These Easy Instant Pot Lentils are ready in just 10 minutes. Whether you’re cooking red or green lentils, they’re super simple to make!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Olive oil – or another neutral cooking oil such as canola or avocado oil.
- Vegetable broth – chicken broth would also work.
- Dry lentils – this recipe will work for green, brown, red or black lentils.
- Salt – to taste.
How to cook lentils in the Instant Pot
Step 1: Assemble your ingredients.
Add olive oil to Instant Pot, followed by broth and lentils.
Step 2: Add everything to the Instant Pot.
Shake salt overtop of lentils. Place lid on Instant Pot and make sure valve is set to seal.
Step 3: Cook on high pressure.
Press the pressure cook button and set to high, then cook for 10 minutes. Instant Pot will take about 5-10 minutes to come to pressure then pressure cook for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Stir, serve and enjoy!
Do a quick release of the pressure on the Instant Pot by flicking the switch at the top with a spoon. Open the lid when pressure gauge has dropped and the lid opens easily. Gently stir, then serve and enjoy!
What are lentils good for?
Now that you have a protein-packed pot full of perfectly cooked instapot lentils, what can you do with them?
- Use them instead of black beans in these Stuffed Sweet Potatoes.
- Add some extra protein to soups like this Cabbage Soup.
- Replace ground meat with an equal amount of lentils in recipes like Taco-Stuffed Avocados.
- Mix and match them with other vegan proteins in these Buddha Bowls or these Easy Quinoa Salads.
- Mash up 1 ½ cups of the lentils to replace the garbanzo beans in these Freezer Wraps.
- Use leftover lentils and veggies that you have already cooked for this yummy Lentil Veggie Burger from Veggies Don’t Bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lentils are a type of legume that are a great source of nutrients and protein. There are a variety of different kinds of lentils including red, green, black, yellow and brown lentils. This lentils Instant Pot recipe will work for green, brown, red or black lentils
Yes! Lentils are super healthy and are packed full of nutrients. They’re a great source of plant-based protein in addition to being high in fibre and low in fat and calories. Lentils are also a great source of potassium, folate, iron and manganese, and have a low glycemic index.
Green lentils have a more robust, slightly peppery flavour. They are best for adding a plant-based protein to salads and other side dishes. Red lentils are sweeter and nuttier than green lentils. They are the best lentils to use for Indian dals or to thicken soups.
Lentils are a complex carbohydrate that are high in protein and a variety of other nutrients.
Storing and reheating
You can store any leftover cooked Instant Pot lentils in the fridge for up to a week. I suggest storing them in a Ziploc bag or airtight container. To reheat them, add the amount you need directly to any sauce or soup you are cooking or reheat thoroughly in the microwave.
Can you freeze cooked lentils?
You can definitely freeze cooked lentils! They’re always great to have on hand – that way, you can have them ready to go and add them to any meal.
To avoid reheating a big lump of lentils, spread the cooked Instant Pot lentils out on a baking sheet and let them freeze completely for about 2 hours. Then, store them in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container for up to 6 months.
When you’re ready to use them, let them defrost in the fridge overnight then add them to whatever recipe you need them for.
More Instant Pot vegetarian recipes
- Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Best, Creamiest Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Black Bean Soup
Meal prep tools for this recipe
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on storing the leftovers.
Easy Instant Pot Lentils {10 Minutes!}
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups dry green, black or brown lentils
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Add olive oil to Instant Pot, followed by broth and lentils. Shake salt overtop of lentils. Place lid on Instant Pot and make sure valve is set to seal.
- Press the pressure cook button and set to high, then cook for 10 minutes. Instant Pot will take about 5-10 minutes to come to pressure then pressure cook for 10 minutes.
- Do a quick release of the pressure on the Instant Pot by flicking the switch at the top with a spoon. Open the lid when pressure gauge has dropped and the lid opens easily.
- Gently stir, then serve and enjoy!
