This is the best way of how to cook lentils and rice together for the perfect low fat high protein side dish! Make on the stove or with Instant Pot red lentils you will be surprised how delicious this combination is.
Cooking lentils and rice together in a pressure cooker has been a game changer! Two of our favorite foods all in one pot has now become one of our favorite Instant Pot recipes we have made with red or green lentils and white rice.
We experimented with a bunch of different varieties since both have a few to choose from. We found that arborio rice wasn’t quite as good as long grain white in order to get everything the same tenderness so that is what we shared here.
Shared below are two methods, lentils and white Ninja Foodi rice or on the stove top. With both methods you are going to want a little bit of time to leave covered (or allow for a natural release) to rest and fluff.
Ingredient Notes
For the necessary liquid needed you can use either broth or water but the first will obviously offer a lot more flavor so I would suggest to go with that. Chicken broth or stock is typically my go to since I generally will serve it with a few grilled breasts.
Then you want equal amounts of lentils and white rice but below 1 cup of each is what we will make at a time which is plenty for us 4.
If you do want to add diced onions you will want to saute first with a bit of olive oil or some butter to soften, then continue on with pressure cooking your grains.
For seasonings we are going to add some salt, minced garlic and cumin but you can adjust to your liking. To make spicy I would suggest a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
Variations and Substitutions
You can certainly add any other seasonings from middle eastern cultures like we did with our Sloppy Lentil Joes or keep simple with just salt and pepper. You could make caramelized onions first and then continue on with the directions below if you wanted a bit of sweetness to the dish.
If you are using a Ninja Foodi you would use the lid that is not attached to make this, all other directions remain the same.
Tips for Success
If you want to add brown rice instead of white you would add both ingredients together once water is at a rolling boil. That grain takes twice as long as the other so 30 minutes for lentils is the same as that grain. My family prefers Jasmine and long grain so typically I don’t make that style.
The timing below Older lentils may take longer to cook, so you may need to adjust the cook time accordingly. Additionally, they can be soaked overnight to reduce their cooking time by at least half. Average cook time for whole is 15-20 minutes. For split lentils, cook time is typically only about 5-7 minutes.
This method is like cooking Instant Pot potatoes and carrots together at the same time. MUCH faster than on the stove and you can throw them together at the same time vs. waiting until lentils are halfway done and then adding grains if using the white variety. A great way to make a really protein rich side dish with any meal for dinner.
Lentils and Rice Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup lentils, red split lentils
- 1 cup white rice, arborio rice was used
- 3 cup chicken broth, or water
- 1 small onion, diced or sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 pinch salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Set pressure cooker to saute and add olive oil or butter with onions and pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until softened and lightly browned. Turn pot off and pour onions into a bowl, set aside.
- Pour in rice, lentils, broth and seasonings. Stir together. Lock lid and set steam valve to closed. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes with a 2 minute natural release.
- Lift lid, gently fold in browned onions. Set lid on for 1 minute to warm everything together and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you love the idea of cooking two things together at the same time but want protein in the mix, try our oxtails and rice recipe next!
Stovetop Method
You are going to want a skillet and a pot with a tight fitting lid to make this dish. If you do not want to add onions you can skip that section. You will cover and simmer long enough for both to be fork tender. This is How Long to Cook Green Lentils on Stove but red or black can be used too with stiffer grains. You can even swap things up once you are used to how it is done like we did with black eyed peas and rice.
- Add olive oil with sliced onions, garlic and cumin. Cook until softened and browned.
- Remove half of your onions and set aside, continue browning first half until more browned (like caramelized color)
- In a pot on another burner add water or broth over medium high heat until it reaches a continuous rolling boil.
- Add lentils into your pot.
- if you’re adding brown rice use brown, green, puy or beluga lentils so they can go in together
- use red or yellow lentils with white rice to add together at the same time
- Reduce heat to medium and cover for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes lift lid, add onions you set aside with raw white long grain or Arborio rice, and salt. If you haven’t already added the grains add now
- Cover again for another 15 minutes stirring halfway thru, until rice grains are as tender as you’d like.
Add browned onions from skillet, fold together, cover and let sit for another 5-10 minutes to fluff.
Lentils Cooking Time
I include timing for all of these here so you can adjust the timing for the stove. Keep in mind that white rice takes about 15 minutes while brown takes 30. Adjust cooking time if adding both together accordingly. If you’re adding brown rice use brown, green, puy or beluga lentils so they can go in together. Use red or yellow lentils with white rice to add together at the same time
- Brown lentils or green lentils are most commonly used in recipes and take about 20-30 minutes to cook. They hold their shape well and have a slightly nutty flavor.
- Red lentils or yellow lentils cook faster than brown or green, taking about 15-20 minutes to boil.
- They break down more easily and are commonly used in soups and stews.
- French or Puy lentils are smaller and darker, and have a slightly peppery flavor. They take around 25-30 minutes to cook.
- Beluga lentils are small and black, and have a rich, earthy flavor. They take about 20-25 minutes to cook.
Can You Eat Leftover Lentils?
Of course, as long as they have been saved properly. Allow to cool before transferring into a sealed container and store in the fridge up to 3 days. To reheat add into a bowl with a tbsp of broth to thin it out and microwave for 30 seconds, stir, and heat for another 30-45 seconds until warmed.
FAQ
They are super high in protein, and lower blood pressure so they are a great addition to your weekly diet. There aren’t many negatives other than possibly creating some gas due to the high fiber content so 3-4 times a week would be great.
Lentils are a part of the legume family and very nutrient dense so if you are looking for foods that hold a lot of nutrition and protein in a small package I would say yes lentils are a superfood.
Are we using dried or canned lentils?
dried
Actually pretty spot on. I seasoned from the beginning because of the end result I had planned. I was unsure of One pot ALL AT ONCE cook time but 10 min. high pressure was proper for white rice green lentils. Natural released for the two mins. The lentils still had a bit of a bite, so I fluffed (stirred really) and leveled and coverd to steam a bit more. You do as you like, this is a great direction.
Thank you.