A recipe for how to cook perfect (Brown or Green) Lentils every time using the Instant pot pressure cooker. Lentils are a great source of plant-based protein and are delicious. Vegan and Gluten-free.
Cooking lentils is so much easier in the Instant pot pressure cooker. A hands-free cooking process with no soaking lentils in advance. Just put them in liquid, pressure cook, and you get perfectly cooked lentils. These lentils hold their shape when cooked, making them perfect in salads, bowls, tacos, etc.
You can substitute water with vegetable broth and add some seasonings to make the lentils more flavorful.
I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT.
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Ingredients
- Lentils: I used brown lentils in this recipe. You can also use green lentils, or French green lentils, as they can hold their shape after cooking and are flavorful. You can easily find them in your local stores in the USA. Note: At Indian grocery stores, you will find brown lentils in the name of "Whole Masoor Dal". They have a greenish-brown color.
- Water (or vegetable broth): for cooking lentils. To add more flavor, substitute water with vegetable broth.
- Seasonings: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper as per taste. You can also add other seasonings like bay leaves, cumin seeds, fresh or dried herbs, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, as per your preference.
How to Cook Brown Lentils in Instant Pot
Rinse brown lentils under water 1-2 times to remove any dust or debris, and drain.
Add rinsed brown lentils, water (or vegetable broth), salt, pepper, and bay leaf, in the instant pot insert.
Close the lid securely, and turn the vent to "SEALING". Select the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL (High Pressure) setting and set the cooking time to 6 to 8 minutes for al dente lentils or 10 to 12 minutes for softer lentils.
When the Instant Pot beeps, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then release any remaining pressure before removing the lid for al dente lentils.
Enjoy immediately in salads, bowl, etc.
How to Cook Brown Lentils on the Stovetop?
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add 1 cup of rinsed lentils with 3 cups of water. Add seasonings of your choice.
- Bring the liquid to a boil, and reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20-22 minutes or until the lentils are al dente. For softer lentils, cook for 30-35 minutes.
- Once done, drain the lentils. Adjust the seasoning at this stage. Enjoy.
How to Serve These Lentils?
Lentils can be served in salads, grain bowls, tacos, and wraps. They can also be used to make soups, curries, or lentil burgers.
Storage Suggestions
- Store: You can store the leftovers, in the fridge in an airtight container for 4-5 days.
- Freeze: You can freeze the leftovers in a freezer-safe container or ziplock for up to 2 months. Make sure to thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Reheat: You can sprinkle some water and reheat these on the stovetop pot or the microwave until warm.
Tips to make the Best Instant Pot Lentils
- Water: Lentil Ratio - Using the correct water-to-lentil ratio and cooking time makes the perfect tender lentils. For a firmer texture, cook for 6-8 minutes, and softer texture, cook for up to 10-12 minutes.
- No Soaking: There is no need to soak the lentils, but you should rinse them off to remove the dust.
- Vegetable Broth - To add more flavor to the lentils, cook lentils with vegetable broth instead of water.
- Herbs - Fresh herbs like coriander leaves or parsley sprinkled over the cooked lentils taste delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are different kinds of lentils available in the market. Some of the common types of lentils are
Whole brown lentil
Green lentil
French green
Black beluga
Ley puy green lentil
Red lentil
Yellow lentils
Yes, it is recommended to rinse the lentils before cooking to remove any dust or debris.
You don't have to soak the lentils like other beans/pulses when making them in the Instant Pot. Make sure to rinse them to remove dust or debris before cooking.
Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker or crockpot with an extra cup of water and set it to high for three hours or low for six hours. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or on LOW for 6-8 hours. Time depends on your slow cooker brand, as not all cook at the same temperature.
1 cup of dried brown lentils yields about 2 to 2 ½ cups of cooked lentils. It is about 4 servings.
More Instant Pot Basic Recipes
- Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
- Instant Pot Sona Masoori Rice
- Instant Pot Calrose Rice
- Instant Pot Chickpeas
- Instant Pot Quinoa
- Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables
More Instant Pot Lentil Recipes
- Brown Lentil Dal - Dal cooked with whole masoor dal.
- Whole Green Moong dal – Dal cooked with whole mung beans.
- Green Lentil Soup – Lentil soup is made with green lentils, carrots, celery, red bell pepper, and Indian spices.
- Masoor Dal - Dal made with split red lentils.
- Spinach Dal / Palak Dal – Dhal cooked with spinach leaves.
- Butternut Squash Dal - Dal cooked with butternut squash or pumpkin.
Instant Pot Lentils
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried brown lentils (or green lentils)
- 1 ¾ cups water (or vegetable broth)
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 bay leaf optional
Instructions
- Rinse brown lentils under water 1-2 times to remove any dust or debris, and drain.
Instant Pot Method
- Add rinsed brown lentils, water (or vegetable broth), salt, pepper, and bay leaf, in the instant pot insert.
- Close the lid securely, and turn the vent to "SEALING". Select the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL (High Pressure) setting and set the cooking time to 6 to 8 minutes for al dente lentils or 10 to 12 minutes for softer lentils.
- When the instant pot beeps, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then release any remaining pressure before removing the lid for al dente lentils.
- Enjoy immediately in salads, bowl, etc.
Stovetop Pot Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add 1 cup of rinsed lentils with 3 cups of water. Add seasonings of your choice.
- Bring the liquid to a boil, and reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20-22 minutes or until the lentils are al dente. For softer lentils, cook for 30-35 minutes.
- Once done, drain the lentils. Adjust the seasonings at this stage. Enjoy.
Notes
Tips to make the Best Instant Pot Lentils
- Water: Lentil Ratio - Using the correct water-to-lentil ratio and cooking time makes the perfect tender lentils. For a firmer texture, cook for 6-8 minutes, and softer texture, cook for up to 10-12 minutes.
- No Soaking: There is no need to soak the lentils, but you should rinse them off to remove the dust.
- Vegetable Broth - To add more flavor to the lentils, cook lentils with vegetable broth instead of water.
- Herbs - Fresh herbs like coriander leaves or parsley sprinkled over the cooked lentils taste delicious.
Nutrition
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