Recipe by Chef Michael Williams

Red Lentils

Prep time 3 mins
Cook time 10 mins

Read Reviews (10)

Red lentils are a super quick cooking legume ready in 10 minutes or less! So they are perfect for that last minute healthy addition to a meal. They are very high in protein, 3rd overall as far as plant based foods go and they are high in iron, vita

Ingredients

½ cup red lentils
1 cup water
Pinch of salt

Directions

Give your lentils a rinse and then drain very well. Add to a small pot with the water and salt and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered for about 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and let the lentils sit until all or most of the water is absorbed.
Give a good stir and then serve with your favourite protein, and lots of veggies. This is also a natural fit for curry dishes and soups alike or use in place of rice in stir-fry’s or noodles in pasta.

Variations

You can use broth instead of water to bump up the flavour, but I like adding spices. Cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, chilli powder etc. Add in anywhere from ¼ to 1 teaspoon depending on your taste preferences and see what flavours you like best.

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Reviews on "Red Lentils" (10)

June 30, 2020

This recipe was perfect! Perfect ratios and timing. I have been daunted by cooking lentils on the stove for a while now (I always use the slow cooker) but decided to try a quicker approach today. Thank you for making it so easy to get the nutrition from lentils I’ve missing! Going to use this all the time.

- Kate

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February 13, 2021

The lentils turned out mushy and wet and ruined the dish they were intended for.

- Anonymous

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February 27, 2021

I absolutely LOVE this recipe!! Thank you so much for figuring out what to do with overcooked lentils. My first time making red lentils was a disaster. And this recipe saved me. And now I have a new favorite!! Maybe I won’t ever learn how to make red lentils the right way. I just want to have this dish!

- Phoebe Fazio

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August 10, 2021

Fast. Easy. Delicious. This one was dead on.

- Dee

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October 4, 2021

Forget the fast food places, restaurants, pre-packaged foods, etc. Cook your own food. it is more nutritious, is not filled with chemicals, and, like this recipe, can also be very quick to cook. Homemade is the only way to go.

- Janna

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November 2, 2021

We need to get back to eating whole foods and cooking from scratch. This is the healthy way to eat and is much less expensive as well. The old ways are the best ways. These "humble" foods are so good for you. People, get away from the processed foods. They are void of nutrition and filled with chemicals as well as tons of sugars. YHWH God has given us everything we need to maintain health. We need to live a more natural lifestyle and walk away from the man-made junk.

- Janna

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November 21, 2021

Worked perfectly - thanks.

- Nikki

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October 22, 2022

Ever since I read your directions of proper cooking don red lentils I have incorporated them into my diet every week: lentil hummus, lentil and oat burgers, lentil loaf (because I don't enjoy it when made with green, canned lentils, I could go on and on. Thank you for posting the proper directions!

- Sharon

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- October 22, 2022
  
  Thank you for letting us know Sharon! Happy Cooking!
  
  - countrygrocer
  
  Reply
March 9, 2023

Starting a new lifestyle of eating! First time ever eating and ever cooking a red lentil. Purchased at my local grocer. In search for a simple recipe to try I came across yours, read reviews and said okay I’ll give it a try. I gathered my ingredients, beef broth, cumin, chili powder, ground ginger and ground turmeric 1/4tsp ea. followed the directions to a T. All I can now say is thank you. This recipe is easy, quick, flavorful has a nice little crunch and quite delicious. Next time I’ll cut back on the broth (too much sodium) and stick with the water only. I’m sold!

- Anonymous

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