How to Cook Red Lentils (Stovetop and Instant Pot)

A wooden bowl filled with dried red lentils.

5 from 23 votes

How to Cook Red Lentils (Stovetop and Instant Pot)

Step by step instructions for cooking red split lentils on the stovetop or in your Instant Pot, whether you want the lentils to retain some form or cooked into a puree. Red lentils are the same as orange lentils, and this recipe can also be used for cooking yellow lentils.

Prep Time10

Cook Time7

Total Time17

Course: Any

Cuisine: Any

Keyword: how to cook orange lentils, how to cook red lentils, how to cook yellow lentils, red lentils

Servings:

Calories: 357.2kcal

Author: Susan Pridmore

Equipment

Chef's knife
fine mesh strainer
Medium saucepan for cooking lentils on the stovetop
Instant Pot for cooking lentils in an electric pressure cooker

Ingredients

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
½ yellow onion, finely diced about 1 cup
2 cups red lentils also called orange lentils
2 - 3 cups water depending on the texture you want and cook method (see post for details)
2 tablespoons Better Than Bouillon Vegetable Bouillon Paste, OR ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Stove Top Directions

Warm the olive oil in a medium pot over medium-low heat, and add the diced onion. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
For lentils that mostly hold their shape, add the lentils to the sautéed onions and stir. Stir in 2 cups of water. If using Better Than Bouillon Roasted Vegetable Paste, dissolve it in the water as it heats to a simmer. If not, add ½ teaspoon kosher salt.
Place the lid on the pot, reduce the heat to simmer, and cook for 7 - 10 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. If you want the lentils to be more soupy, add ¼ - ½ cup of water.
For lentils that cook down into a puree, stir in 3 cups water. If using Better Than Bouillon Roasted Vegetable Paste, dissolve the same amount in the water as it heats to a simmer. If not, add ½ teaspoon kosher salt.
Place the lid on the pot, reduce the heat to simmer, and cook for 18 - 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. If you want to reduce the liquid, remove the lid, increase the heat to medium, and simmer for a couple of minutes.

Instant Pot Directions

Add the olive oil to the inner pot of your Instant Pot and press SAUTE on high. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
For lentils that mostly hold their shape, add the lentils to the sautéed onions and stir in 1 ¾ cups of water and Better Than Bouillon (or use broth with ½ teaspoon kosher salt).
Switch the Instant Pot to HIGH PRESSURE and seal the lid. Cook for 3 minutes and perform a NATURAL RELEASE for 5 minutes.
For lentils that cook down into a puree, add the lentils to the sautéed onions and stir in 2 ½ cups of water and Better Than Bouillon (or use broth with ½ teaspoon kosher salt).
Switch the Instant Pot to HIGH PRESSURE and seal the lid. Cook for 4 minutes and perform a NATURAL RELEASE for 15 minutes.

Nutrition