How to Cook Green Lentils on the Stove

5 from 1 vote

How to Cook Green Lentils on the Stove

This is how to cook green lentils on the stove to tender. Enjoyed as a side dish or vegetarian meal they are healthy and come in a variety of other colors like red, black and brown too. We will go over how long to cook each.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: lentils, stove

Servings:

Author: Justine

Equipment

1 pot

Ingredients

1 bag lentils whole, split variety will take half the cook time
vegetable broth enough to cover lentils + 2 inches above
salt and pepper to taste when done

Instructions

Rinse lentils in a fine mesh strainer. Drain and put into a pot with enough broth to cover them + 2 inches above that. Cover pot, set to medium high heat until it reaches a rolling boil, then reduce to medium and cook according to times below.
** Remember that times are approximate and depend on a number of factors so set to minimum and check to see if they are the texture and tenderness of your liking. Then remove from the heat, drain with same strainer and enjoy mixed with other ingredients for a stew or as is as a side dish.
Timing below is using whole lentils, split lentils will take about half the time listed.
Red Lentils take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to become tender. They are perfect for recipes when you want a creamy texture, such as soups and stews.
Black Lentils typically take about 20 to 25 minutes to cook. They retain their shape well and are an excellent choice for salads and side dishes.
Green or Brown Lentils require a bit more time, usually around 25 to 30 minutes. They are versatile and work well in dishes where you want this legume to have more texture and not get too soft.
French Lentils have a slightly longer cooking time of around 25 to 35 minutes, hold their shape and are ideal for salads and as a side dish.
Yellow Lentils cook quickly, usually in 15 to 20 minutes. They are commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine for dishes like dal.

Nutrition