How to cook Lentils?

An overhead shot of raw salad ingredients including fresh broccoli florets, French green lentils, a whole jalapeño, a shallot, olive oil, and preserved lemons.

Nora Bourdeau

Learn how to cook lentils and make the most of this amazing nutritious and tasty legume. They're a fantastic way to add protein to salads, side dishes, and more.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Total Time 35

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 344 kcal

Ingredients

½ cup lentils
3 cups water or vegetable stock or chicken broth
1 onion peeled and cut in half
1 bay leave
1-2 cloves garlic

Instructions

Bring water (or broth), onions, bay leaves, garlic and lentils to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
½ cup lentils, 3 cups water, 1 onion, 1 bay leave, 1-2 cloves garlic
Cook on low for 20-30 minutes or until tender.
Drain the water (or broth) and set the lentils aside to cool to room temperature before adding to salads or recipes.
Discard the bay leaf, half onion, and garlic before incorporating the cooked lentils into your dishes.

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 25gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 42mgPotassium: 929mgFiber: 29gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 44IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 81mgIron: 7mg

Keyword Budget-Friendly, high fiber, meal prep, Plant-Based Protein

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