How To Cook Red Lentils

Learn how to cook red lentils on the stove, in an instant pot or a slow cooker perfectly every time.

High in protein and fiber, easy to cook, and a tasty addition to salads and stews, lentils are a healthy addition to any diet.

Jump to:

Are Red Lentils and Split Red Lentils The Same?
Lentils to Water Ratio
Do Red Lentils Need To Be Soaked Before Cooking?
How To Cook Red Lentils On The Stove
How To Cook Red Lentils In An Instant Pot
How To Cook Red Lentils In A Slow Cooker (Crock Pot)
How Long To Cook Red Lentils
Can You Cook Red Lentils In The Rice Cooker?

These are a my go-to methods for cooking red lentils. I'm going to cover the following methods:

✔On the stove

✔In an Instant Pot

✔In the slow cooker (or crock pot).

dried red lentils in a saucepan. — *dried red lentils in saucepan*

Are Red Lentils and Split Red Lentils The Same?

Red lentils are sold either whole or split. So, they aren't the same, and they require different cooking times. What you'll find in most grocery stores is split red lentils.

Split red lentils have had their outer hull and seed removed. They're split in half, making them less dense than whole lentils. Because of this, split red lentils require much less cooking time. They're great for purees and soups, whereas whole lentils are better suited to used in salads and as meaty substitutes in things like lentil bolognese.

pan boiling on stove. — *lentils to water ratio*

Lentils to Water Ratio

Knowing how much water to cook your lentils is in is key to getting the best consistency.

Cooking red lentils on the stove: 1 cup red lentils to 3 cups of water.
Cooking red lentils in an Instant Pot: 1 cup of red lentils to 2 ½ cups of water.
Cooking red lentils in a slow cooker (crockpot): 1 cup of lentils to 2 cups of water.

Do Red Lentils Need To Be Soaked Before Cooking?

No, you don't need to soak lentils before cooking. This is true of all lentils, not just red lentils. However, it's a good idea to give them a rinse in a colander before cooking them.

How To Cook Red Lentils On The Stove

It's easy to cook red lentils on the stove. Just be sure to keep the heat at a low simmer and keep an eye on the water levels.

Firstly, put the lentils in a colander and give them a good rinse. Sort through them and remove any small stones or debris.
Put the lentils in a saucepan and and add water in a 1:3 ratio. That's three cups of water for every cup of lentils. Be sure to use a large enough saucepan as the lentils will double or triple in size.
Bring the red lentils to a boil.
Reduce the heat, put the lid on the pan and simmer.
Whole red lentils will need to be cooked for 15-20 minutes, whereas split red lentils will only need to cook for 5-7 minutes.
Don't add salt to the lentils before cooking them. Season them after they've finished cooking. Adding salt before simmering the lentils makes them tough.

Instant pot on a counter. — *how to cook red lentils in an Instant Pot*

How To Cook Red Lentils In An Instant Pot

Lentils cooked in an Instant Pot (or pressure cooker) will have a mushier consistency than lentils cooked on the stove. This is perfect for cooking dal or any curry that requires pureed lentils.

Put the lentils in a colander and wash them thoroughly, sifting through them with your hands to make sure there are no small stones.
Add the lentils to the Instant Pot with water. Use the ratio of lentils to water 1:2 ½. In other words, every one cup of lentils needs 2 ½ cups of water.
Pressure cook the lentils for 3-5 minutes.
Release the pressure naturally for 15 minutes, then release any remaining pressure.
The lentils should be very mushy. If there's any liquid remaining, simply strain it off.

How To Cook Red Lentils In A Slow Cooker (Crock Pot)

One of the great things about cooking red lentils in a crock pot, is that you can dump all the ingredients in, and go about your day. When you get home, your whole house will be filled with a delicious aroma, and you'll have a fuss free meal ready to eat. You can also do large batch cooking in your crock pot. Store the leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge and eat within 3 days.

Put the lentils in a colander and wash them thoroughly, sifting through them with your hands to make sure there are no small stones.
If you are making a curry or dal, you can add the dry lentils along with the vegetables and spices.
Pour the water in a 1:2 ratio over the lentils. In other words, for every one cup of lentils you will need to add two cups of water. Please note, that the liquid to lentils ratio includes tomato puree or coconut milk. So, if you are cooking your lentils in only tomato puree, omit the water, and add the tomato puree in the 1:2 ratio.
Put the lid on the slow cooker, and turn the heat to low. Cook for 6 hours.

How Long To Cook Red Lentils

How long to cook red lentils depends on if you're cooking them on the stove, in an Instant Pot or in a slow cooker. Here's a handy guide:

Cooking red lentils on the stove: Whole red lentils will need to be cooked for 15-20 minutes. Split red lentils will need 5-7 minutes cooking time.
Cooking red lentils in the Instant Pot: Pressure cook them for 3-5 minutes. Allow the steam to release for 15 minutes.
Cooking red lentils in the slow cooker (crock pot): Cook on low for 6 hours.

Can You Cook Red Lentils In The Rice Cooker?

The answer is yes! You can cook red lentils in a rice cooker. You should be aware that they will lose most of their texture, so this method of cooking lentils is best suited to soups, curries and purees. Here's how:

Put the lentils in a colander and wash them thoroughly, sifting through them with your hands to make sure there are no small stones.
Add two cups of water for every one cup of lentils. Add any herbs or spices you want to use.
Put the lid on the rice cooker and cook on the regular cycle for 40 minutes.