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Cup of cooked red lentils with naan bread in the background
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5 from 3 votes

How to cook red lentils

Learn how to cook red lentils perfectly every time on the stove or in the instant pot.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 4
Calories: 189kcal
Author: Maria

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup red lentils rinsed
  • 3 cups vegetable broth if cooking on the stove
  • cups vegetable broth if cooking in an instant pot
  • ½ onion diced
  • 1 teaspoon oil
  • salt to taste

Instructions

Stovetop instructions

  • Rinse the red lentils and take out any pebbles. Dice the onion.
  • Heat up the oil on medium heat in a large sauce pan. Once the oil is hot, add the diced onion and sauté until golden brown.
    1 teaspoon oil, ½ onion
  • Add the rinsed lentils to the saucepan and 3 cups of vegetable broth or water. Add ¼ teaspoon of salt if not using vegetable broth. Add in any seasonings of choice.
    1 cup red lentils, 3 cups vegetable broth, salt
  • Cover and bring to a low simmer. Simmer for 8 minutes for firmer lentils and 10-15 minutes for mushier lentils.

Instant pot directions

  • Set the instant pot to sauté mode and add the oil. Let it heat up for a minute. Add in the diced onion and sauté until lightly golden.
    1 teaspoon oil, ½ onion
  • Add in the rinsed lentils and 2½ cups of vegetable broth or water. Add in any seasonings or flavors that you'd like. Add ¼ teaspoon of salt if you only used water.
    1 cup red lentils, 2½ cups vegetable broth
  • Cover and seal the lid. Cook on high pressure for 2 minutes for firmer lentils and 4 minutes for creamier lentils. Quick release when done

Notes

These taste really good if you add them to a pasta sauce and serve with some pasta. This makes a nice high protein pasta sauce with a nice texture. 
 
I don't usually cook lentils on their own like this unless I'm adding them to a pasta sauce. The best way to use red lentils is to add them to a red lentil soup or make a curry out of them. 

Nutrition

Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1296mg | Potassium: 450mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 706IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 3mg