A recipe for how to cook lentils in the Instant Pot with perfect results every time. Using this super easy water to lentil ratio and cook time makes for the best, tender lentils in your electric pressure cooker.
It seems whenever I’m cooking bean-based dishes lately, I always use the Instant Pot. It saves so much time, and I love how hands-free it makes the cooking process with no soaking.
While I’ve made Instant Pot Lentil Soup and Instant Pot Cheesy Southwestern Lentils, I thought it was time to just write a straightforward post on how to cook lentils in the Instant Pot.
Made with simple seasonings, to use in other recipes or to just eat plain on their own, perhaps with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cilantro?
As with other Instant Pot recipes I’ve tested, I find that when cooked in the Instant Pot, the spices in recipes become a bit less noticeable. So, I amped up these Instant Pot Lentils with a few of my favorite spices – cumin, onion powder and paprika.
I also used my homemade Instant Pot Bone Broth as the stock (I had it on hand in the freezer), but you can swap it out for some boxed chicken or beef broth too.
Lentils are such a healthy dish to have on hand. They are technically “pulses” – the dry, edible seeds of plants in the legume family, which also includes chickpeas, beans and split peas. They’re naturally high in protein and fiber, but low in fat. And, if you’re looking for ways to eat healthier, adding lentils into your daily routine is definitely a great way to do it.
How to Choose Good Dried Lentils
- Because fresher lentils cook up quicker and more tender than old lentils, I generally buy my lentils in the bulk section of the grocery store, where turnover tends to be quicker. After purchasing lentils, aim to use them up within a few months.
What Types of Lentils Work Best in the Instant Pot?
- Green lentils, brown lentils and black lentils will all cook in 10 minutes in the Instant Pot. They will be tender, but firm. Red lentils will become mushy in the Instant Pot, but can be useful in soups and stews. The cook time for red lentils in the Instant Pot is only 5 minutes.
Do You Have to Soak Lentils Before Cooking Them?
- When making lentils in the Instant Pot, you don’t have to soak them. However, you should give lentils a good rinse in a colander and pick through them to be sure there are no hidden stones.
How Do You Cook Lentils in the Instant Pot?
- Add lentils, broth and spices to the pressure cooker. Stir.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set to seal.
- Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- After the time is up, do a quick release by turning the sealing valve.
- Remove the lid and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Lentils in the Instant Pot?
- The cook time to make pressure cooker lentils is 10 minutes, however, you need to also take into account the time it takes for the pressure to build in the pot. It will take about 15 minutes for the pressure to build, then the countdown timer will start. So, in total, it will take about 25 minutes to cook instant pot lentils.
Water to Lentils Ratio
- The water to lentils ratio for cooking lentils in the Instant Pot is 2:1. So, if you are cooking 1 ½ cups of lentils, use 3 cups of stock or water. You can easily double or triple the recipe as well. The cook time will remain the same, though it will take longer for the pressure to build and release in the pot.
Tips for Flavoring Lentils
- Add spices when the lentils go into the instant pot – I like to add cumin, onion powder, and paprika. But you can use any spices you enjoy – cayenne, oregano, thyme and rosemary are all great additions.
- Before cooking, use the saute function of your Instant Pot to brown up some onion and garlic. Then, add in the lentils and cook.
- I like to cook my lentils in broth to give them great flavor.
- When the lentils have finished cooking, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice will add some great acidity and brighten the lentils up a bit.
- Fresh herbs sprinkled over the cooked lentils are delicious. Try parsley or cilantro.
How Much Does 1 Cup of Dried Lentils Make?
- 1 cup of dried lentils makes about 2 ½ cups of cooked lentils and is about four servings.
How Do You Know When Lentils are Cooked?
- Lentils are cooked when they become tender, and are no longer crunchy. While most lentils will take about 10 minutes in the instant pot, older lentils may take longer to cook. If you find that your lentils aren’t yet tender, just put the lid back on the pot and add another minute or two.
How to Freeze Cooked Lentils
- Cooked lentils will keep in the freezer for up to three months. I like to package them into ziploc bags and freeze them flat. This helps to save room in your freezer and makes for quicker thawing.
Instant Pot Basics Recipes:
- How to Cook Rice in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Quinoa
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Chickpeas
- Instant Pot Oatmeal
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
More Lentil Recipes:
- Lentil Soup with Sausage & Kale
- Instant Pot Lentil Bolognese Sauce
- Slow Cooker Lentil Soup with Chipotle
- Instant Pot Lentil Soup with Sausage & Kale
- Instant Pot Cheesy Southwestern Lentils & Brown Rice
- More → 39+ TASTY Lentil Recipes
Instant Pot Lentils Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups brown (black or green lentils)
- 3 cups chicken stock (or bone broth)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Rinse lentils under cold running water and check for rocks.
- Add the rinsed lentils, stock, spices and salt to the Instant Pot.
- Lock the lid and set the steam valve to its “sealing” position.
- Select the “MANUAL” button and cook for 10 minutes on high pressure. It will take about 15 minutes for the pressure to build, then the countdown timer will start.
- When the cook time is up, turn to quick release pressure.
- Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
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I keep hearing so many good things about the Instant Pot. I just might have to invest after all. This would be one of my first recipes.
This sounds delicious!
The InstaPot is a wonderful invention!
Thanks. I’ll let you know once I’ve made this recipe.
Lentils came out more crunchy than I prefer. And I even let it sit for 5 minutes before hitting the natural release. I feel that 15 minutes would have been better.
I made this per instructions using both green and red lentils. Both were delicious; the green were firm and great on a green salad, while the red were creamy and fantastic with a Tbsp of cottage cheese mixed in! Note, I did forget about the reds and let them release naturally.
That sounds amazing Jen!
I was looking for a good water to lentils ratio just to cook lentils by themselves for another dish. Instant pot doesn’t supply the ratio, so I will try this, looks like 2 to 1 water to lentils. Thanks!
Historically, I hate lentils; mushy, ugly, nasty little “healthy” nuggets that I could not bring myself to put in my mouth. This recipe changes all that. They are the PERFECT consistency; the flavor is excellent, and they go with anything. I eat them as meat replacements in chili and curry, with spinach for breakfast, or by themselves. I’ve now made them three times in two weeks. Total keeper. Lentils for the win!
I’m so glad they were a hit Becky!
What did I do wrong? I only cooked for 5 minutes, half of recommended time and they came out to soft and near mushy?! I live solo, so I’ll eat them, but I prefer with more bite. 🙁 just weird and disappointing after reading everyone’s rave reviews.
Oh my! This is soooooo delicious! Thanks for this great flavorful lentil recipe. I love it and will make it again & again!
I’m so glad you liked it Desiree! It’s my favorite way to make lentils!
I LOVE how this recipe turned out! Only thing I did different was use smoked paprika because I didn’t have the regular stuff. I didn’t need to add any salt other than the 1/2 teaspoon in the recipe and that was perfect.
Thanks Catie!
Best lentils we’ve ever made, and we’ve tried a lot of recipes! I added an extra 4 minutes cooking time, since my IP tends to take longer. Hubby said to save this one; it’s a keeper!
Thank you Christin!
Yay, thank you, no more mushy lentils! I’ve even made batches with half lentils and half steel cut oats or bulgur and used it to make taco “meat” or veggie burgers, since I don’t eat animals, it worked great!
A tip if you are in a hurry… while prepping or sautéing your ingredients, boil your broth or water on the stove or microwave before adding to the IP…it cuts the time you have to wait to reach pressure, especially if there is a lot of liquid!