the dish, then 1 cup of dried lentils may serve 2 as a main course.
- Keep in mind that specific recipes may vary, so always adjust the quantities to match your serving needs and preferences.
Nutrition Information
Calories
159kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
27g
(9%)
Protein
12g
(24%)
Fat
0.5g
(1%)
Saturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.1g
Sodium
157mg
(7%)
Potassium
430mg
(12%)
Fiber
14g
(56%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
18IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
31mg
(3%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 159
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 159kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 27g | 9% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 0.5g | 1% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Sodium | 157mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 430mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 14g | 56% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 18IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 31mg | 3% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.