What are Lentils + Best Types of Lentils to Cook With

Answering the question of what are lentils is key to cooking with these nutrient-packed gems. In this article, I will explain the difference in taste, texture, and uses between the 6+ main types of lentils.

What are Lentils

Are Lentils a Legume?

Lentils are the seeds of the lentil plant, which is a legume. Other members of the legume family are chickpeas, beans, and peas.

Note: lentils are never eaten fresh from the plant but are always dried and must always be cooked before eating.

Why are Lentils Special?

These tiny protein-packed gems are essential in our kitchen due to their versatility, nutrition, affordability, and eco-friendliness.

1. Nutritional Superstars: Lentils pack a nutritional punch! Full of protein, iron, and fiber, they make a wholesome alternative to meat, are good for energy, and are a valuable addition to a balanced diet.
2. Versatile: Lentils absorb flavor from herbs, spices, and seasoning and can be used to make super simple or more complex dishes ranging from salads, soups, stews, and side dishes to delicious dips for your snacks. 
3. Budget-Friendly: Lentils are accessible and economical and can help stretch the home cooks' creativity without breaking the bank.
4. Earth-Friendly: Lentils are a good choice for helping contribute towards a greener planet.

What are Lentils - 6+ Types

To further answer your 'what are lentils' question, I will explain the taste, uses, and cooking times of the 6+ main types of lentils that we most often find at the supermarket and local grocery stores.

I've divided the different types of lentils by color because that's the easiest way to identify them.

# 1 Green Lentils

Green lentils vary in color from pale green to dark khaki and have an earthy and peppery flavor. Their hard protective outer skin means they retain their original shape well and keep their firm texture even if you cook them for a long time.

Green lentils are one of the longest of all lentil types to cook.

Flavor: Earthy and peppery.

Uses: As green lentils keep their shape well, they are suitable for green lentil Indian dal, stews, curries, soups, and salads.

What are Lentils - Cooking Time Green Lentils

Soaking green lentils for 6 to 8 hours before cooking will speed up their cooking time.

# 2 Brown Lentils

Brown lentils are one of the most common types of lentils available. So common that when someone asks 'what are lentils', brown lentils often come to mind. Yes, brown lentils are often labeled as just 'lentils,' but sometimes they are called by other names, such as European lentils. They range in color from light to dark khaki-brown and even nearly black.

Brown lentils require less cooking time than green ones as they have a softer exterior. Hence, they are more tender and soft and can be easily mashed once cooked.

Taste: Mild flavor and earthy.

Uses: Brown lentils are suitable for soups and stews. You can also use them to make veggie burger patties or vegetarian samosa filling.

What are Lentils - Cooking Time Brown Lentils

# 3 Red Lentils

What are Red Lentils?

These small reddish-golden gems are mild and slightly sweet. Red lentils (masoor dal in Hindi) are one of the fastest-cooking lentils due to being hulled and split in half when dried. This process means they cook faster and break down quickly to become soft and mushy when cooked. So, if you need to make a quick mid-week meal, red lentils are the perfect type of lentil!

Flavor: Slightly sweet, mild, and earthy.

Uses: Red lentils are one of my favorite ingredients to thicken curry and soups. They are also perfect for dahl, stews, and dips like red lentil hummus.

How to Cook Red Lentils

Learn how to cook red lentils for use in dips, salads, snacks, soups, stews, and curries.

Check out this recipe

What are Lentils - Cooking Time Red Lentils

You don't need to soak red lentils before cooking, as they break down super quickly.

# 4 Black Beluga Lentils

Black beluga lentils got their name by looking very similar to beluga caviar; black and small. However, although smaller than most other lentils, black beluga lentils carry a robust earthy flavor punch. They retain their shape well when cooked and have a soft and creamy interior.

Taste: Strong earthy taste.

Uses: As black beluga lentils keep their shape well, they are good for salads, served with rice, curries, and burrito bowls, or as a protein-based meat replacement in tacos or Indian-style lamb keema.

What are Lentils - Cooking Time Black Beluga Lentils

# 5 French du Puy Lentils

You may have guessed from the name where this type of lentil comes from. Yes, French du Puy lentils (also known as French lentils, Puy lentils. French Green Lentils) are a particular type of lentil variety grown in a specific region of France. They look somewhat similar to green lentils but are darker and smaller, with a mottled greenish-black appearance.

French du puy lentils have a firm outer coating and retain their shape well when cooked. As they cook relatively quickly, there is no need to soak them first.

Flavor: Subtle earthy taste with peppery hints.

Uses: French du Puy lentils are ideal for mixing in salads, as the base of a grain bowl, or as a side dish with sauteed aromatics, thyme, and bay leaves. One of my favorite French-style casseroles features French du Puy lentils, chicken, leek, and carrot.

What are Lentils - Cooking Time French Du Puy Lentils

# 6 Yellow Lentils

If you like Indian food, you are probably familiar with the taste of yellow lentils; mild and a little bit sweet. During the drying process, the yellow lentils naturally split in two resulting in 'split' lentils. This means they cook very quickly and become soft.

Because yellow lentils break down quickly when cooked, they are popular in dishes that require a creamy or mushy texture, such as dhal, soups, and stews. Or when you need to be able to make a quick meal!

Flavor: Mild, nutty, and sweet.

Uses: Yellow lentils are great for creamy soups or dishes like curries and dahl.

What are Lentils - Cooking Time Yellow Lentils

Types of Lentils - Split Vs Whole Lentils

After learning about the types of lentils based on their color, it wouldn't be a complete article without discussing lentils based on their form.

1. Whole Lentils

Whole lentils are the whole lentil that has not been shelled and split. Because they still have their outer shell intact, these types of lentils require a longer time to cook than lentils that have been split in half. Whole lentils are great for dahl, salads, plant-based chili, and grain bowls.

Types of whole lentils: green, brown, black beluga, and French Du Puy.

2. Split Lentils

What are Split Lentils?

Split lentils are whole lentils that have been hulled and naturally split in half during the drying stage. This process makes them cook quickly and break down easily when cooked. They are perfect for making soups, curries, or dips with a creamy and thick texture.

Types of split lentils: yellow and red.

What are Lentils - Types of Lentils

Lentils List

Where do you Find Lentils in the Grocery Store?

Generally, lentils are sold in three forms; dried, canned, and as flour.

Dried Lentils

Dried lentils are the easiest and cheapest way to buy lentils. They are easy to store and keep for a long time. You can usually find dried lentils in the soup aisle of the supermarket, along with other dried legumes such as split peas, borlotti beans, and chickpeas.

An advantage of cooking with dried lentils is deciding which texture you prefer, whether tender, mushy, or creamy. For example, when making a red split lentil hummus dip cook the lentils until soft and mushy.

Canned Lentils

Canned lentils are generally pre-cooked and ready to be used in dishes. They are perfect if you're in a hurry or just want to prepare a quick and healthy meal.

You can usually find canned lentils in the canned vegetable aisle of grocers, along with other vegetables such as tomatoes, corn, and legumes such as beans, peas, and chickpeas.

Lentil Flour

Lentil flour is made by finely grinding whole or split dried lentils. It can be used in recipes as a feature ingredient and also sometimes as a wheat flour substitute in baked goods.

Besides being rich in protein, lentil flour is also gluten-free.

Use lentil flour to bind ingredients, such as vegetable burgers or meatballs, as the flour in Indian flatbreads, and even as a gluten-free addition to muffins, cookies, pancakes, and bread.

What are Lentils - Adding Flavour to Lentils

Lentils are incredibly versatile as you can season and flavor them to your liking.

• Broth | Stock - The easiest way to flavor lentils is to cook them in store-bought or homemade stocks, bouillon, or broths rather than just plain water. Use chicken, vegetable, beef, or lamb, depending on your dish. Alternatively, add a meat bone to the cooking liquid so that its flavor will infuse through the lentils as they cook.
• Herbs - Add herbs such as a bay leaf, rosemary, sage, or thyme to the cooking liquid to season your lentils.
• Aromatics - Saute garlic and different types of onion in olive oil before adding to the cooking liquid for a richer and more aromatic flavor.
• Vegetables - Saute the classic vegetables such as carrots and celery in some oil and add to the cooking liquid, along with the lentils, aromatics, herbs, broth, salt, and pepper.

What are Lentils and How to Cook Them?

Do you Need to Soak Lentils First?

You can choose whether to soak lentils or not before cooking. Soaking simply speeds up the cooking process.

What are Lentils - Ingredients

• 1 cup of dried lentils
• 3 cups of water | stock | broth

Instructions for Stovetop

With Soaking

1. RINSE - Rinse the lentils in a sieve under running cold water. Sift through the lentils and remove any dirt, debris, or broken lentils.
2. SOAK - Place the lentils in a bowl and cover with water. Soak for 6 - 8 hours or overnight.
3. ADD LENTILS AND WATER - Add the lentils and water to a medium size saucepan on the stovetop.
4. SIMMER - Bring the lentils to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and continue to simmer until the lentils are cooked. Refer to the Cooking Time for Soaked Lentils chart below for the different types of lentils' cooking time.
5. DRAIN - Drain and use.

How Long Does it Take for Lentils to Cook?

Soaked Lentils Cooking Time - Summary

Without Soaking

1. RINSE - Rinse the lentils in a sieve under cold water. Sift through the lentils and remove any discolored lentils, dirt, or debris.
2. ADD LENTILS AND WATER - Add the lentils and the broth or water to a pot on the stovetop.
3. SIMMER - Bring the lentils to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer until cooked. Refer to the Cooking Time for Unsoaked Lentils chart below for the different types of lentils' cooking time.
4. DRAIN - Drain and use.

How Long Does it Take for Lentils to Cook?

Unsoaked Lentils Cooking Time - Summary

How do you Know When Lentils are Done?

Lentils are cooked when they are soft and tender. You may want to cook them for some dishes until they are very soft and mushy, such as when using red lentils as a soup thickener. Alternatively, cook green lentils for a salad until tender but not mushy.

What are Lentils - Other Cooking Methods

Microwave

To cook lentils in the microwave, place 1 cup of rinsed lentils in a microwave-safe bowl and add 3 cups of water or broth. Microwave until cooked and tender.

Slow Cooker

Will Lentils Cook in a Slow Cooker?

To cook lentils in a slow cooker, place 1 cup of rinsed lentils into the slow cooker with 3 cups of broth, stock, or water. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours or until cooked and tender.

Pressure Cooker

You can cook lentils in an Instant Pot or a Pressure Cooker. Add the lentils, liquid, and seasoning. Seal and cook to the directions of your pressure cooker.

How to Cook Red Lentils in an Instant Pot

For how to cook red lentils in an Instant Pot, combine the red lentils, liquid, and seasoning. Seal the lid, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes with 15 minutes natural release; open the pot, stir, and taste.

Note - always check the instructions of your Instant Pot, or other branded pressure cookers, as all models vary in recommended water amount and cooking time.

What Can Lentils be Used For?

Green Lentil Dahl

Cook my tasty green lentil dahl recipe with a step-by-step video and instructions.

Green Lentil Dahl

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

Check out this recipe

Quick and Easy Lentil Salad

Nothing is easier to prepare lentils for than adding them to a salad. Simply cook and drain the lentils, then toss them with the salad ingredients and dressing. Very easy! And if you are in a rush, simply mix cooked canned lentils into your favorite salad.

Classic Lentil Soup

It's my favorite! Lentil soup is easy to make and can be a healthy comfort food option. The ingredients for this soup are straightforward. You just need to mix the delicious aroma of onion, carrot, and celery with the lentils and your favorite herbs and spices.

Read my article for 27+ ideas of what to serve with lentil soup.

Vegan Lentil Burgers

Many people's favorite lentil dish is veggie burgers. Besides being easy to make, lentils as a patty in a vegan burger can be a great source of plant-based protein.

10+ Plant-Based Lentil Substitutes

# 1 - Chickpeas

What are Chickpeas

Learn how to prepare, season, and cook chickpeas for use in snacks, curries, soup, salad, and much much more!

Check out this recipe

# 2 - Grains

How to Cook Brown Rice - Stovetop

Learn how to cook brown rice well every single time!

Check out this recipe

#3 Split Peas

How to Cook Split Peas

Learn how to cook split peas, with and without soaking beforehand, for use in soups, curries, dips, salads, and snacks.

Check out this recipe

#4 Whole Peas

How to Cook Dried Peas Without Soaking

Learn how to cook dried whole peas without soaking with this easy step by step cooking tutorial.

Check out this recipe

#5 Nuts Vs What are Lentils

Nuts are a good substitute for lentils and can help thicken soups, stews, and curries. One of my favorite Southeast Asian dishes is a chicken curry that uses ground-up cashew nuts to add a creamy thick consistency.

#6 Black Beans Vs What are Lentils

Black beans are a good substitute for lentils in soups, stews, salads, and especially Mexican-inspired dishes such as tacos and enchiladas.

#7 Kidney Beans Vs What are Lentils

Kidney beans will bring your dishes a sweet, nutty, and earthy taste. Kidney beans make a delicious plant-based chili, are great as the protein base in a grain bowl, and are a good substitute for lentils in soups, stews, and salads.

#8 Borlotti Beans Vs What are Lentils

Borlotti beans have a nutty sweetness and bring a lovely creaminess to dishes. Use them as a substitute for lentils in many recipes.

#9 White Beans Vs What are Lentils

White beans, such as cannellini beans, make an ideal replacement for lentils and bring a mild and nutty flavor to the dish.

#10 Soybeans Vs What are Lentils

Soybeans are a versatile legume and can be used in a curry or even cooked whole in their pod, shelled, and then sprinkled with salt flakes as a Japanese-inspired side dish.

What are Lentils - How to Store Lentils

Dried Lentils

Uncooked Dried Lentils

Dried lentils are very easy to store. Place the lentils in an airtight container, such as a large screw-top jar, and store them in the kitchen pantry. Keeping the dried lentils in a dry container and avoiding direct sunlight allows them to be stored for a very long time.

Cooked Dried Lentils

To store cooked lentils, drain and cool, then place them in an air-tight container. Stored this way, cooked lentils can last up to 5 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.

Canned Lentils

• Pantry - Canned lentils stored in your kitchen pantry can last a long time. Keep an eye on the expiry date printed on the can.
• Fridge - Once opened, store the contents of the canned lentils in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezer - Can lentils be frozen? Store the contents of the canned lentils in an air-tight container in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.

What are Lentils FAQs

What Food Group are Lentils?

• What are lentils classified as? Lentils are classified as a vegetable.
• What food family are lentils in? Lentils belong to the food family called legumes.

What are Lentils and How do They Grow?

Lentils are seeds that grow inside pods on lentil bushes. Each pod usually has one or two lentil seeds inside.

What Does a Lentil Plant Look Like?

A lentil plant is a slender bush that grows in height from about 8 to 28 inches (20-70cm), depending on the variety. They have flowers that range in color from white and purple to blue.

What are Lentils - Why Eat Lentils?

Lentils are good to eat as they are cheap to buy, easy to store, versatile to use, and above all, TASTY!

Which Lentils are the Best?

Not one type of lentil is the best; they are all different, with unique tastes, textures, and uses.

Where are Lentils Commonly Eaten?

Who Eats Lentils?

Lentils are a staple food for many people worldwide, including in India, Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

Are Lentils the Same as Beans?

Although beans and lentils belong to the legume family, lentils are different from beans.

Lentils are some of the smallest seeds in the legume family. Lentil plants also produce fewer seeds in one single pod than other legumes.

Meanwhile, beans are larger and produce more seeds in each pod. In addition, the difference between lentils and beans can also be seen in their shape. Beans have an oval or kidney shape, while lentils are typically tiny and lens-shaped.

Are Lentils a Bean or a Pea?

Lentils, beans, and peas are all in the legume family, but each is different in taste, shape, and size.

Are Lentils a Grain or a Bean?

Lentils are neither a bean nor a grain. Lentils and beans are both plants in the legume family, while grains such as rice and wheat are a cereal.

Are Peas a Lentil?

Peas and lentils are both legumes but are different types of plants.

What's the Difference Between Lentils and Chickpeas?

Are Chickpeas Lentils?

Lentils and chickpeas are different. They both belong to the legume family but are grown on different types of plants. Read my what are chickpeas article for everything you need to know about storing, seasoning, and cooking with dried and canned chickpeas and chickpea flour.

Can I Use Chickpeas Instead of Lentils?

You can use chickpeas instead of lentils in many dishes.

What are Lentils - Will Lentils Thicken Soup?

Lentils are often used to thicken soups:

1. Yellow and red lentils are the best to use as they are split lentils that break down easily to thicken the dish.
2. All lentils release starch while cooking which helps to thicken a soup.
3. Another way to thicken a soup is to mash some cooked lentils and add them back into the dish.

What to Eat With Lentil Soup

Here are 27+ ideas of what to eat with lentil soup when serving it as a main dish, a snack, or as a side. Enjoy!

Check out this recipe

What are Lentils - Are Lentils Healthy?

Lentils can be a healthy addition to a well-balanced diet. They are full of minerals, vitamins, potassium, folate, and carbohydrates and are an excellent source of protein.

What are Lentils – In Conclusion

Answering the question 'what are lentils' lets us know more about these delicious protein-packed legumes. Now it's just a matter of going to the kitchen and cooking with all the different types and varieties of lentils! Enjoy!

What are Lentils

What are Lentils - I will explain the differences in texture and taste of 6+ various colored lentils and how to use them in healthy and nutritious dishes.

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Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish, Soup

Author: Milly Chino

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried lentils green, red, brown, black beluga, yellow, or French du Puy
• 3 cups water broth or stock

Instructions

• Place the dried lentils in a sieve and rinse under running water. Remove any debris, discolored or broken lentils.
  
• Place the lentils and cooking liquid in a pot on the stove and bring to the boil. Turn down and simmer until the lentils are cooked. Refer to the cooking times in the notes section below.
  
• Drain and use.
  

Notes

Cooking Time for Soaked Lentils

Type of Lentil	Soaking Time	Cook Time
Green	6 - 8 hours	10 - 15 minutes
Brown	6 - 8 hours	10 - 12 minutes
Red	Soaking not necessary	9 - 12 minutes
Black Beluga	6 - 8 hours	20 - 25 minutes
French du Puy	Soaking not necessary	20 - 25 minutes
Yellow	Soaking not necessary	18 - 20 minutes

Cooking Time for Unsoaked Lentils

Type of Lentil	Soaking Time	Cook Time
Green	0 hours	25 - 30 minutes
Brown	0 hours	20 - 25 minutes
Red	0 hours	9 - 12 minutes
Black Beluga	0 hours	35 - 40 minutes
French du Puy	0 hours	20 - 25 minutes
Yellow	0 hours	18 - 20 minutes

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