The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
Our Instant Pot Lentils recipe takes just 21 minutes to make. You can serve these as a side dish or use them in salads, soups, or even dips.
This recipe only costs $2.20 to make! It makes eight servings, which is $0.28 per serving.
For more healthy side dish recipes, check out our Easy Hummus Recipe, our Chia Seed Pudding, and our Asparagus in the Oven.
If you struggle to come up with simple healthy side dishes, you have come to the right place! Lentils are an excellent healthy side dish, but they can be time-consuming when made on the stovetop.
This hands-free recipe for lentils is made in the Instant Pot! It is life-changing. No more having to soak the lentils overnight and then watch them cook on the stovetop, trying to get them to that perfect texture.
Instead, the Instant Pot does all the work for you! All you have to do is put the ingredients in the pot, close it, and set it.
When the timer goes off, you will have perfectly tender Lentils every single time. You can even control how firm or soft the lentils are by letting the Instant Pot naturally release or by doing a quick release when they are done cooking.
Our recipe uses simple ingredients that come together to create a savory dish. You will never want to buy the boxed kind at the store again, especially after we show you just how easy it is to cook Lentils in the Instant Pot!
Ingredients & Cost:
- 2 cups green or brown lentils – $0.82
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth – $1.32
- 1 teaspoon salt – $0.01
- 1 teaspoon cumin – $0.03
- ½ teaspoon paprika – $0.01
- ½ teaspoon onion powder – $0.01
To learn more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
INSTRUCTIONS
- First, rinse the lentils before placing them in the Instant Pot.
- Next, stir in the broth, salt, cumin, paprika, and onion powder.
- Put the lid on the Instant Pot and cook on manual pressure for nine minutes.
- Finally, quick-release or naturally release, depending on the desired texture of the lentils, and then serve with chopped parsley on top.
STORAGE TIPS
Serve: You can leave these lentils at room temperature for about two hours before they need to be covered and stored in the refrigerator.
Store: Place the lentils in an airtight container and refrigerate for 6-7 days.
Freeze: Once cooled, place the lentils in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag and freeze for 2-3 months.
Defrost: Defrost at room temperature for 2-3 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. You may need to add some water to the lentils to loosen them up. Start with ½ of a Tablespoon, depending on the quantity you’re reheating.
COOK’S TOOLS
- Instant Pot
- Measuring cups
- Liquid measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden mixing spoon
RECIPE FAQs
You do not need to presoak the lentils before placing them in your Instant Pot. Instead, rinse them and put them in the Instant Pot; it is that simple. This easy process is why this method is so fabulous! A truly time-saving recipe and just one of the reasons we love cooking with Instant Pot so much. Keep scrolling for a list of our favorite Instant Pot recipes!
Generally speaking, 1 cup of dry lentils will produce around 2-2 ½ cups of lentils. This number may vary slightly but is a reasonable estimate.
Lentils take just nine minutes to cook in the Instant Pot. However, you will need to allow for about ten minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure before that nine-minute timer starts. Also, do not forget to leave time for the quick or natural release after the timer goes off. Finally, add in the minimal prep time for the recipe, and you are looking at a minimum of twenty-one minutes to make this recipe.
GET KIDS INVOLVED
Ages 2-3: Your little one can help rinse the lentils before placing them in the Instant Pot. This can be a fun hands-on activity for them without a big mess!
Ages 4-5: Have your child pour the ingredients into the Instant Pot. They can practice measuring skills as they scoop out and measure the lentils in the measuring cup.
Ages 6-8: Ask your child to pre-measure the ingredients for you in preparation for putting them in the Instant Pot. Teach them how to put the lid on and set the timer on the Instant Pot.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe. Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
BUDGET TIPS
To save on grocery money, lentils are an excellent way to cut some dollars off your weekly bill. Lentils are extremely affordable and can be used in various recipes like a salad or bolognese.
MORE INSTANT POT RECIPES
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
- Country Style Ribs
- French Dip
- Lasagna
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Meatloaf
- Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Soup
- Potato Soup
- Spaghetti
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Instant Pot Lentils
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- measuring cups
- Liquid measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 2 cups green or brown lentils
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
GARNISH:
- Chopped fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Rinse the lentils and add them to the instant pot.
- Add the broth, salt, cumin, paprika, and onion powder. Stir to combine.
- Place the lid on the instant pot and ensure that the release button is set to “sealed”. Cook on manual pressure for 9 minutes.
- When the lentils are done cooking you can carefully flip the quick-release button for a firmer texture of lentils or let it naturally release for 10-15 minutes for a softer texture.
- Serve the lentils warm with chopped parsley on top (optional).
Notes
- This will make about 4-5 cups of lentils.
- Firm lentils are great as a side dish or to serve in cold salads. Softer lentils are great for soups, dips, or to be blended into other dishes.
Sisley White - Sew White says
I really need to get an instant pot it looks so easy to use to make delicious food.
Heather Perine says
Love lentils but cooking them is such a pain..can’t wait to make them in my instant pot! Genius
Michele says
Thank you for sharing this recipe. Making the lentils in the Instant Pot is so much easier. These turned out perfectly. We will be making this again and again.
Jacque Hastert says
Love a quick, budget-friendly side dish like this one! I can’t wait to grab my IP and get to cooking 😉
Katherine says
I always forget to pre-soak lentils, so this IP version without soaking is a game changer! Thanks!
Gina says
This Instant Pot Lentil recipe is just what I needed. They cooked up perfectly. Added them to soup and they really hit the spot! Great recipe.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
Love how easy this recipe is. It’s perfect for our family!