40 Easy Lentil Recipes (2024)

If you’re looking for healthy and simple dinner recipes, you will love these 40 easy lentil recipes! Lentils are super versatile, packed with protein and nutrients, and extremely delicious.

I’m a huge fan of lentils. Red lentils, green lentils, and brown lentils – I love them all! I’ve some delicious vegan lentil recipes on the blog like my lentil loaf or red lentil fritters. Since I wanted to provide you with even more easy lentil recipes, I teamed up with some fellow food bloggers. And the outcome is this stunning list of lentil recipes!

I just wanna try all of them at once!

We’ve got you covered with so many lentil recipes that are perfect for dinner.We’ve got:

lentil soup recipes (instant pot and stovetop)
chilis and stews with lentils
tacos with lentils
lentil patties and fritters
lentil burgers
shepherd’s pie filled with lentils
dal
vegan meatballs made of lentils
creamy curries with lentils
and some delicious lentil salads

All of the lentil recipes are vegan, easy to make, and super delicious!

Are lentils gluten-free?

Yes, like beans and peas lentils are naturally gluten-free. So you won’t even find a “may contain” statement on dried or canned lentils. In most cases the risk of contamination is very low.

In fact, lentils are very good for people with celiac disease as they are very nutritious. However, be careful when you buy processed lentil products like canned lentil soup as for some people even the tiniest bit of gluten can cause problems. The seasoning might contain gluten. So just keep an eye out for any traces and check the labels.

Are lentils carbs?

Yes, lentils are carbs. They provide you with healthy, complex carbohydrates. Half a cup of cooked lentils has about 20 grams of slowly-digested carbs. However, this amount of lentils also contains 8 grams of fiber, which helps stabilize your blood sugars. Besides, it also helps your digestive system. So adding lentils to your diet is a very good idea!

If you’re on a strict low-carb diet, you have to go easy on lentils and beans. However, you can still profit from small amounts of these delicious legumes. You just have to reduce the serving size to keep your level of carb intake low.

But always keep in mind that lentils are healthy carbs and provide you with tons of nutrients. Cookies, ice cream, and cake on the other hand contain lots of carbs as well but little to zero nutritional value.

Are lentils good for you?

Yes, lentils are very good for you. They’re incredibly healthy!

Lentils are high in fibre and complex carbohydrates
They are low in fat and calories.
Lentils are a great source of protein for vegans and vegetarians.
They contain tons of vitamins and minerals (for example iron, folate, zinc, and vitamin B1)
Lentils are naturally gluten-free, which makes them a great staple for people withceliac disease.
Besides, they have a low glycemic index, so they’re also great for a diabetic diet
Lentils can improve digestion, help with diabetes control, and even weight loss.
Aaaaand lentils are super delicious and versatile!

So eat more lentils everyone!

Are lentils protein?

Yes, lentils are a great source of protein. One cup of lentils contains about 18 grams of protein.

However, lentils are considered an incomplete protein. This means they don’t have all nine essential amino acids. Eating them together with rice ensures that you have a complete protein. It doesn’t even necessarily have to be the same meal.

Are lentils legumes?

Yes, lentils are legumes.

Other legumes are:

peas
beans
chickpeas
soybeans
lupins
peanuts are botanically considered legumes as well

How are lentils grown?

Lentils are a cool-seasoned legume. Lentil seeds grow in pods, usually with two seeds in each pod.The seeds of lentils germinate in ten days. Then you have to wait 80 to 110 days to harvest them.

Now that we have all the important facts about lentils covered, let’s move on to the delicious part of this roundup. The lentil recipes!!

As always, click on the title underneath each photo for the recipe.

1.Vegetable Potato Fritters with Red Lentils

FAQs

What goes well with lentils? ›

If you have a few root vegetables hanging out in your fridge, those are also great with lentils, like in this warm lentil and root vegetable salad with parsnips and carrots. Lentils are particularly nice with cheese, as in this grilled halloumi and lentil salad.

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How do you make lentils less boring? ›

Never miss an opportunity to add more flavor to your lentils—they can take a LOT. Add a halved onion to your water/stock. Or crushed garlic. Or a bundle of herbs.

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How much does 1 cup uncooked lentils make? ›

As a general rule, one cup of dried lentils yields two to two-and-a-half cups of cooked lentils. Because of their rather delicate, earthy flavor, lentils work well in a variety of dishes and in almost any type of cuisine. The best time to add flavor to lentils is during the cooking process.

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Do you drain canned lentils before cooking? ›

Do you rinse canned lentils? It is not necessary to rinse canned lentils before cooking, but you can rinse them by emptying them into a strainer and under cold water. This can help to remove some of the sodium content from the liquid around the beans.

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Which color lentil is healthiest? ›

Black Lentils (Beluga lentils)

Best of all, black lentils are the most nutritious variety of lentils, boasting the highest amount of protein, plus high levels of calcium, potassium, and iron.

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What makes lentils taste better? ›

Think more like you're cooking pasta- you just need significantly more water than lentils. You can also use broth instead of adding an extra layer of flavor. I like adding a bay leaf, an onion cut in half, and a clove of garlic to add flavor to the lentils.

How to make lentils more palatable? ›

Cooking lentils slow and low, combining the right varieties among red lentils, green lentils, brown lentils etc., using freshly ground spices, and garnishing with fresh herbs can greatly improve the flavor and aroma of your dish.

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Do you cook lentils covered or uncovered? ›

Bring to a boil, cover tightly, reduce heat and simmer until they are tender. For whole lentils, cook time is typically 15-20 minutes. For split red lentils, cook time is typically only about 5-7 minutes.

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Can you eat lentils raw? ›

Raw lentils, like other legumes, contain a protein called lectin that binds to your digestive tract and can result in several toxic reactions, such as diarrhea and vomiting.

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Are lentils carbs or protein? ›

Lentils are high in fibre, and complex carbohydrates, while low in fat and calories. Their high protein content makes lentils a perfect option for those looking to boost their protein intake. They are naturally gluten-free, making them a delicious staple in a gluten-free kitchen.

How many cups of lentils for 2 people? ›

Cooking lentils on the stove: Method

Note: Dried out lentil varieties don't need to be soaked. 1 cup of dried lentils yields 2 1/2 cups of cooked lentils. Serving size per person is ¼ cup.

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Do you need to wash lentils? ›

Lentils do not require it but can be soaked in order to reduce cooking time by about half. Before cooking, rinse lentils in cold water, pick over to remove debris or shrivelled lentils, then drain.

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What is the white stuff in canned lentils? ›

Turns out bean goo is less terrifying than you might think: In most cases, it's just water and salt, along with starches naturally produced by the beans. Goya Foods, for example, cans its beans with salt and water to create a brine, which keeps them tasting fresh (in other words, the salt is a preservative).

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Can I eat lentils every day? ›

Most people can enjoy lentils as part of their regular diet without any concern. But lentils also contain natural compounds called anti-nutrients. These substances bind with nutrients like iron and zinc, making them harder for our bodies to absorb. Soaking and cooking lentils can help reduce this effect.

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What to pair with lentils for complete protein? ›

Alternatively, a full complement of amino acids can be achieved by pairing lentils with whole grains such as rice or wheat. Lentils are also a great source of fiber, vitamin B1 and folic acid, and are naturally gluten-free.

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Are lentils carbs or proteins? ›

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Should you eat lentils with rice? ›

Foods that have all 9 essential amino acids are called “complete” proteins. Foods that lack one or more essential amino acids are called “incomplete”. Lentils and rice are both “incomplete” proteins, but pairing them together will form a “complete” protein.

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