Cody Casey
Cooking lentils in a crock pot is a convenient and tasty way to prepare this versatile legume. They can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups to sauces, and even as a meat substitute. Crock pots are ideal for cooking lentils because they can be left unattended for long periods, and the slow-cooking process infuses the lentils with flavour. The cooking time for lentils in a crock pot can vary depending on the desired texture, but generally, they will be ready within a few hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 4-5 hours |
| Ingredients | Regular, green, or brown lentils; water or broth; seasonings |
| Recipe | Rinse lentils; add to crock pot with water/broth and seasonings; cook until tender |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; freeze for up to 3-6 months |
| Variations | Crockpot lentil soup; crockpot lentil soup with ham, bacon, or sausage; slow cooker Mediterranean lentil stew; slow cooker lentil curry |
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What You'll Learn
Crockpot lentil soup
To make crockpot lentil soup, you will need lentils, vegetables like onions, carrots, celery, and garlic, as well as spices and vegetable broth. You can use either green or brown lentils for this recipe, as they hold their shape and texture during cooking. However, avoid using red lentils as they produce a different consistency and break down quickly.
Start by rinsing the lentils and removing any debris. Dice the onions, slice the carrots and celery, and mince the garlic. Combine all the ingredients, including the spices and vegetable broth, in a slow cooker. Cover and cook until the lentils and vegetables are tender. The cooking time can vary depending on your preference for texture. For a firmer texture, cook for a shorter time, and for softer lentils and vegetables, extend the cooking time.
Once the lentils and vegetables are tender, stir in the tomatoes and let the soup cook for about 20 minutes longer to heat them through. The acid in tomatoes can prevent lentils from softening, which is why they are added towards the end of the cooking process. Finally, season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
You can also add various ingredients to crockpot lentil soup to suit your taste. For example, adding a Parmesan rind or nutritional yeast boosts flavour, while vegetables like spinach or kale can be added before serving. Spices like rosemary, curry powder, turmeric, ginger, or garlic can enhance the flavour and give it a Southeast Asian twist.
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Cooking times
Yes, you can cook lentils in a crock pot. The cooking time will depend on the type of lentil and the consistency you are looking for.
For solid lentils, cooking for 4-5 hours should be enough. You can also mash them after this cooking time. If you want to make dal, you can cook them for 6 hours or mash them along the way. For softer lentils, you can extend the cooking time to 30-35 minutes.
If you are making a stew, the lentils will be tender after cooking on high for 3-4 hours. You can also cook them on the stove over low heat for several hours.
If you are in a hurry, you can cook lentils in an Instant Pot in about 20 minutes. On the stove, they will take about 30 minutes.
Lentils are a great, versatile, and inexpensive ingredient. They are loaded with vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, protein, and fiber. They can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups and sauces to taco filling. They are also a good substitute for meat.
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Storing and reheating
Lentils are a great option for making large batches and storing them for later. Once cooked, let the lentils cool and then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. If you don't plan on eating them within that time frame, you can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
To reheat, you can use a microwave, stovetop, or pot. For the stovetop or pot, add a little water or broth to thin the lentils as needed and warm them over low heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. If you're using a microwave, simply defrost and reheat the desired portion.
If you're freezing your lentils, use an airtight, freezer-safe container, and they will last for up to 3 months. For longer freezer storage of up to 6 months, use airtight containers and defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Now you can enjoy your hearty and healthy lentils anytime, straight from your refrigerator or freezer!
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Mediterranean lentil stew
Yes, you can cook lentils in a crock pot. In fact, lentils are a great option for crock pot meals as they are inexpensive, versatile, and easy to cook. They can be used as a base for a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, sauces, and even taco filling.
Below is a detailed recipe for a Mediterranean lentil stew that can be made in a crock pot.
Ingredients:
- Regular, green, or brown lentils (red lentils can be used but will not hold their texture)
- Chopped tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Garlic
- Spices (curry powder, turmeric, ginger, etc.)
- Vegetable broth or water
- Olive oil or butter
- Bay leaves (optional)
- Creamed coconut (optional)
Instructions:
- Rinse the lentils to remove any dirt.
- Warm vegetable broth or water in the crock pot on High until dissolved.
- Add the lentils, carrots, and potatoes to the crock pot.
- Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat and add olive oil or butter.
- Fry the onions for about 5 minutes, then add the garlic and spices, including cumin and coriander, and fry for another 5 minutes.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste to the saucepan and cook for a few minutes.
- Transfer the mixture from the saucepan to the crock pot and combine with the lentils, carrots, and potatoes.
- Cook on High, stirring every 30 minutes, until the lentils are tender and the stew has thickened. This should take around 3 to 4 hours, but adjust the cooking time as needed.
- Serve the stew with a piece of bread for dipping.
Tips:
- You can add more liquid if the stew is too thick.
- For a vegan option, use vegetable broth instead of water and omit the butter.
- This recipe can also be adapted for a stovetop. Simply cook the ingredients in a large pot over low heat for several hours.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
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Crockpot lentil curry
Yes, you can cook lentils in a crockpot. In fact, crockpots are great for cooking lentils as they are mostly hands-off and contain their heat well.
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked brown lentils
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 sweet potato (3/4-1 lb.)
- 2 carrots
- 1 15oz. can of petite diced tomatoes
- 1 15oz. can of tomato sauce
- 3 Tbsp curry powder (mild or hot)
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 1 cup cooked rice
- Finely diced red onion
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Dice the onion and mince the garlic cloves.
- Peel and dice the sweet potato and slice the carrots.
- Add the onion, garlic, sweet potato, and carrots to the crockpot, along with the lentils, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, curry powder, and ground cloves.
- Stir everything together, combining all the ingredients well.
- Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7-8 hours.
- Once cooked, the lentils should be tender, and most of the liquid should be absorbed.
- Stir in the can of coconut milk and taste the curry.
- Adjust the salt and other spices as needed.
- To serve, add 1 cup of cooked rice to a bowl, followed by 1 cup of the lentil curry mixture.
- Top with finely diced red onion and fresh cilantro.
Tips
- You can use either hot or mild curry powder, depending on whether you prefer your lentils to be mild or spicy.
- Red lentils will work in this recipe, but they won't hold their texture and will release their starches into the dish quickly.
- You can also add other vegetables like spinach or kale to the crockpot lentil curry.
- This recipe makes a large batch, so you can portion it into single-serving freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to six months.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time varies depending on the consistency you want to achieve. For solid lentils that can be mashed, cook for 4-5 hours. For a softer consistency, cook for 6 hours.
It is recommended to use regular, green, or brown lentils. Red lentils are more delicate and break down when cooked for a long time.
First, rinse the lentils to remove any dirt. Then, add the lentils to the crock pot with water or broth and your desired seasonings. Set the crock pot to low heat and let it cook for the desired amount of time.
