40 Easy Lentil Recipes (2024)

If you’re looking for healthy and simple dinner recipes, you will love these 40 easy lentil recipes! Lentils are super versatile, packed with protein and nutrients, and extremely delicious.

I’m a huge fan of lentils. Red lentils, green lentils, and brown lentils – I love them all! I’ve some delicious vegan lentil recipes on the blog like my lentil loaf or red lentil fritters. Since I wanted to provide you with even more easy lentil recipes, I teamed up with some fellow food bloggers. And the outcome is this stunning list of lentil recipes!

I just wanna try all of them at once!

We’ve got you covered with so many lentil recipes that are perfect for dinner.We’ve got:

lentil soup recipes (instant pot and stovetop)
chilis and stews with lentils
tacos with lentils
lentil patties and fritters
lentil burgers
shepherd’s pie filled with lentils
dal
vegan meatballs made of lentils
creamy curries with lentils
and some delicious lentil salads

All of the lentil recipes are vegan, easy to make, and super delicious!

Are lentils gluten-free?

Yes, like beans and peas lentils are naturally gluten-free. So you won’t even find a “may contain” statement on dried or canned lentils. In most cases the risk of contamination is very low.

In fact, lentils are very good for people with celiac disease as they are very nutritious. However, be careful when you buy processed lentil products like canned lentil soup as for some people even the tiniest bit of gluten can cause problems. The seasoning might contain gluten. So just keep an eye out for any traces and check the labels.

Are lentils carbs?

Yes, lentils are carbs. They provide you with healthy, complex carbohydrates. Half a cup of cooked lentils has about 20 grams of slowly-digested carbs. However, this amount of lentils also contains 8 grams of fiber, which helps stabilize your blood sugars. Besides, it also helps your digestive system. So adding lentils to your diet is a very good idea!

If you’re on a strict low-carb diet, you have to go easy on lentils and beans. However, you can still profit from small amounts of these delicious legumes. You just have to reduce the serving size to keep your level of carb intake low.

But always keep in mind that lentils are healthy carbs and provide you with tons of nutrients. Cookies, ice cream, and cake on the other hand contain lots of carbs as well but little to zero nutritional value.

Are lentils good for you?

Yes, lentils are very good for you. They’re incredibly healthy!

Lentils are high in fibre and complex carbohydrates
They are low in fat and calories.
Lentils are a great source of protein for vegans and vegetarians.
They contain tons of vitamins and minerals (for example iron, folate, zinc, and vitamin B1)
Lentils are naturally gluten-free, which makes them a great staple for people withceliac disease.
Besides, they have a low glycemic index, so they’re also great for a diabetic diet
Lentils can improve digestion, help with diabetes control, and even weight loss.
Aaaaand lentils are super delicious and versatile!

So eat more lentils everyone!

Are lentils protein?

Yes, lentils are a great source of protein. One cup of lentils contains about 18 grams of protein.

However, lentils are considered an incomplete protein. This means they don’t have all nine essential amino acids. Eating them together with rice ensures that you have a complete protein. It doesn’t even necessarily have to be the same meal.

Are lentils legumes?

Yes, lentils are legumes.

Other legumes are:

peas
beans
chickpeas
soybeans
lupins
peanuts are botanically considered legumes as well

How are lentils grown?

Lentils are a cool-seasoned legume. Lentil seeds grow in pods, usually with two seeds in each pod.The seeds of lentils germinate in ten days. Then you have to wait 80 to 110 days to harvest them.

Now that we have all the important facts about lentils covered, let’s move on to the delicious part of this roundup. The lentil recipes!!

As always, click on the title underneath each photo for the recipe.

1.Vegetable Potato Fritters with Red Lentils

FAQs

How much does 1 cup dry lentils make? ›

As a general rule, one cup of dried lentils yields two to two-and-a-half cups of cooked lentils. Because of their rather delicate, earthy flavor, lentils work well in a variety of dishes and in almost any type of cuisine.

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Are lentils good for your gut? ›

Lentils are rich in a type of fiber that helps your digestive system work as it should and fuels good bacteria in your gut. Fiber may also help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. “Fiber plays an important role in regulating our bowels and protecting the immune system,” says Homan.

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What are the best tasting lentils? ›

Black Beluga lentils have the most flavor, adding a rich, earthy taste and a firm texture that holds up well during cooking. Black lentils will be ready in 20–25 minutes; however, they will fall apart like their brown, green, and red partners once you cook them for too long.

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How long to soak lentils to reduce gas? ›

Aim to soak your beans or lentils for at least 4 hours, and preferably overnight. Dump the soaking water (i.e. don't use it to cook the beans). Then be sure to give your beans/lentils a good rinse before cooking to wash away those gas-producing carbohydrates. Introduce them slowly.

What can I put in lentils to prevent gas? ›

Cooking beans with a large strip of dried kombu, a Japanese dried kelp, may minimise their gas-producing properties too. This strong-smelling spice, often known as “hing”, offers relief from stomach gas. Add a small pinch to dal or khichadi - a rice and lentil dish.

Do you throw out water after soaking lentils? ›

Soaking lentils for at least 4 hours, mostly overnight depending on the beans or lentils you choose helps in optimising gastrointestinal functions. However, discard the water used for soaking and after cooking lentils or beans ensure to rinse them well, so that any gas-producing carbohydrates are eliminated.

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How much is 1 cup of lentils? ›

Though different types of lentils may vary slightly in their nutrient content, 1 cup (198 grams) of cooked lentils generally provides the following ( 4 ): Calories: 230. Carbs: 39.9 grams. Protein: 17.9 grams.

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How to cook 1 cup of lentils? ›

Cook on a stovetop, using 3 cups of liquid (water, stock, etc) to 1 cup of dry lentils. Be sure to use a large enough saucepan as the lentils will double or triple in size. Bring to a boil, cover tightly, reduce heat and simmer until they are tender. For whole lentils, cook time is typically 15-20 minutes.

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How much is 2 cups dried lentils? ›

One pound (16 ounces or 453.59 grams) of dry lentils typically translates to about 2 US cups.

Can I substitute dry lentils for canned? ›

As a simple guide, if you're replacing dried lentils in a recipe for canned (or just adding them in), for every ½ c, add an additional 1 ½ – 2 cups of liquid. Here's a simple but hearty soup recipe, Black Bean, Lentil & Chilli Soup using brown lentils to get you started.