Instant Pot Lentils

Instant Pot Lentils are a great high-protein, low-calorie side dish, or a healthy option for the base of a bowl! They're easy to make with less than 5 minutes of prep time and just 10 minutes of cook time in the Instant Pot.

Simply season the lentils with salt, or add your favorite seasoning blend to pair the lentils with a variety of dishes from different cuisines!

Lentils are a nutritious addition to a balanced diet. In addition to plenty of protein, lentils offer fiber, potassium, magnesium, zinc, B vitamins, and iron. Lentils are pulses, which are also known as the edible seeds of legumes.

This includes dry peas, beans, lentils and chickpeas. Pulses are known for being nutritional powerhouses, that are also affordable and sustainable!

Cooking lentils in a pressure cooker is so easy. Plus it reduces the cooking time that it takes to traditionally make lentils on the stovetop.

Once they're cooked, you can enjoy them immediately as a side dish with different flavor variations. You can use them in recipes, or even freeze them for later!

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Step by step instructions
• Different types of lentils
• Seasoning options
• What to serve with it
• Frequently asked questions
• More Instant Pot recipes
• Recipe
• Comments

Ingredients

• Lentils - for this recipe you can use brown or green lentils. Other lentils like red and yellow cook quicker, and therefore will not work the same in this recipe.
• Vegetable broth - you can also use water, but I highly recommend using broth for more flavor. If you're not vegetarian, you can also use chicken broth in place of the vegetable broth.
• Salt - salt is great for a basic lentil recipe, but if you'd like to spice things up, you can add a variety of seasonings, instead of the salt. See the section below for other seasoning options.

Step by step instructions

1. Rinse the lentils under fresh water to remove any debris from the lentils. Add the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth and salt to an Instant Pot. Stir until the lentils are covered in the liquid.
2. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the steam release valve to the sealing position. Set the timer to high for 10 minutes and pressure cook on high pressure.
3. Once the cooking time is done, allow a natural pressure release on the Instant Pot for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining steam.

Different types of lentils

Brown Lentils - These are the most common variety and are on the larger side. They cook up quickly and split open for a slightly mushy texture. They have a mild earthy flavor that's great for soups and stews or dips.

Green Lentils - Another common type of lentil that are very similar to brown lentils but have a more peppery taste. These also hold their shape a bit more than the brown ones which makes them better for recipes like salads or when you want a more al dente texture.

Red Lentils - In addition to a red hue, these can also be yellow or orange in color. They cook quickly and are often used in Indian dishes, such as dal. Their flavor is slightly sweet and nutty.

Puy Lentils - Also known as French lentils, these have a speckled appearance. Their skin is thick allowing them to retain their shape better than other varieties, however this also increases the cooking time.

Black Lentils - This dark variety is also referred to as beluga due to their resemblance to caviar. They are the most flavorful of all of the lentils and can retain shape well, but they can also be cooked longer until they split.

Seasoning options

Lentils are a blank slate. They really take on any flavor that you add to them, which is why I always recommend cooking them in broth, instead of water.

You can also add flavor to the lentils by adding minced onion and garlic, or fresh herbs, like thyme, rosemary or oregano. Or swap out the salt for a teaspoon of any of the following seasoning mixes.

• Moroccan seasoning
• Taco seasoning
• Shawarma seasoning
• Jamaican jerk seasoning
• Fajita seasoning
• Cajun seasoning
• Italian seasoning

If adding minced onion or garlic, I recommend sautéing these in a teaspoon of olive oil in the Instant Pot before adding the lentils, vegetable broth and any other seasoning. The fresh herbs can be added after the vegetable broth. The flavor of the herbs will be released as the lentils cook in the Instant Pot.

For even more flavor, you can also finish the lentils by adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a garnish of fresh parsley after they've been cooked.

What to serve with it

Lentils are great in so many recipes! Classic uses include soups, Dal or stew, salads, dips and spreads, or as a meat substitute.

As mentioned above you can enjoy them on their own as a side dish with a variety of seasonings. They also make a great high-protein base for bowls!

Here are some ideas for how to use lentils:

• Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala with Lentils
• Lentil Quinoa Salad
• Instant Pot Lentil Soup Recipe
• Serve alongside Meatballs and veggies, like Air Fryer Zucchini
• Add to this Roasted Indian Cauliflower Bowl
• Mix into this Vegan Harissa Broccoli Bowl for added protein
• Sprinkle over the top of a Greek Cauliflower Rice Salad
• Substitute for quinoa in this Za'atar Roasted Veggie Bowl

Frequently asked questions

• Should you soak lentils before cooking? No, it is not necessary to soak lentils before cooking them in an Instant Pot.
• Are lentils gluten free? Yes, lentils are a naturally gluten free legume.
• Are lentils protein or carbs? Both! The exact amount will vary for each type of lentil, but one cup will generally contain around 40 grams of carbohydrates and 18 grams of protein.
• Can you meal prep lentils? You sure can! Once lentils have been cooked they will keep for up to 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
• How do you store lentils? Dried lentils can be kept in a cool, dry place in an airtight container for up to one year. Cooked lentils can be sealed in a freezer-safe bag or airtight storage container, and refrigerated for up to 5-7 days, or frozen for 6 months. To defrost frozen lentils, move them from the freezer to the refrigerator 24 hours before using them in a recipe.
• What's the best way to reheat lentils? Reheating cooked lentils is easily done in the microwave. Simply place the lentils in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 2 minutes. You can also reheat them in a pot on the stove over medium heat. You may want to add 1-2 tablespoons water so that the cooked lentils don't dry out as you reheat them.

More Instant Pot recipes

Don't just stop with lentils, use your Instant Pot to make tons of delicious recipes!

• Instant Pot Sushi Rice
• Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
• Whole30 Instant Pot Thai Beef
• Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto
• Instant Pot Beef Ragu

Recipe