Wondering how to make lentils without a recipe? All you need is that lentil to water ratio, which works every time. This ratio is for brown and green lentils only (since red and yellow lentils cook differently — they become mushier when cooked and are used for stews). Here is is:
Lentil to water ratio (brown & green): 1 part lentils to 3 parts water
That means if you’re planning to cook 1 cup of lentils, you’ll combine it with 3 cups of water in a pot. Simple as that! Here are a few other things to keep in mind:
Do you have to boil the water first? No! Place the lentils and water in a pot together and bring to a high simmer, then simmer. How long do you cook brown and green lentils? 20 to 25 minutes, until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape. You can drain any excess liquid. Can I make lentils with broth instead of water? Yes! Cooking with broth brings in extra flavor.
Want a recipe? Scroll down to our full recipe below!
Types of lentils and lentil recipes
This lentil to water ratio works for cooking brown and green lentils, but cooking yellow and red lentils is a bit different. Here’s a primer on the different types of lentils and a few examples of recipes to use with each:
Brown & green lentils: These are the most “standard” varieties when you think of lentils—they cook quickly. Try them: Seasoned Brown Lentils, Quick Lentil Curry, Hearty Lentil Stew, or Lentil Tacos. Red lentils: These bright orange colored lentils take about 20 minutes to cook and break down easily into a “mush”. Try them: Masoor Dal or Red Lentil Soup French lentils (Puy lentils): These lentils hold their shape when cooked; they’re small and greenish-gray. Try them: Shepherd’s Pie with Lentils or Rice & Lentil Salad. Black lentils (Beluga lentils): Black lentils small and dark, like a combo of French lentils and brown lentils. Try them: Seasoned Black Lentils, Sweet Potatoes with Goat Cheese & Lentils, Marinated Lentils or Dal Makhani
Need more motivation to eat lentils? Here are all the Benefits of Lentils.
Lentil serving sizes
But how much lentil to cook? It’s all in the math. Here are a few handy formulas to remember:
How much does 1 cup of dry lentils make? 1 cup dry lentils = about 2 ½ cups cooked lentils. Lentils increase in volume about 2 ½ times when cooked. How much is 1 serving of lentils? Plan for about 1 to 1 ½ cups of cooked lentils per serving. How much dry lentils do I need for about 4 cups cooked? Since lentils increase 2 ½ times when cooked, divide the cooked volume by 2 1/2. 1 ½ cups dry lentils = About 4 cups cooked lentils
Got a pressure cooker or Instant Pot?
You can make lentils in an Instant Pot too! That’s got a different lentil to water ratio; here’s our recipe! Instant Pot Lentils 4.4 from 5 reviews
