Name: Instant Pot Lentils
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 package (16 ounces) lentils (about 2-1/4 cups); 2 teaspoons onion powder; 1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1 bay leaf; 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth

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These Instant Pot lentils are incredibly easy and quick- I’m talking lentils done in half the amount of time, plus no need to soak them! Easy peasy. Easy lentils, actually. ?

We’re loving this foolproof method for perfectly-cooked lentils on the fly! Serve this dish on its own as a main course, or as a healthy side.

Table of Contents

Instant Pot lentils: an easy lentil recipe!

It kind of goes without saying that Instant Pot = easy, but I’m just going to go ahead and line out exactly how easy this lentil recipe is.

Five steps.

Seven ingredients (p.s. I count salt and pepper as one ingredient).

Ten minutes to cook.

These lentils have the perfect texture, they’re full of flavor, and they’re good for you too. Lentils are low in calories, rich in protein and other essential nutrients like iron, folate and calcium. Basically, there’s no excuse not to make them. ?

how to make lentils in the Instant Pot

So, how do you cook lentils in the Instant Pot? It’s actually an easy process! Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

Package of lentils
Onion powder
Dried oregano
Garlic powder
Salt and pepper
Dried bay leaf
Chicken or vegetable broth

Remember when I said this recipe only requires five steps? See for yourself!

Rinse the lentils and pick out any pebbles.
Place all the ingredients in the Instant Pot.
Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
Allow the cooker to release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually.
Open the cooker, stir the lentils, and adjust to taste!

Do lentils need to be soaked? For this recipe, no! Sometimes lentils are soaked to reduce the cooking time, but the Instant Pot takes care of that! That’s why we’re raving about this easy lentil recipe.

What happens if you overcook lentils? Short answer: the lentil skins split and they can become too mushy. Just ten minutes of cooking in the Instant Pot is the perfect amount of time, so don’t worry about your lentils overcooking.

Two bowls of lentils made in the Instant Pot.

how to serve lentils

If you’re not as familiar with lentils, they’re similar to beans in texture. And what’s nice is they can go with many of your favorite dishes! A few of our favorite ideas for using lentils include:

Serve as a hearty side with a meat dish, like this Lemongrass Chicken Satay
Finding a recipe for lentil soup that’s full of protein (since these are already cooked, add them last to avoid overcooking)
Create a lentil bowl mixed with veggies or a flavorful Chicken Karahi
On their own, with a squeeze of lime juice and some chopped, fresh cilantro
With a serving of healthy sprouted brown rice or a chunk of crusty sourdough bread

Make this recipe once and enjoy it for several days. The cooked lentils will keep for 5 days in the fridge. All you need to do is warm them up when you are ready to eat.

You can even freeze lentils! Make sure you let them cool down completely then store them in a freezer-proof container for up to 3 months.

Enjoy this quick, simple recipe! We love sharing recipes that are delicious and time-saving, and this easy lentil recipe is both. 🙂

Tips for success.

Purchase the freshest lentils possible. Dried lentils last for years but as they get older they take longer to cook. Check the “best by” date on the package. If the date is expired you may need to double the cooking time.
If you purchase lentils in a bulk bin make sure you store them in an airtight container when you get home. You won’t find a ‘best by’ date in the bulk bins so make sure the store has a high turnover of their bulk section.
Rinse the lentils before you cook them. Lentils can often have small pebbles and dirt. Inspect them for pebbles and debris then rinse them in cold water.

SOME OTHER RECIPES WE ARE SURE YOU WILL LOVE:

There’s something about homemade naan bread, and we can’t get enough of it! Warm, soft and satisfying, it’s dangerously addicting!
Love your Instant Pot as much as we do? This recipe for Instant Pot Basil Lime Rice won’t disappoint, and it only requires 3 minutes of cooking!
This beef shawarma sandwich might just be the best lunch you’ve had in a while. Tender, shredded meat, tangy pickles, and a good dousing of tahini is perfection in this naan sandwich.

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Instant Pot Lentils

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Cook lentils in half the time with your Instant Pot and don't worry about soaking them. This foolproof method delivers perfect lentils with a tender texture. Serve them as a main course or a side dish.

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) lentils (about 2-1/4 cups)
2 teaspoons onion powder
1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 bay leaf
3 cups chicken or vegetable broth

Instructions

Rinse the lentils and pick out any pebbles if you find them.
Place all the ingredients in the Instant Pot. Close the lid and make sure the valve is in the ‘sealed’ position.
Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
Allow the Instant Pot to release the pressure naturally for 10 minutes then release any remaining pressure manually.
Open the lid and stir. Add additional seasoning if desired.

Notes

You can use brown, green, or Puy lentils with this recipe.
If you use red or yellow lentils, reduce the cooking time to 8 minutes