Looking for an easy lunch or dinner recipe? Here’s one that’s super simple and totally customizable: brown lentils! Lentils are one of the healthiest foods on the planet, so why not incorporate more of them into your everyday? This recipe results in perfectly seasoned, tender lentils. You can eat them as-is, or add them as a component to tacos, salads, and more. They’re a fabulous easy vegan recipe or healthy vegetarian dinner. Ready to get started cooking?
How to cook brown lentils
Brown lentils are very easy to cook. You know how people say to eat more lentils? Once you get used to cooking up a pot of lentils, it’s easy to eat more of this plant-based protein. They’re also seriously inexpensive, so it’s a great way to make a cheap and easy meal! Here are the basic steps on how to cook brown lentils.
Step 1: Place lentils and liquid in a saucepan.
When you cook brown lentils, you’ll put it together with the liquid in the pan and then bring it to a simmer. (No need to simmer the liquid first.) You can use either water or vegetable broth; we like using broth to add a savory flavor.
The liquid to lentil ratio is 1 cup lentils to 2 2/3 cups water. Here we’ve used 4 cups broth and 1 ½ cups brown lentils. To find the liquid ratio, just multiply the lentils quantity by 2.666666.
Step 2: Add optional spices.
This brown lentils recipe features spices amp the flavor: 1 ½ teaspoons each onion powder and paprika, 1 teaspoon oregano, and ½ teaspoon each garlic powder and black pepper. Throw in ¾ teaspoon kosher salt as well.
Step 3: Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.
Then all you have to do is bring the brown lentils to a simmer! Bring to a rapid simmer, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape. Taste them to assess whether they’re tender: if not, continue cooking. Once they’re done, there will be some leftover broth. The lentils will soak this up as they sit and become perfectly moist.
What are brown lentils? Can I sub other types?
Brown lentils are the most “standard” varieties when you think of lentils — and the type featured in the recipe below! They cook quickly (in 20 to 30 minutes), and tend to fall apart when cooked instead of hold their shape. They’re brown in color and have a flat, lens-like shape.
Can you substitute other types of lentils in this recipe? You can substitute green lentils for brown lentils. Green lentils have a more peppery flavor than brown lentils.
What types of lentils not to use here? This recipe does not work for red lentils, French lentils, or black lentils, since they cook differently! Red lentils cook quicker and break down easily into a “mush”. Try them in our Masoor Dal or Red Lentil Soup. French lentils and black lentils are smaller and hold their shape when cooked. Try French lentils in our Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie with Lentils or French Lentil Salad. Sample black lentils in our Seasoned Black Lentils or Lentil Salad with Feta.
How to serve these brown lentils
Because of the broth and spices, these brown lentils come out perfectly seasoned! We love making this recipe because you can just eat them right away. They’re perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner. Here’s how we served them above:
- Cut a pita or naan bread into wedges
- Dollop with Greek yogurt
- Add some torn cilantro
- Garnish with some raw or roasted veggies: whatever you have around!
This is the most basic way to serve these brown lentils. Truly, the sky is the limit! Here are a few more ideas to get your wheels turning:
- Add Roasted Vegetables to the bowl
- Use in this Couscous Bowl (instead of chickpeas)
- Use as a filling for Lentil Tacos, or add into Quinoa Tacos or Jackfruit Tacos
- Cook them to al dente (before they fall apart) and make Lentil Salad
- Add a whole grain like Rice, Quinoa or Freekah to the bowl
Are lentils healthy?
Yes, lentils are full of nutrition benefits. Here’s a bit of what these brown lentils have to offer:
- Protein & Fiber: Lentils have a large amount of plant-based protein. 1 cup of cooked lentils has about 18 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber.
- Low in Fat & Calories: Lentils have virtually no saturated fat and are low in calories.
- Protect Against Heart Disease: Lentils are rich in polyphenols, micronutrients thought to help protect against cardiovascular disease.
