Instant Pot Lentils- Soaked & Unsoaked

Use this easy and foolproof method to cook tender, creamy lentils in the Instant Pot, with or without soaking! This method makes them tender, full of flavor, and quick and easy. Enjoy this delicious, inexpensive pantry staple in a variety of dishes with a touch of a button.

Lentils are one of the earliest domesticated foods, with remnants of lentils found on the banks of the Euphrates River from as early as 8000 B.C. They soon spread from modern day Syria to Greece, Egypt, and later to other parts of the world.

Lentils are considered "pulse crops," which are the edible seeds of the legume family. They're full of nutrients, making them a healthy, inexpensive pantry staple that can be used in a variety of recipes.

Fun fact: In World War II, lentils gained popularity in the United States when they were advertised as an inexpensive alternative to meat.

Why Cook Lentils in the Instant Pot

I prefer to cook my lentils in the Instant Pot rather than using other methods because:

• It's so fast! Using a pressure cooker to cook your lentils takes as little as just 3 minutes, depending on the type of lentil.
• No hovering over a pot on the stove - this method is almost completely hands-off.
• Your lentils end up perfectly tender every time.
• This method is perfect with or without soaking your lentils ahead of time.

Lentils Conversion- Dried to Cooked

Dried lentils grow in size after cooking. Use this chart to figure out how much dried lentils you need for a certain amount of cooked ones. The suggested serving size is base on a standard serving of ¼ cup (2 oz.) dried lentils per person.

Dried Lentils	Cooked Lentils	Serves
1 cup	2½ cups	4-5 people
2 cups	5 cups	8-10 people
1 pound	7 cups	12-15 people

Do lentils have to be soaked before using?

While soaking lentils prior to cooking isn't necessary, I prefer to soak a few varieties. The soak time may be different for each variety. Some lentils only need a rinse, while some benefit from a 10-minute soak, and others for a few hours.

Long ago, when I researched the reasons to soak, this is what I learnt:

• The shells of lentils contain anti-nutrients such as lectin and phytates, which can be hard to digest. Soaking lentils helps neutralize those and makes lentils easier on your stomach.
• It gets rid of the anti-nutrients that can keep the body from fully absorbing the nutrients.
• Just like beans, lentils contain sugars that can cause flatulence and bloating, soaking and rinsing, helps minimize that.
• Soaking lentils prior to cooking cuts down on cook time as well.

To soak your lentils, rinse them first. Add them to a large bowl and cover them with enough fresh water. Depending on the kind of lentil, let it soak for 10 minutes to overnight. After they've soaked, rinse them again before cooking.

Cooking Times for Different Lentils/ Indian Dals

Refer to this easy cheat-sheet for cook times. Depending on the variety of lentils, some were simply rinsed, or soaked for 10 to 15 minutes, or for 2 to 3 hours, and some overnight. These lentils were then cooked on High Pressure, then the pressure was naturally released.

Keep in mind that while you will set your cook time to the amount noted, actual cooking will take longer since the pressure cooker takes about 10 minutes to reach pressure.

Beans	Soak Time	Cook Time – Soak	Cook Time – No Soak
Green lentils /Green Moong Dal	10 minutes	10 minutes	12 minutes
Brown lentils/ Whole Masoor Dal	10 minutes	12 minutes	14 minutes
Red lentils/ Split Masoor Dal	No Soak	3 minutes	3 minutes
Black Lentils/ Urad Sabut	4-6 hours	30 minutes	45 minutes
Split Pigeon Peas/ Toor Dal	10 minutes	6 minutes	8-9 minutes
Yellow Lentils/ Moong Dal	No soak	3 minutes	3 minutes
Split Chickpeas/ Chana Dal	10 minutes	12 minutes	14 minutes

Note on Texture: If you are using lentils in a salad, cook green lentils for 9 minutes and brown lentils for 10 minutes. If you want a softer, mushier texture with red lentils, cook them for 5 minutes.

Step By Step Instructions for Instant Pot Lentils

1. Pick through Lentils: Run your fingers through to be sure there are no foreign particles or pebbles. (pic 1)
2. Rinse lentils well: Rinse the lentils in cool water in a strainer. Soak in fresh water, if needed. (pic 2)
3. Add lentils and liquid: Add 1 cup of drained lentils and 1½ -2 cups water or vegetable broth to the Instant Pot, as well as any seasonings or additional vegetables. (pics 3-5)
4. Set cooking time: Close the lid on sealing position. Using the above cheat-sheet, set the cooking time on High Pressure.
5. Let Instant Pot naturally release: Allow the pressure cooker to natural pressure release (NPR). Open the lid once the pin drops (pic 6). Give it a stir and adjust seasoning. If needed, simmer to reduce the liquid.

How to Use Cooked Lentils with Onion-Tomato Bhuna Masala

If you have some prepared onion tomato bhuna masala in your fridge, add ½-cup of the masala to the lentils and simmer on medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes. Add a few tablespoons water if needed. Adjust seasoning and serve with rice or roti.

If using from frozen, thaw it in the microwave for 30 to 40 seconds, then add to cooked lentils and follow the remaining instructions.

How to Store Cooked Lentils

If you have leftover lentils after cooking, you can store them in a couple of different ways:

• Refrigerator: Put cooked lentils in an airtight container and keep in the fridge 3-4 days.
• Freezer: Store in an airtight container up to 6 months.

Cooking Tips & Notes

• Soak - Soaking your lentils makes them easier to digest and cuts down on the amount of time they need to be cooked.
• Water or vegetable broth - You can cook your lentils with either water or vegetable broth for more flavor.
• Customize the seasoning- I have used Indian spices in this recipe, but you can use 2 to 3 teaspoons of your favorite spice blend- Italian, Cajun, Lemon-pepper, or any other blends that you like. Just be mindful of the salt content and adjust the quantity accordingly.
• Adding acidic ingredients - Wait until your lentils are done cooking before adding acidic ingredients such as lemon juice. Adding those ingredients too early can keep the lentils from becoming tender.

Instant Pot Lentils FAQ

Easy Instant Pot Lentils Recipes From My Kitchen

• Instant Pot Dal Palak (Spinach Dal): This Dal Palak recipe is a blend of split lentils and delicate baby spinach quickly prepared in the Instant Pot, then tempered with nutty ghee and warm Indian spices. 
• Zesty Instant Pot Lentil Soup: Hearty lentils cook up in a flash in the pressure cooker, with Mediterranean herbs and a few Middle Eastern spices that give this soup it's bright and vibrant flavor.
• Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew: This Misir Wot recipe is an Ethiopian red lentil stew gracefully prepared with clarified butter, aromatics and an earthy and floral spice blend known as Berbere. 
• Instant Pot Sambar (South Indian Lentil Stew): This popular curry is packed with vegetables and finished with a touch of tangy tamarind paste. It comes together in 40 minutes and is best enjoyed with rice, idli or dosa.
• Dal Makhani in Instant Pot: This restaurant style Dal Makhani is a creamy, rich and flavor packed lentil curry made with black lentils and kidney beans with aromatics and toasted Indian spices in an Instant Pot pressure cooker.
• Instant Pot Chana Dal: Chana Dal is a creamy mildly spiced North Indian style lentil curry made with split chickpeas, onions, ginger, garlic, tomatoes and simple Indian spices.
• More Instant Pot Lentils recipes.

📖 Recipe