How to Cook Green Lentils

Do you want to learn how to cook green lentils? In this article, I'll give you all the tips you need for cooking these small nutrient-packed gems and making easy and healthy green lentil recipes.

How to Cook Green Lentils

What are Green Lentils

• Green lentils are part of the legume family, like peas and beans. They have a glossy, hard green outer skin ranging from light green to dark khaki, even mottled.
• Green lentils are an excellent plant-based protein and are an affordable, accessible, and versatile ingredient. They are commonly used in dishes from cuisines worldwide, including India, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and Latin America.

Green lentils are:

1. Nutrient packed
2. Versatile
3. Eco-favorable
4. Budget-friendly

My Love of Green Lentils

One of the first recipes I published on this cooking site is for my green lentil dahl. Years on, this recipe is still one of my most popular. It has few ingredients and steps, making it an ideal recipe for beginner cooks. It is also a good base recipe to customize and add other ingredients.

Green Lentil Dahl

Tasty and easy green lentil dahl recipe with soft and tender lentils, warm spices, and creamy coconut milk.

What Do Green Lentils Taste Like?

Green lentils have a mild earthy flavor, and some say even peppery taste. They hold their shape well when cooked, making them versatile for curries, stews, soups, and lentil salads.

Do Green Lentils Need to be Soaked Before Cooking?

Dried green lentils do not have to be soaked before cooking. Soaking will simply speed up the cooking process.

How Long Should you Soak Green Lentils?

Put the green lentils in a bowl with enough water to cover them and soak them for 6 to 8 hours or overnight.

What are Green Lentils - Different Ways to Buy Green Lentils

#1 Dried Green Lentils

Generally, the cheapest and easiest way to buy green lentils is dried. In this form, they store well in a kitchen pantry for a long time.

I like using dried green lentils as I can adjust the cooking time depending on what I make. For example, cook the green lentils until soft and tender for a salad. For dhal, cook the green lentils until they are very soft.

#2 Canned Green Lentils

The benefit of buying canned lentils is that they are already cooked and ready to go. So, when you want convenience or are short of time, canned cooked lentils are a great idea. There is also no soaking required as they are already cooked.

Regarding canned green lentils, I have never seen lentils in a can with a label specifying that they are exclusively 'green lentils.' Sure, I can buy lentils in a can called 'lentils,' which I think are often green or brown, but I have never seen a can labeled specifically 'green lentils.'

Can you Eat Green Lentils Straight From the Tin?

Are Canned Green Lentils Already Cooked?

As canned green lentils are already cooked, you can eat them straight from the tin. Simply strain, rinse under cold water, and add to your favorite dish!

Do you Need to Rinse Canned Green Lentils?

I always like to rinse canned green lentils under running cold water. This helps to remove some of the sodium from the preserving liquid.

#3 Green Lentil Flour

Green lentil flour can be bought at specialty health food stores or online. Lentil flour is made from finely ground lentils until it forms flour. Lentil flour can be used to make Indian flatbreads, bind burgers, as a thickener for stews, or even mixed with other flours to make dough.

Adding Flavor, What to Cook Green Lentils With?

How to Cook Green Lentils

• Broth or stock - Using broth or stock as the cooking liquid instead of water adds flavor to your green lentil recipes. You can use store-bought or homemade broths, bouillon, or stocks.
• Alliums - You can add different types of onion and garlic to your green lentil recipes. Onions and garlic, part of the allium family, help to build the flavor of your green lentil dish. Firstly, saute the onions and garlic, then add the cooking liquid and green lentils.
• Spices - Toast the spices first so that they release their fragrance and release their flavor. Then, add the stock or broth and green lentils. Spices such as ground coriander, turmeric, and cumin complement green lentils if building an Indian-inspired dish.
• Meat and vegetables - Use chopped-up vegetables or even a meat bone for the flavor to infuse through your green lentils. Chopped vegetables, such as carrots and celery sauteed in olive oil, thyme, and bay leaves, will add flavor and help build the dish's taste.

How to Cook Green Lentils - Ingredients

• 1 cup dried green lentils - Use 1 cup of dried green lentils. You can buy dried lentils from grocery stores, Indian and African grocers, and health food stores. Similar to buying dried peas and beans, select green lentils that are smooth and with no broken pieces.
• 3 cups water or stock - The liquid you add to the green lentils will flavor them as they cook. Use water or either homemade or store-bought broth or stock.

Cooking Instructions

How to Cook Green Lentils Stovetop

Unsoaked Green Lentils

1. Rinse - Rinse the cup of dried green lentils in a colander under water to remove debris or dirt.
2. Cook - Add the dried lentils to the 3 cups of water or stock in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes or until the green lentils are tender. Drain the lentils and use them.

Soaked Green Lentils

1. Rinse - Rinse the cup of dried green lentils under cold water to remove discolored lentils, debris, and other matter.
2. Soak - Soak the green lentils in a bowl with enough water to cover the lentils by at least 2 to 5 inches. Soak for 6 to 8 hours or overnight.
3. Cook - Drain the lentils to remove the water, and put them in a saucepan with 3 cups of fresh water. Bring the water to a boil and simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes or until the green lentils are tender.

How Long do Green Lentils Take to Soften?

Other Cooking Methods for How to Cook Green Lentils

Can you Cook Green Lentils in a Slow Cooker?

Yes, you can cook dried green lentils in a slow cooker. Note: Always read the slow cooker's instructions for timing, as different models recommend varying amounts of water and cooking times.

1. Rinse - Put 1 cup of dried green lentils in a colander and rinse under cold water to remove debris and impurities.
2. Slow Cook - Put the green lentils in 3 cups of water or vegetable broth in the slow cooker. Secure the lid on the slow cooker and turn to low for 8 hours or until tender.

Do you Have to Soak Dried Green Lentils Before Slow Cooking?

It is unnecessary to soak green lentils before slow-cooking them. Soaking will simply speed up the cooking time.

How to Cook Green Lentils in Instant Pot?

You can cook green lentils in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Note: Always read the pressure cooker's instructions for timing, as different models recommend varying amounts of water and cooking times.

• Rinse - Rinse 1 cup of dried green lentils under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
• Cook - Combine the lentils, liquid, and seasoning. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure. After the desired cook time (refer to the table below), allow a natural pressure release of 15 minutes.

Do you Need to Soak Lentils Before Pressure Cooking? 

It is not necessary to soak the dried green lentils before cooking them in the Instant Pot. Soaking will simply speed up the cooking time.

Can you Cook Green Lentils in a Rice Cooker?

Green lentils cooked in a rice cooker will have a perfect texture every time! Note: Always read the rice cooker's instructions for timing, as different models recommend varying amounts of water and cooking times.

• Rinse - Put 1 cup of the dried green in a sieve and rinse under cold water to remove dirt or debris.
• Cook - Add the green lentils, liquid, and aromatics to the rice cooker. Secure the lid and turn on to cook until the lentils are soft. Taste and adjust the cooking time until the lentils have the desired texture.

Can you Cook Green Lentils in the Microwave?

You can cook green lentils in the microwave:

1. Rinse - Put 1 cup of dried green lentils in a sieve. Rinse under cold water to remove discolored lentils and impurities.
2. Prepare - Put the rinsed green lentils in a microwave-safe bowl and add 3 cups of water or cooking liquid.
3. Microwave - Microwave on high for 25 to 30 minutes. Stir the lentils every 10 minutes for consistent cooking. Check the texture and adjust the cooking time, if needed, until the lentils are soft and tender.

Can I Cook Green Lentils in the Oven?

For a gentle cooking process, you can cook green lentils in the oven. This cooking method makes an excellent base for casseroles or stews.

• Rinse - Rinse 1 cup of green lentils in a sieve under cold water. Check and remove any dirt or impurities.
• Bake - Place the rinsed lentils in a Dutch oven and add 3 cups of cooking liquid such as stock or broth. Add other casserole ingredients. Bake at 325°F |163°C for at least 1 hour until ingredients are cooked. Taste and adjust the cooking time if required.

Best Green Lentil Recipe Ideas

How to Cook Green Lentils Indian style?

Cook my green lentil dahl for a delicious Indian-style dish. Add yogurt sauce and fresh herbs such as coriander to garnish.

How to Cook Green Lentils in Soup?

Green lentils are the base of a good soup with crushed tomatoes, celery, carrots, vegetable or chicken stock, herbs, and salt and pepper. Here are 27 + ideas of what you can serve with lentil soup!

Lentil Veggie Burgers

Move aside meat patties, as green lentil burgers are tasty and protein-packed!

Combine cooked green lentils with chopped onions and breadcrumbs, season with salt and pepper and fresh herbs, and form into patties. Either fry or bake them until cooked and serve on a bun with your favorite burger toppings for a delicious meat-free meal.

What to do With Leftover Lentils?

Store cooked green lentils in the fridge and add them to other dinners during the week, such as an easy green lentil recipe salad.

Lentil Bolognese

Make a plant-based spaghetti bolognese without the mince. Green lentils are the perfect plant-based option: healthy, whole food. Chop up onion and carrots and fry with olive oil. Add the cooked lentils, passata, and fresh basil for a quick and easy pasta sauce. Simmer for 20 minutes and serve with your favorite pasta!

Green Lentil Salad

Mix cooked green lentils with chopped cucumber, tomato, and fresh parsley, and add a quick dressing of fresh lemon juice and olive oil. Simple and delicious.

Lentil Flour Recipes

Green lentil flour can be used as a substitute for traditional wheat flour or as a feature ingredient to highlight its distinctive taste.

• Indian lentil pancakes - Savory pancakes can be made from a lentil flour batter with spices such as ground cumin, turmeric, and fresh green chili. Like a crepe, the batter is spread thinly on a hot pan and cooked until crisp and golden.
• Lentil Crackers - Lentil flour can be mixed with olive oil, water, and seasonings such as dried herbs. These crackers make a distinctive and tasty gluten-free alternative to traditional crackers.
• Lentil pasta - Mixed with water and then formed into a dough, lentil flour offers a gluten-free, high-protein substitute compared to regular wheat pasta.

How to Store Green Lentils

Uncooked Dried Green Lentils

• Pantry - Store dried green lentils in an airtight container in a dry and cool pantry shelf.
• Freezer - Extend the life of dried green lentils and store them in an airtight container in the freezer.

Cooked Green Lentils

• Fridge - Store cooked green lentils in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
• Freezer - Maximise the life of cooked green lentils by storing them in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

5+ Other Plant-Based Substitutes for Green Lentils

#1 Split Peas

If you are short of time, green and yellow split peas are a great substitute for green lentils due to their quick cooking time. They are also versatile for thickening dishes such as stews, curries,` and soups.

#2 Whole Peas

I'll show you how to use dried whole peas, with and without soaking, as a green lentil substitute.

#3 Chickpeas

Chickpeas are extremely versatile for use in curries, soups, stews, and salads and make a good replacement for green lentils.

#4 Red Lentils

Red lentils are the fastest to cook of all lentil varieties as they are shelled and split in half. This means that they break down and become soft very quickly. They are ideal for soups, stews, curries, and for thickening dishes.

#5 Brown Rice

Grains such as brown rice are a good substitute for green lentils in a variety of dishes, such as salads and burrito bowls. Learn different ways to cook brown rice.

How to Cook Green Lentils FAQs

What is the Difference Between Split Peas and Lentils?

Split Peas Vs Lentils

• LEGUMES Split peas and lentils are both types of legumes.
• COLOR The many different types of lentils come in various colors, such as red, black, yellow, and green. Split peas generally come in a green or yellow color.
• TASTE Lentils have an earthier flavor than split peas. Split peas are sweeter and creamier than lentils.

Can I Use Split Peas Instead of Lentils? 

You can substitute split peas instead of lentils in many recipes.

Note: As split peas cook much faster than green lentils, you may have to reduce the dish's cooking time. Read my split peas versus lentils article for more information on the cooking times.

Are Red Lentils and Green Lentils Interchangeable?

What is the Difference Between Red and Green Lentils?

Red lentils are one of the smallest types in size and are much smaller than green lentils. Red lentils have been split during drying; they cook much faster than whole green lentils.

You can substitute red lentils for green, but as they cook much quicker, add them to the dish later so they don't overcook.

Refer to my how to cook red lentils article for cooking times for different textures.

Can you Mix Red and Green Lentils

You can mix red and green lentils in one dish. As red and green lentils have different cooking times, you can either:

• Add them at different times to end up with a similar texture or
• Add them simultaneously, but end up with a dish with very mushy red lentils compared to tender but firm green lentils.

Red Lentils Vs Green Lentils Cooking Time

Here is the cooking time for unsoaked red and green lentils:

Do Green Lentils Take Longer to Cook Than Brown?

Green lentils take longer to cook than brown lentils.

Green Vs Brown Lentils Cooking Time - Unsoaked

Green Vs Brown Lentils Cooking Time - Soaked

Do Green Lentils Need to be Soaked?

Here are your top 4+ questions about 'how to soak green lentils' answered:

Why do you Have to Soak Green Lentils?

You don't have to soak green lentils; it simply reduces the cooking time.

Do you Soak Green Lentils in Hot or Cold Water?

Soak the green lentils in cold water.

Do I Need to Soak Lentils Before Making Soup?

No, it is not necessary. Cook the green lentils in the soup. This way, they will soak up all the meat and vegetable flavors.

How do you Soften Lentils Quickly?

You can't soften lentils quickly. Instead, if you are in a rush, use split peas or a type of lentils, such as red lentils, as they cook very fast.

How to Cook Green Lentils - How to Rinse Green Lentils?

Do you Have to Rinse Green Lentils?

It is best to rinse dried green lentils before cooking with them. This is because they may include debris and impurities and may not have been thoroughly cleaned before being sealed into packets.

Should you Rinse Lentils After Soaking?

After soaking, pour the lentils and water through a sieve and lightly rinse away the debris and dirt.

How to Rinse Green Lentils?

Put the dried green lentils in a sieve and pour cold water over them. At the same time, pick through the dried green lentils for any impurities, dirt, debris, or broken or discolored lentils.

No sieve? Place the dried lentils in a bowl filled with water. With your hand, move the lentils around the bowl to release any dirt and debris. Drain the water and repeat the process a couple of times.

What is the Ratio of Water to Lentils?

The ratio of water to green lentils is 3:1: three times the amount of water to dried green lentils.

For 1 Cup Lentils How Much Water Do I Use?

Use 3 cups of water for each 1 cup of dried green lentils.

How to Cook Green Lentils - Can you Over Cook Lentils?

You can overcook lentils so that they become soft and mushy. However, this soft texture suits some dishes, such as certain soups, curries, and dahl, so overcooking isn't always bad.

Can you Eat Green Lentils Raw?

Do Dried Lentils Need to be Cooked?

Green lentils need to be cooked before eating them.

How Much do Lentils Expand When Cooked?

Do Lentils Double in Size When Cooked?

Lentils will at least double to triple in size when cooked.

How do you Know When Lentils are Cooked?

Green lentils should be tender but firm in texture. For a salad, cook them until tender but still holding their shape. For green lentil dahl, cook them until they are very soft.

How to Cook Green Lentils - Conclusion

Now you know everything about buying, storing, and cooking green lentils. Following the cooking instructions in this article, you'll have the most tender and tasty green lentils for whichever recipe you want to make.

How to Cook Green Lentils

Learn how to cook green lentils for use in healthy recipes such as dahl, curries, stews, soups, and salads.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish, Soup

Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Author: Milly Chino

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried green lentils
• 3 cups water, stock, or broth

Instructions

• Rinse the dried green lentils in a sieve under running cold water to ensure that there is no dirt, debris, or broken pieces.
  
• If soaking, place the green lentils in a bowl of cold water for 6 to 8 hours or overnight.
  
• Drain the lentils and add to a pan of fresh water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Refer to the Cooking Times chart in the notes section below for further cooking time options.
  

Notes

Type of Lentil	Method	Soak Time	Cook Time
Green Lentil	unsoaked	0 hours	25 - 30 minutes
Green Lentil	soaked	6 - 8 hours	10 - 15 minutes

27+ What To Eat With Lentil Soup Ideas Gyoza Dipping Sauce Recipe - Quick and Easy Samosa Dipping Sauce Recipe - Tasty & Quick Types of Cheese - Best Guide to Cheese