The small but mighty lentil is a nutrient powerhouse that’s great in soups, salads, and more.
Score just-right doneness with our easy cooking tips.
These little legumes are always cooked before eating.
Credit: Andy Lyons
But those incredible lentil dishes wouldn’t be nearly as good if your lentils are all mushy.
Black lentils:Also called beluga lentils, these legumes make a hearty addition to salads and vegetarian dishes.
Brown lentils:These are inexpensive and easy to find in most grocery stores.
Credit: Karla Conrad
French lentils tend to be more expensive, and finding them might require a visit to a specialty market.
Red and yellow lentils: This thin-skin variety tends to cook quickly and break up while cooking.
They are small and often sold split, revealing an orange-red color.
They are commonly used in Middle Eastern andIndian cuisine.
How to Cook Lentils
How long does it take to cook lentils?
That depends on the lentil variety.
The following instructions apply to any lentils you wish to cook, just the timing changes.
In general, use 212 to 3 cups of water for every cup of lentils.
Add lentils to a colander or sieve, and rinse with cool running water; drain.
Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until tender, stirring occasionally.
To store cooked lentils, place in a covered storage container and keep refrigerated for up to three days.
For additional flavor, consider adding 12 cup chopped onion, minced garlic, 12 tsp.
Toss with enough vinaigrette, such asbalsamic vinaigrette, to moisten.
If desired, toss in crumbled feta cheese, sliced olives, and fresh snipped fresh basil.
Cover and chill up to 24 hours before serving.
For recipe inspiration, try this deliciousLentil Pilaf.
How to Buy and Store Lentils
Lentils are most often sold dried.
They are available year-round in bulk or packaged and can be storedin your pantry.
When buying in bulk, verify the bins are covered to ensure freshness.
While dry lentils can be stored almost indefinitely in your pantry, no more than one year is recommended.
Store dry lentils in an airtight container in a cool, dry place out of direct light.
it’s possible for you to also find pre-cooked, ready-to-use cans and packages of lentils.
Be sure to rinse well and drain before adding to your lentil recipes.
Wondering how to cook lentils or dried beans in an Instant Pot?
Thissalmon with lentil hash and bacon recipeis a great introduction.
you might also use our tips and tricks to cooking all other dried beans with ease.
Lens culinarisisthe only species of lentils cultivated for eating.
Lentils come in several colors, including green, brown, black, yellow, and red.
These lentils vary somewhat in flavor and nutritional content.
Ganesan, Kumar, and Baojun Xu.Polyphenol-Rich Lentils and Their Health Promoting Effects.International journal of molecular sciences, vol.
11, 2017, pp, 2390, doi: 10.3390/ijms18112390
