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instant pot perfectly cooked lentils in a white bowl garnished with coriander leaves
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5 from 4 votes

Instant Pot Lentils

Learn 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.
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Mediterranean
Keyword how to cook lentils in instant pot, instant pot brown lentils, instant pot lentils
Diet Gluten-Free, Vegan
Method Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker, Stovetop
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 170kcal
Author Bhavana Patil

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.
    step to add rinsed lentils with water collage
  • 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.
    perfectly cooked brown lentils in a ladle collage
  • Enjoy immediately in salads, bowl, etc.
    instant pot perfectly cooked lentils in a white bowl garnished with coriander leaves

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

Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 459mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 4mg