Red Lentils Instant Pot

Cooking red lentils in Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi is simple and a healthy vegetarian side dish we love. Use same directions for brown, green, black or yellow varieties with seasonings of your choice. From Instant Pot lentil curry to simple are delicious.

This red lentils Instant Pot recipe is great. I love cooking from dry legumes to tender perfection in minutes. Just one easy Instant Pot recipe that’s a great side dish packed with protein.

What are lentils?

They are similar to beans. High protein pebble like hard in nature before being cooked, they’re used a lot in vegetarian recipes replacing meat. You can enjoy as is with a meal or we have even made soup with these like our Instant Pot lentil soup with ham for a whole meal. Either way they’re a great food that is super versatile for dinner.

There are many types as well (red, yellow, brown, green and black). The biggest difference is the bold color on the outside, which changes once they’re softened. We used red but there are many others to choose from. All have an earthy flavor.

Ninja Foodi Red Lentils

Using a Foodi [ot you will follow the directions below with the lid that is not attached and the pressure cook button. You won’t need the other lid because the ideal texture is very tender, no crisping involved.

Should you cook lentils with water or broth?

Here’s where it starts. Pick the color or taste of your choice and some water. Broth is a better alternative to water for the liquid you need because that will add a bit more flavor. You can even add rice into the mix with a bit more broth, follow our lentils and rice post for that timing.

Ingredient Notes

You can find bags of dry Lentils at the store with the beans. We used split red lentils here which is our favorite type. Timing below is specific to this variety.

You want to add a liquid such as vegetable broth to add more flavor, water works but won’t be as delicious.

Seasonings should be added for sure, salt and pepper are just the basics but use what you love. Garlic salt and/or powder are great too.

How long do you cook red lentils in a pressure cooker?

Whether you want brown lentils or red lentils, they cook basically the same at about 15 minutes. If you aren’t super familiar with pressure cooking, natural release means to leave the steam valve in the sealing position for 15 minutes after it beeps “done”.

After that time is up, flip it open so the remainder can escape and the lid will lift off easily and safely. Lentils are tender when cooked this way. From there you can blend to make them smooth like mashed potatoes, or cut down the cooking time by a few minutes if you don’t want them quite as soft.

Notes

When planning this keep in mind that the time to reach initial pressure can be 15 to 20 minutes. So leave a good 45 minutes start to finish for this easy lentil recipe. If you want it very smooth and add it to a blender or hand mixer you may need a bit more liquid. Broth, water or even coconut milk are common choices for this. We have done this with curry flavors at times.

Why do lentils change color after being cooked?

Raw lentils contain pigments, especially in the outer layer, that often break down or leach out during cooking. For example, green or brown lentils might lose some of their vibrant color and become more muted, while red lentils tend to turn yellow or golden as their outer color dissipates.

Can you cook lentils and ham together?

Yes but your best bet is to use pre-cooked diced pieces to add flavor and texture. Instant Pot Lentil Soup with Ham is our favorite duo together that has more broth so it is more than a meal than a side.

How do you save leftover lentils so they don’t dry out?

If your cooked lentils have any cooking liquid left, store them in it. This keeps them moist and prevents drying. If there’s no cooking liquid left, add a small amount of water or broth to the container before refrigerating.

What can you make with leftover cooked lentils?

Toss with fresh vegetables, herbs, and a tangy vinaigrette for a hearty salad. Use as a filling for tacos. Add spices like cumin, chili powder, garlic, and onion, and top with your favorite taco fixings, like salsa, avocado, and cilantro. Mash the leftover lentils and mix them with breadcrumbs, egg (or flaxseed for a vegan version), onions, and spices. Form into patties and pan-fry for delicious lentil burgers.

Make a vegetarian version of shepherd’s pie by using these as the “meat” layer. Puree cooked lentils with fruit like bananas and berries, almond milk, and a sweetener for a protein-packed smoothie.

Other pressure cooker side dishes you’ll love

Looking for other Instant Pot side dishes? We have tons on our site, here are a few of our favorites: Our homemade no soak Instant Pot baked beans get 5 stars from everyone who tries them.

• You can make slow cooker lentils for your next taco Tuesday for a vegetarian filling idea.

Add something else? Let us know so we can try your favorite add ins.

What is the difference between beans and lentils?

We share how to cook beans in a pressure cooker here. Those take a bit longer, depending on the variety and how soft you want them. Lentils are legumes, not beans and grow inside seeds vs. pods. Much higher in protein, split lentils have a different shape to them. Nonetheless these two are often confused.