How to Cook Lentils

Wondering how to cook lentils? Here’s our tried and true stovetop method, whether you want them straight up or seasoned for a fast dinner!

Looking to eat more lentils? Lentils are a total powerhouse: they’re full of plant-based protein, low in calories, have a host of health benefits, and are super affordable. And, they’re seriously tasty when prepared correctly! When Alex and I started eating a mostly plant based diet over 10 years ago, we kept hearing, “Eat more lentils!” It took a while to figure out the best ways to eat them, but now we’re pros ant incorporating them in meals. This recipe is a basic lentil recipe that can be served many different ways: as part of a bowl meal, in a taco, and more! Even better: our two-year-old Larson adores them. Keep reading for how to cook lentils: of the brown or green variety!

Related: Instant Pot Lentils & Rice

Ready to get started? This recipe for how to cook lentils uses green or brown lentils. This is the most basic type of lentils and is easy to find at the grocery store. There are quite a few other types of lentils — see the Types of lentils section below for more info!

Now, this method for how to cook dried lentils is designed to work either as a component in another recipe, or seasoned to eat as a quick lunch or dinner recipe! If you want to make the lentils to go in another recipe, you can skip all the seasonings and just cook them in either vegetable broth or water. Cooking lentils in vegetable broth adds a ton of flavor, but if you don’t have it you can absolutely use water.

Here are the ingredients you need for how to make lentils on the stovetop:

Brown or green lentils (either will work)
Vegetable broth (you can sub water in a pinch, but veggie broth adds great flavor)
Onion powder
Paprika
Garlic powder
Oregano
Salt & pepper

Simply place all the ingredients into a pan, bring to a brisk simmer, and simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape. This recipe is seriously simple: and if you want an even simpler version, try our Instant Pot Lentils! It’s the same recipe but takes about 15 minutes total using a pressure cooker.

How to serve these lentils

If you’re using these lentils as a quick lunch or easy dinner recipe, here are some great ideas for how to use them:

As a bowl meal (pictured): Throw them in a bowl with pita bread, a dollop of Greek yogurt, tomato wedges, and chopped cilantro
In a taco: Throw them into a tortilla with salsa and sour cream: or try them in place of the filling in one of our taco recipes
With eggs: This morning Alex and Larson ate a delicious brunch of scrambled eggs and lentils! Here’s our Best Scrambled Eggs recipe.

Types of lentils

Before we start with How to cook lentils, a quick primer on lentil types. All lentils are not created equal! Here are a few of the most popular types of lentils:

Brown & green lentils: These are the most “standard” varieties when you think of lentils — and the type featured in the recipe below! They cook quickly (in 20 to 30 minutes), and tend to fall apart when cooked instead of hold their shape. Try them: Quick Lentil Curry, Vegan Sloppy Joes, or Lentil Tacos.
Red lentils: These bright orange colored lentils take about 20 minutes to cook and break down easily into a “mush”. Try them: Masoor Dal or Red Lentil Soup
French lentils (Puy lentils): These lentils hold their shape when cooked, making them very different from brown, green and red lentils. They’re small and greenish-gray. Try them: Easy French Lentils, Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie or French Lentil Salad.
Black lentils (Beluga lentils): Black lentils are the most flavorful around. They’re very small and dark, and similar to French lentils. They hold their shape when cooked which works for salads, but if you cook longer they’ll also fall apart like in curries. Try them: Seasoned Black Lentils, Lentil Salad, Sweet Potatoes with Goat Cheese & Lentils or Dal Makhani

Lentils nutrition facts

Lentils are protein packed and a healthy vegetable choice for any meal. Here are a few of lentils nutrition facts: 1/2 cup cooked (1/4 cup dry) lentils has:

12 grams protein
169 calories
5 grams fiber
0.5 grams fat
30 grams carbohydrates

Harvard shows that legumes have lots of additional health benefits. Scientific studies have linked a diet high in legumes with a lower risk of developing diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, and strokes.

Lentil Q&A

And before we get to how to cook lentils: all your lentil questions answered! If you have a question that’s not included, let us know in the comments below and we’ll add it.

How to cook dried lentils?

See the recipe below!

Are lentils beans?

Lentils and beans are both legumes. Bean can be used as a synonym for legume, so lentils are technically part of the bean family. But in common usage, beans are larger and rounder, whereas lentils are lens shaped.

What are some lentils benefits? Are lentils good for you?

According to Harvard, scientific studies have linked a diet high in legumes with a lower risk of developing obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, or strokes. So yes, lentils are a great choice for a healthy diet.

Are lentils gluten free?

Yes, lentils contain no gluten.

How long to cook lentils?

It depends on the type of lentil and what you’ll be using them for. For brown and green lentils, cook them 20 to 30 minutes until tender. The recipe below cooks them until they just hold their shape: other recipes like soups or curries cook them longer.

Are lentils legumes?

Yes, lentils are legumes! Legumes include lentils, beans, peas, chickpeas, and peanuts.

Are lentils keto?

Lentils have a high amount of carbs, so they are not included in a keto diet.

Can dogs eat lentils?

Yes, dogs can eat lentils. Start with a small amount and if your dog reacts adversely, do not continue to feed them lentils.

What do lentils taste like?

It depends on the type of lentil and how you’re serving them! But in general, brown lentils taste earthy, green lentils taste peppery, and red lentils taste sweet.

How much protein in lentils?

Lentils are protein packed! A 1/4 cup dry (1/2 cup cooked) brown or green lentils has 12 grams protein.

How to season lentils?

You can season lentils any way you’d like! In the recipe below we’ve used onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt and pepper. Or, try them in our Quick Lentil Curry, Masoor Dal or Verde Lentil Tacos.

Are lentils vegetables?

Lentils are vegetables! They are a fantastic plant based protein for vegetarian and vegan diets.

How long to soak lentils?

This depends on the recipe! Most of the lentil recipes on this website do not require soaking.

Do lentils go bad?

Dry lentils last for 2 to 3 years at room temperature, stored in a sealed container. Cooked lentils last in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Vegan taco recipe — Throw these lentils into a taco with salsa & your favorite fillings

Lentil recipes

Outside of this recipe for how to cook lentils, here are some more lentil recipes using all types of lentils: green, brown, red, French and black! The method for cooking each type is different.

15 Best Lentil Recipes
Quick Coconut Lentil Curry
Masoor Dal (Indian Red Lentils)
Butternut Squash Lentil Soup with Kale
Instant Pot Lentil Tacos
Smoky Instant Pot Lentils and Rice
“Verde” Lentil Vegan Tacos
Healthy Baked Sweet Potato with Moroccan Lentils
Sweet Potatoes with Goat Cheese & Lentils
Rice & Lentil Salad
Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie with French Lentils
Hearty Vegan Stew with Sprouted Lentils
Red Lentil Curry with Rice (Mesir Wat)
Tuscan Artichoke Lentil Stew
Creamy Red Lentil Soup
Vegetarian Lentil Tacos
Lentil to Water Ratio
What are Lentils?

This recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.