Instant Pot Lentils

Learn how to cook lentils in the Instant Pot in 1 minute! This easy method will give you perfectly al dente lentils every time for an easy side dish, to stretch ground beef, or to freeze for future meals.

My Instant Pot is a kitchen appliance I turn to over and over again.

From perfect Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs to perfect Instant Pot brown rice to perfect Instant Pot mashed potatoes, everything comes out…well…perfect!

Which is why I love making Instant Pot lentils.

Not only do they come out just how I like them (perfectly cooked and not too soft), but I don’t have to worry about making a mess on the stove anymore!

Which is pretty much what happens when I cook lentils on the stove.

I boil the water, add the lentils, and walk away…

Completely forgetting about the lentils simmering until I hear a hard hissing sound. Which is either water boiling over onto the stove, or the sound of lentils burning on the bottom of the pot.

Thankfully, learning how to cook lentils in the Instant Pot eliminates both of those problems!

INSTANT POT LENTILS

You can cook lentils on the stove, but I love making Instant Pot lentils because:

• It’s foolproof.
• You can set the timer and walk away. You don’t have to check on them every few minutes!
• They come out perfectly tender, every time.
• It frees my hands for other things.

Most importantly, you can make a 2x or 3x batch in the same amount of time!

This makes meal prepping or getting ahead for the next day a real possibility!

INGREDIENTS FOR COOKING LENTILS

For the simplest lentils recipe, you only need two ingredients:

1. Dried lentils (green, brown, or black, not red or yellow)
2. Water

You CAN add other spices like bay leaf, garlic, or onion, but I like to make my lentils plain so they can be used in a variety of recipes. I tend to skip the salt too and only season with my finished dish.

The flavor of garlic and onion might be good in a soup or stew, but not necessarily in a salad with strawberries!

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GREEN LENTILS AND BROWN LENTILS?

There are a few different kinds of lentils. Depending on the recipe you are using you may want to choose a specific type of lentils. Green lentils, also called French green lentils, are the most versatile, along with brown lentils. Black lentils or beluga lentils can also be used in most recipes calling for brown or green.

However, red lentils and yellow lentils are NOT the same and will disintegrate as they cook in the Instant Pot, so don’t try to substitute! These lentils cook faster and can’t withstand the pressure cooker.

HOW TO COOK LENTILS IN THE INSTANT POT

Step 1: Rinse lentils in a fine mesh sieve in cool water and remove any debris. Measure lentils and water in the Instant Pot. (Here is the Instant Pot I have.)

Step 2: Seal the Instant Pot, set the timer, and walk away (but not too far!).

Step 3: Use the quick pressure release when the timer goes off. Drain the lentils, rinse with cold water, and serve!

After cooking lentils can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. I like to freeze mine in 1-cup portions in freezer bags, which I flatten before freezing to take up less space.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH COOKED LENTILS

• I like to add cooked lentils to my lunch salads or even our main meal dinner salads.
• Cooked lentils are a great way to stretch ground beef.
• If you mix them with sun-dried tomatoes and Homemade Greek Dressing, they’re an easy flavorful side dish.
• Green lentils are the star of my Lentil Macaroni.
• Add cooked lentils to Easy Minestrone Soup instead of white beans (or add both for extra flavor and protein!).
• Serve lentils alongside Yellow Rice or 5-Minute Greek Couscous.
• Substitute lentils in these Stuffed Peppers for a vegan or vegetarian version of a classic dinner.
• Make lentil soup or try any of your favorite lentil recipes!

HOW TO COOK GREEN LENTILS FAQS

MORE EASY INSTANT POT SIDE DISHES

• Simple Instant Pot Beans
• One Minute Instant Pot Quinoa
• Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables
• Creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Instant Pot Yellow Rice