Seasoned Brown Lentils

January 27, 2026

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Right here’s a straightforward lunch or dinner thought! This primary recipe makes completely seasoned brown lentils to eat as a quick meal, or use in tacos, salads, and extra.

Want a straightforward lunch or dinner thought? Attempt brown lentils! Alex and I like consuming lentils for lunches or dinners, since they’re filled with plant-based protein and preserve us full for hours afterwards.

This brown lentils recipe ends in completely seasoned, tender lentils. You’ll be able to eat them as-is, or add them as a part to tacos, salads, and extra. They’re a easy protein that makes an straightforward vegan recipe or wholesome dinner!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Prepared in 25 minutes: It’s fast and there’s minimal hands-on time
Filled with plant-based protein: Cooked lentils have about 18 grams per cup
Extremely versatile: They work as a taco filling, salad topper, or grain bowl adder
Finances-friendly: Dried lentils price pennies per serving!

5 Star Reader Overview

“These are simply fantastic! I had a small bowl with a dollop of goat cheese on prime, which bought good and heat and melty, and a small inexperienced salad for dinner. It was all so satisfying and comfortable. I shall be making these usually, love the gravy the lentils make. They’re sort of addicting, the spices are good!” -Cora

How one can Prepare dinner Brown Lentils

Brown lentils are very straightforward to cook dinner. You know the way individuals all the time say, eat extra vegetation? When you get used to cooking up a pot of lentils, it’s straightforward to eat extra of this plant-based protein.

They’re additionally critically cheap, so it’s an effective way to make an affordable and simple meal! Listed here are the fundamental steps on methods to cook dinner brown lentils. (You probably have an On the spot Pot, go to On the spot Pot Lentils as a substitute.)

Step 1: Place the brown lentils and water in a pan and convey it to a simmer. (No have to simmer the liquid first.) You should utilize both water or vegetable broth; I like utilizing broth so as to add a savory taste.

Step 2: Add elective spices: 1 ½ tsp every onion powder and paprika, 1 tsp oregano, and ½ tsp every garlic powder and black pepper. Add ¾ tsp kosher salt.

Step 3: Deliver to a fast simmer, then scale back the warmth and simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes till the lentils are tender however nonetheless maintain their form. Style to evaluate whether or not they’re tender: if not, proceed cooking. Drain any leftover water.

Liquid to Lentil Ratio

The liquid to lentil ratio is 1 cup lentils to 2 2/3 cups water. Right here I’ve used 4 cups broth and 1 ½ cups brown lentils. To search out the liquid ratio, simply multiply the lentils amount by 2.666666.

Varieties of Lentils: Can You Substitute?

Brown lentils are probably the most “normal” selection that’s out there in American grocery shops. They cook dinner shortly (in 20 to Half-hour), and have a tendency to collapse when cooked as a substitute of maintain their form. They’re brown in coloration and have a flat, lens-like form. Are you able to substitute different forms of lentils on this recipe?

You’ll be able to substitute inexperienced lentils for brown lentils. Inexperienced lentils have a extra peppery taste than brown lentils.
Keep away from substituting purple lentils, French lentils, or black lentils, since they cook dinner otherwise. Purple lentils cook dinner faster and might develop into mushy: attempt them in Masoor Dal or Purple Lentil Soup as a substitute. French lentils and black lentils are smaller and maintain their form when cooked; cook dinner them with this French Lentils and Black Lentils strategies.

Methods to Serve Brown Lentils

Due to the broth and spices, these brown lentils come out completely seasoned! I like making this recipe as a result of you may simply eat them immediately. They’re good for a wholesome lunch or dinner. We prefer to serve them with a dollop of Greek yogurt, torn cilantro, tomatoes, and pita bread reduce into wedges.

That is probably the most primary strategy to serve these brown lentils, however the sky is the restrict! Listed here are just a few extra concepts to get your wheels turning:

Add roasted greens to the bowl and drizzle with tahini sauce
Serve with scrambled eggs
Add to this couscous bowl (as a substitute of chickpeas)
Use as a filling for lentil tacos
Add them to lentil salad
Add an entire grain like rice, quinoa, farro, or freekah to the bowl

Dietary Advantages of Lentils

Lentils are filled with vitamin advantages, per Harvard Medical Faculty. Right here’s a little bit of what these brown lentils have to supply:

Lentils have a considerable amount of plant-based protein. 1 cup of cooked lentils has about 18 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber. (Supply)
Lentils have nearly no saturated fats and are low in energy.
Lentils are wealthy in polyphenols, micronutrients thought to assist defend in opposition to heart problems. (Supply)

Dietary Notes

This brown lentils recipe is vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and plant-based.

Steadily Requested Questions

Do I have to soak brown lentils earlier than cooking?

Not like different legumes, brown lentils don’t require pre-soaking. Merely rinse them completely to take away any particles earlier than cooking.

How lengthy do brown lentils take to cook dinner?

Brown lentils usually cook dinner inside 20-Half-hour. Nonetheless, the cooking time could differ relying on the age and high quality of the lentils. Older lentils could take longer to cook dinner than newer ones.

Do brown lentils get mushy when cooked?

Brown lentils can develop into mushy if overcooked. To forestall this, cook dinner them till they’re tender however nonetheless maintain their form. Begin checking for doneness after about quarter-hour of cooking.

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