Ingredient

Lentils recipes and substitutes

Lentils cook quickly, thicken soups, and make budget-friendly vegetarian meals more filling.

Recipes with Lentils

A pot of lentil vegetable soup with bread nearby
47 min 5 servings Low cost

Lentil Vegetable Soup

A hearty soup with lentils, carrots, tomatoes, and herbs for easy weekly meal prep.

veganfreezer friendlyhigh fiber
A bowl of red lentil dal with herbs
38 min 4 servings Low cost

Red Lentil Dal

Comforting red lentils simmered with tomatoes, ginger, and fragrant spices.

veganone potfreezer friendly
Colourful lentil and vegetable salad
18 min 4 servings Low cost

Crunchy Lentil and Carrot Salad

A sturdy lunch salad with lentils, grated carrot, crisp cabbage, and a mustardy lemon dressing.

saladmeal prepvegan
Creamy lentil soup in a bowl
40 min 4 servings Low cost

Coconut Lentil Soup

A creamy red lentil soup with coconut milk, tomatoes, and warming spices.

soupveganfreezer friendly

Common uses

  • Use red lentils to thicken soups, dals, and sauces.
  • Use brown or green lentils in salads, bakes, and meal-prep bowls.
  • Blend cooked lentils into soups for a creamy texture without cream.

Storage and shelf life

Dried lentils keep for up to a year in an airtight container. Cooked lentils last 3 to 4 days refrigerated and freeze well for about 3 months.

Substitutions and ratios

  • Use split peas 1:1 in soups, allowing extra cooking time.
  • Use canned beans 1:1 by drained weight; add them late in cooking.
  • Replace red lentils with yellow lentils 1:1 in dal-style recipes.

Keep cooking