Red lentils are a quick-cooking legume with a mild, subtly sweet flavor. They break down while cooking, which makes them perfect for savory dishes of all sorts. You can use red lentils in soups, stews, curries and even dips. Lentils also taste great on their own or mixed with roasted veggies. The possibilities are truly endless!
They’re chock-full of nutritional benefits and are an excellent source of fiber and iron, which makes them especially popular with vegans and vegetarians.
Cooking red lentils is easy, as they don’t require presoaking and can cook up in just 15 minutes! For a refreshing salad fit for summertime, try thisTomato Basil Lentil Salad. It’s fragrant, delicious and easy to throw together. You can enjoy it on its own, use it as a dip for tortilla chips or serve it alongside fish or chicken.
For something especially tasty in the cooler months, thisTortilla Soup with Red Lentils offers a fantastic twist on a classic favorite. Best of all, it’s vegan and packed with flavor! You can whip it up on the stovetop or if you’re pressed on time, you can even use your Instant Pot.
Of course, we can’t mention cooking red lentils without our favorite veggie burger recipe! TheseSpicy Veggie Burgers combine our red lentils with the Indian flavors of curry and cumin to give them an exotic flair. You can serve these burgers with lettuce, tomato and ketchup or take it a step further and serve them with chutney and mustard or amaranth greens.
There are many ways to experiment with cooking red lentils and however you’re choosing to incorporate this nutritional powerhouse into your diet, it’s bound to be delicious!
Rinse beans before using. Place lentils in a large pot with water and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until tender, 15-20 minutes. Drain before use.
Pressure Cooker Preparation
Sort and rinse lentils. Place in pressure cooker and add water and salt. Secure lid, set pressure to high and begin heating on high heat. When steam begins a steady flow from the release valve, reduce heat to medium and let cook for 3-5 minutes. When cooking time has completed, turn heat off and allow pressure to decrease naturally for 15 minutes. Carefully remove lid and drain water from lentils.
