How to Cook Lentils

A bowl of cooked lentils with a bay leaf on top.

5 from 4 votes

Lentils are packed with nutrients and protein making them a plant-based powerhouse. Learn how to cook lentils perfectly every time.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Asian

Servings: ½ cup servings

Calories: 170kcal

Author: Andrew Bernard

Ingredients

1 cup lentils, uncooked
3 cups water
1 bay leaf
¼ teaspoon salt, more or less to taste

Instructions

Sort through lentils and remove any rocks or debris. Rinse lentils throughly and pour lentils and water into a medium stock pot. Add in bay leaf and cover pot with lid.
Turn heat on to medium and allow to come to a rapid simmer. Reduce heat to a low simmer and allow to cook until soften (see cooking times in notes). Check and add more water if needed throughout cooking time.
Remove from heat, drain excess water, and remove bay leaf. Sprinkle in salt and stir together. Serve as desired.

Video

Notes

Cooking Times:

Brown/Green Lentils - 12-15 minutes
Black Lentils (Beluga Lentils) - 20-25 minutes
Yellow/Orange Split Lentils - 7-10 minutes
French Lentils (Le Puy Lentils) - 25-30 minutes

Season after. We like to add a bay leaf while cooking, but otherwise, do not recommend seasoning prior to cooking. Salt and acids can hinder proper cooking of lentils.

Watch your pot. Depending on your heat and pot, lentils can cook faster and turn mushy. Watch the move and check on the lower end of the time. Add more water if you water is evaporating too fast.

Nutrition