21 Best Lentil Recipes (2024)

We have for you 21 delicious lentil recipes that are vegetarian, wholesome, and probably the best ways to eat lentils every day. These recipes are easy to follow, budget-friendly, and require a few basic pantry staples.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (1)Pin

About Lentils…

Lentils and legumes are a great source of vegan, gluten-free plant-based protein. What else I love about lentils? They are inexpensive, easy to store, fulfilling, and highly versatile ingredient.

I am listing 21 Best Lentil Recipes that will teach you how to eat lentil deliciously.

Lentil Salads, Soups & Stew:

Instant Pot Lentil Soup (Mulligatawny)

Mulligatawny Soup is classic gluten-free, vegan, one-pot creamy lentil soup. It has lentils, rice, vegetables, spices, and my favorite coconut milk. All these fulfilling ingredients make this 10 minute instant pot soup a perfect weeknight dinner.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (2)Pin

Mediterranean Style Lentil Salad

Lentil Salad is the best way to eat lentils with a lot of veggies, greens, herbs soaked in a flavorsome dressing. It is a wholesome, nutritious, fulfilling salad perfect for the summer season.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (3)Pin

Lentil Waffles

These vegan waffles are no ordinary waffles, I addedred lentilsto give them some protein boost. Intrigued enough to read further?

21 Best Lentil Recipes (4)Pin

Red Lentil Tortilla Soup

We all love easy, healthyDump & Start Red Lentil Tortilla Soup isn’t it! This Tex Mex Red Lentil Tortilla Soup is ready in minutes in yourInstant Pot / Pressure Cooker.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (5)Pin

Gluten-Free Lentil Cutlet

Gluten-Free Masoor Dal Cutlet Recipe is a satiating party appetizer or teatime snack with a crisp exterior and soft kebab like texture underneath. Serve these cutlets with the dip of your choice.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (6)Pin

Red Lentil Carrot Soup

This red lentil and carrot soup is an easy and delicious dairy-free soup that is perfect for a chilly winter day. It’s incredibly easy to make, made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, and comes together in just about 30 minutes!

21 Best Lentil Recipes (7)Pin

Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Stew

This is an instant pot-friendly, vegan lentil stew recipe. It has lentils, seasonal veggies, and all things comforting you need in a perfect one-pot meal.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (8)Pin

Instant Pot Ethiopian Lentil Stew

Misir Wot is a healthy, protein-packed Ethiopian stew made with lentils, and a flavorful spice mix called Berbere. This EASY Instant Pot recipe is quick to make and served with rice makes a complete meal.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (9)Pin

Lentil Falafel

Made with lentils instead of chickpeas, this lentil falafel isn’t your average falafel and makes for a great addition to salads and sandwiches.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (10)Pin

Lentil Curry & Main Course:

Dal Makhani

Dal Makhani is the hearty, creamy, mildly flavored Indian dal recipe. It’s buttery texture simply melts in the mouth. Hence, it is just perfect to dip naan or serve as a main-dish with jeera rice.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (11)Pin

Lentil Rogan Josh

This vegetarian rogan josh is packed with wholesome ingredients – it’s healthy comfort food for chilly days. This aubergine curry is vegetarian/ vegan and a great way to satisfy a curry craving.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (12)Pin

Red Lentil Curry

Quick and easy Red Lentil Curry, also known as Masoor Dal, made in the instant pot and stovetop. This super delicious, healthy and budget-friendly vegan meal can be made in less than 30 minutes!

21 Best Lentil Recipes (13)Pin

Oats Lentil Porridge

Oats Khichdi is an Indian style oats porridge packed with vegetables and yellow moong dal. It’s a fabulous vegetarian one-pot casserole meal cooked in a pressure.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (14)Pin

Instant Pot Lentil Chilli

Lentil Chilli is so chunky and hearty, even meat-lovers will be pleased. Thanks to a combination of beans, lentils and butternut squash, this vegetarian chili recipe will rival any meat-based chili out there.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (15)Pin

Lentil Ragu Bolognese

Spaghetti with lentil sauce, sometimes called lentil bolognese or lentil ragu, is a hearty, traditional dish from Italy. Nutritious and packed with protein, it is great for vegetarians, vegans and anyone who loves Italian food.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (16)Pin

Lentil Shepherd Pie

This vegan shepherd’s pie ispacked with plant-based proteinand incredible flavors!It’s so easy to make, and ready in under an hour. Serve this for special occasions, a wintery dinner, or pack it for lunch. Great for meal prep, and suitable for freezing.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (17)Pin

Red Lentil Tacos

his easyRed Lentil Tacos Recipeis the perfect weeknight meatless meal that the whole family will love! An easy Vegetarian Taco Meat is ready to eat in under 30 minutes, making it a simple, quick, and healthy meal.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (18)Pin

Spinach Chana Dal

Spinach Chana Dal is a healthy, wholesome, gluten-free Indian style chana dal with spinach. It is super easy and quick to prepare in a pressure cooker.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (19)Pin

Madras Lentils

Madras Lentils is a delicious and satisfying vegetarian dish from Northern India. Full of bold flavors from ginger, cumin, chili powder, and more, this plant-based dish is easy to make and perfect for weeknights!

21 Best Lentil Recipes (20)Pin

Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry

This easy to make Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry is a healthy vegan recipe that makes a perfect meatless Monday dinner recipe.It takes less than an hour (mostly hands-off time) to make and is packed full of delicious Indian flavors.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (21)Pin

Indian Lentil Khichdi

Dal Khichdiis an Indianstyle lentil and rice one-pot, gluten-free dish. Khichdi is wholesome, fulfilling and a comforting vegetarian Indian food recipe.Dal Khichdilaced with ghee and served with pickle, sliced onions, and raita is an absolute family favorite lunch.

21 Best Lentil Recipes (22)Pin

You might also like:

Instant Pot Lentil Stew RecipeChicken Pad Thai RecipeStir Fry Pasta With VegetablesThai Red Curry with Chicken
21 Best Lentil Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What makes lentils taste better? ›

Think more like you're cooking pasta- you just need significantly more water than lentils. You can also use broth instead of adding an extra layer of flavor. I like adding a bay leaf, an onion cut in half, and a clove of garlic to add flavor to the lentils.

What happens if you don't rinse lentils? ›

While not rinsing lentils may not pose an immediate safety risk, it is generally recommended to rinse them before cooking to ensure a cleaner and more enjoyable meal. If you have already cooked the soup, you can still enjoy it, but be mindful of any potential debris or grit that may be present.

What is the best thing to eat with lentils? ›

If you have a few root vegetables hanging out in your fridge, those are also great with lentils, like in this warm lentil and root vegetable salad with parsnips and carrots. Lentils are particularly nice with cheese, as in this grilled halloumi and lentil salad.

How do I get the most out of my lentils? ›

Boil, then simmer

Once you've got your liquid and aromatics in, bring it all to a boil. Then immediately turn down the heat and simmer the mixture, covered, for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then continue to simmer, uncovered, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the lentils are just tender.

What can I add to lentils to reduce gas? ›

Cumin seeds or ground cumin helps with digestion and is perfect in a soup, curry or dal (lentil dish). Carom seeds, fennel seeds, turmeric and peppermint are other great digestive aids. Cooking beans with a large strip of dried kombu, a Japanese dried kelp, may minimise their gas-producing properties too.

Should you soak lentils before eating? ›

Yes, soaking lentils activates a substance called amylase, which breaks down complex starch in lentils, making it easier to digest. Also, the soaking process gets rid of all gas-causing compounds, thereby stimulating the digestion process.

What do lentils do to 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.

Do lentils burn belly fat? ›

Lentils and beans are rich in soluble fiber, which is the single best carbohydrate to help you burn belly fat. "Soluble fiber forms a thick gel when it binds with water in the body," Tracy said. "This gel that forms therefore slows digestion in the body, which keeps you feeling full for longer!

What meat to pair with lentils? ›

But if meat is still on the table for you, pair lentils with fats like duck and pork (think bacon) to add a bit of richness to this mild-flavored legume. Whether you're trying a meatless meal or making a hearty stew, lentils are a go-to pantry staple that deserve to come out of the pantry to shine this winter.

What happens if I eat lentils every day? ›

The polyphenols in lentils may help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, helping your heart and cardiovascular system. A review of eight trials found that individuals who ate about a cup of legumes every day for ten weeks experienced a decrease in their blood pressure.

What to eat with lentils for complete protein? ›

Alternatively, a full complement of amino acids can be achieved by pairing lentils with whole grains such as rice or wheat. Lentils are also a great source of fiber, vitamin B1 and folic acid, and are naturally gluten-free.

Can you overeat lentils? ›

Lentils are a good source of potassium, however, too many lentils in the diet can cause hyperkalemia (symptoms may include vomiting, fatigue, irregular heartbeat and difficulty breathing) in people with poor kidney function.

How do you fix bland lentils? ›

Add aromatics to the water or, even better, use chicken or vegetable stock instead of water. Follow this tip: Add a few cloves of garlic, a bay leaf, a spring of rosemary, half of an onion, or a combination of these aromatics to the cooking water or stock to help flavor the lentils.

How do you make lentils easier on your stomach? ›

Soak lentils before cooking them to minimize the gas they might cause. The soaking process will help get rid of some of the oligosaccharides, like raffinose that can make you feel gassy and bloated.

How do you fix bland lentil soup? ›

To avoid a bland lentil soup, use a flavorful broth—whether that's homemade or store-bought chicken or vegetable broth. The other key is building flavor. To do so, use aromatics like onions and garlic, include fresh or dried herbs, and season well with salt and pepper.

What are the pros cons of lentils? ›

Lentils are a nutritious food choice, low in fat and high in protein and fiber. However, for some people, these legumes may be bad due to the following reasons: When eaten raw, lentils and other legumes are dangerous because all beans, including lentils, contain lectins that can elicit unpleasant reactions.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Patricia Veum II

Last Updated:

Views: 6018

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Patricia Veum II

Birthday: 1994-12-16

Address: 2064 Little Summit, Goldieton, MS 97651-0862

Phone: +6873952696715

Job: Principal Officer

Hobby: Rafting, Cabaret, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Inline skating, Magic, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Patricia Veum II, I am a vast, combative, smiling, famous, inexpensive, zealous, sparkling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.