Introduction

Lentils are an easy, healthy and delicious side dish or meal. You can make them in a variety of ways, from basic to gourmet. While cooking dried lentils takes some time, it’s worth it for their great taste and nutritional value! You may want to consider buying pre-cooked lentils or preparing them ahead of time so that they’re ready when you need them for dinner. I recommend cooking on the stovetop because it’s easier than using an Instant Pot (and cheaper too). However you decide to cook your lentils, here are some tips on how long they’ll take in each method:

According to the USDA, lentils are a pulse crop. Like other pulses, they’re high in protein and other nutrients like folate, iron, zinc and magnesium.

Lentils are a pulse crop. Like other pulses, they’re high in protein and other nutrients like folate, iron, zinc and magnesium.

According to the USDA: “Lentils are an excellent source of dietary fiber as well as vitamins B1 (thiamin), B6 and folate.”

In order to enjoy their benefits more regularly, add them to your diet.

Lentils are a good source of protein, fiber and iron. They’re also low in fat and calories, making them an excellent choice for people who want to maintain a healthy weight or lose weight.

Lentil Benefits:

• Protein: one cup of cooked lentils contains 18 grams of protein–that’s more than half the recommended daily intake for adults (50-60 grams). One serving provides 9% of your daily value for iron as well; this mineral helps carry oxygen throughout your body so that you stay energized throughout the day.*
• Fiber: one cup cooked lentils has 15 grams of dietary fiber–that’s about half what most people need each day (30-38 grams). The soluble type found in legumes like these will help lower cholesterol levels by binding with bile acids before they get absorbed into the bloodstream.*

How Long Does It Take to Cook Lentils

How long it takes to cook lentils depends on the type of lentil you’re using. In general, red and green lentils take the longest to cook, while black beluga and brown/green French Puy varieties fall in the middle range.

• Red lentils: 30 minutes at low heat (1-2 hours if left unattended)
• Black beluga: 20-30 minutes on low heat (1 hour if left unattended)
• Green french puy: 15-20 minutes on low heat (45 – 60 minutes if left unattended)

Here’s how long it takes to cook lentils in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop.

• How long does it take to cook lentils in the Instant Pot?

If you have a pressure cooker, your best bet is to use that. You can cook lentils in about 20 minutes with the Instant Pot. If you don’t have an Instant Pot, go ahead and cover them with water and boil them on the stovetop for about 30 minutes or until tender but not mushy.

• How long does it take to cook lentils on the stovetop?

If you don’t have an electric pressure cooker like an Instant Pot (or even if you do), cooking lentils on top of the range is easy as well: just add some water–enough so there’s 2 inches above them–and bring everything up to a boil over high heat before reducing heat slightly so just barely simmering bubbles break at edges of pan; cover tightly with lid and simmer gently until tender but not mushy (about 30 minutes).

Cooking Lentils in an Instant Pot

• Add 3 cups of water (or vegetable broth) per 1 cup of dried lentils, then stir together.
• Seal the lid and set it for 10 minutes at high pressure with an NPR (natural release).

Rinse the dried lentils and discard any stones or bad spots.

Soak the lentils in water overnight, then rinse them before cooking. Discard any stones or bad spots you find. Don’t wash the lentils after soaking them; just rinse them under running water and use as directed below.

Add 3 cups of water (or vegetable broth) per 1 cup of dried lentils, then stir together before sealing the lid. Set it for 10 minutes at high pressure with an NPR (natural release). Open up the pot and stir through salt and pepper to taste!

Add 3 cups of water (or vegetable broth) per 1 cup of dried lentils, then stir together before sealing the lid. Set it for 10 minutes at high pressure with an NPR (natural release). Open up the pot and stir through salt and pepper to taste!

That’s it! You have now made a batch of delicious lentils in under 15 minutes.

Note that cooking times vary based on what kind of lentil you use – for example black beluga lentils usually take about 20 minutes to cook but red ones can take over 40 minutes!

You may be wondering how long it will take for your lentils to cook. The answer depends on what kind of lentil you’re using! For example, black beluga lentils usually take about 20 minutes to cook but red ones can take over 40 minutes.

Conclusion

So, there you have it: a quick and easy recipe for cooking lentils! We hope this has been helpful in showing you how long it takes to cook lentils. If you’re looking for more recipes that use these nutritious little guys, check out our collection of vegetarian dishes here on the blog.