Lentils' Soaking Time In A Hot Pot: How Long Is Too Long?

Soaking lentils before cooking them can help reduce cooking time, make them easier to digest, and reduce the amount of gas they produce. The ideal soaking time for lentils is between two and 24 hours, but they only need to be soaked for a minimum of two hours and a maximum of 12 hours. After soaking, they should be drained and rinsed with fresh, cold water before being cooked.

Soaking lentils: how long and why

Soaking lentils is not necessary, but it can be beneficial for a few reasons. Firstly, it can help to neutralise compounds such as lectins and phytates, which are found naturally in lentils and other plant- and animal-based foods. These compounds can potentially block the absorption of nutrients and cause digestive issues such as bloating and gas. By soaking lentils, you can deactivate these compounds and make them easier to digest, potentially reducing digestive upset. Additionally, soaking can reduce the cooking time of lentils, which is especially useful when preparing a meal on a busy weeknight.

The ideal soaking time for lentils ranges from a minimum of two hours to a maximum of 24 hours. Aim for somewhere between two and four hours as a starting point. After soaking, remember to drain and rinse the lentils with fresh, cold water before cooking them.

If you're looking to cook your lentils in an Instant Pot, you can skip the soaking step altogether. The Instant Pot cooks lentils evenly and eliminates the need for constant monitoring, making it a convenient option. However, if you're cooking lentils on a stovetop, soaking them beforehand can help speed up the cooking process.

When cooking lentils on the stovetop, use a ratio of one cup of lentils to three or four cups of water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the lentils are tender, which usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes. The total cook time, including boiling and simmering, is approximately 35 minutes.

So, to summarise, soaking lentils for a few hours can help reduce cooking time and improve digestibility by neutralising compounds that can cause digestive issues. However, it's not a mandatory step, especially if you're using an Instant Pot for cooking.

Cooking lentils in an Instant Pot

Using an Instant Pot to cook lentils is a quick and easy way to make perfectly tender lentils. The cooking process is completely hands-off! You don't need to soak lentils in advance when you make them in the Instant Pot.

If you want to soak lentils to potentially ease digestion, aim for a minimum of two hours and a maximum of 12. Two to four hours is a good starting point.

How to cook lentils in an Instant Pot

The amount of liquid, cook time, and release time will depend on the type of lentils you are using.

Green, brown, or black lentils

The ratio for green, brown, or black lentils is 1 cup of lentils to 1 and 3/4 cups of liquid (vegetable broth or water). Add 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, and any other seasonings of your choice (bay leaves, fresh or dried herbs, whole spices, chopped onions, garlic cloves, etc.). Secure the lid and select the Pressure Cook setting. Set the timer to 6 to 8 minutes for al dente lentils, or 10 minutes for softer lentils. When the timer beeps, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes. Perform a manual pressure release to vent any remaining steam.

Red lentils

Red lentils are commonly used in Indian dal and soft dishes like soups and curries. They break down quickly and become creamy, making them the perfect thickening agent for stews, soups, and purées. For a soup, stew, or curry, cook red lentils for about 10 minutes in the Instant Pot at high pressure. If you’re just cooking red lentils in plain water, they need only 2-3 minutes and will still get mushy.

Tips for cooking lentils in the Instant Pot

You can simply toss all the ingredients into the Instant Pot, walk away, and come back after the pressure has been released. Lentils are sponges, so they absorb the flavors of the ingredients in which they’re cooked. You can begin by sautéing aromatics in oil, such as onion and garlic. If you like things spicy, you can also sauté some chili peppers. If you’re cooking Indian food, you can also add in cumin seeds and ginger before adding the lentils. Or, if you’re making Mexican-flavored lentils, you might sauté an onion, green pepper, and jalapeño pepper.

Cooking lentils on the stove

Step 1: Rinse and Sort the Lentils

Place the desired amount of lentils in a strainer or colander and rinse them under running water. As you rinse, sort through the lentils and remove any debris, small stones, or shrivelled lentils. This step ensures that your lentils are clean and free from any unwanted materials.

Step 2: Combine Lentils with Water

Transfer the rinsed lentils to a pot or saucepan. The general rule is to use a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio of lentils to water, which means one cup of lentils to three or four cups of water. However, some sources suggest that you can simply fill the pot halfway with water. Adding a bay leaf or a piece of kombu seaweed is optional but can enhance the flavour and improve digestion.

Step 3: Bring to a Boil and Simmer

Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low or medium-low. You want to achieve a gentle simmer with only a few small bubbles and slight movement in the lentils. This step is crucial to prevent overcooking and mushy lentils.

Step 4: Simmer until Tender

Let the lentils simmer uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the type of lentils you're using. Green, brown, and black lentils typically take 20 to 25 minutes, while Lentils de Puy (French Green Lentils) may take up to 30 minutes. Red lentils, which are commonly used in soups and curries, cook the fastest and are usually done in 15 to 20 minutes. Keep in mind that older lentils may take longer to cook and tend to shed their skins.

Step 5: Drain and Season the Lentils

Once the lentils are tender, drain the excess water and discard any seasonings like bay leaves or kombu. Return the lentils to the pan, and add salt and other desired seasonings like olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, or fresh herbs. Stir well to combine flavours.

Step 6: Serve or Store the Lentils

Your lentils are now ready to be served! You can use them in salads, soups, grain bowls, wraps, or any other recipe of your choice. Cooked lentils can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days or frozen for later use.

Soaking Lentils (Optional)

While it is not necessary to soak lentils before cooking, some people choose to do so to reduce cooking time or improve digestion. If you decide to soak your lentils, place them in a bowl and cover them with cold water. Soak for a minimum of two hours and up to 24 hours. Drain the lentils, rinse them again, and then proceed with the cooking steps outlined above.

Cooking lentils in a slow cooker

Step 1: Choosing the Right Lentils

Select the type of lentils you want to cook. There are several varieties, including brown, green, red, French, Puy, beluga, and black lentils, each with unique characteristics. For example, green and brown lentils have thin skins, cook quickly, and soften a lot, making them ideal for thick soups or stews. On the other hand, French or Puy lentils have thicker skins, hold their shape better, and take longer to cook, making them suitable for salads or side dishes.

Step 2: Preparing the Lentils

Before cooking, rinse the lentils with cold water to remove any dirt or debris. It is also essential to pick through the lentils to remove any small stones or shrivelled lentils. This step ensures that you only cook the best quality lentils and avoid any unpleasant surprises while eating.

Step 3: Soaking the Lentils (Optional)

Soaking lentils is not necessary, but it can reduce cooking time and potentially ease digestion by deactivating compounds that may cause tummy troubles. If you choose to soak your lentils, use room-temperature water, and soak them for at least two hours and up to 24 hours. Drain and rinse the lentils again before adding them to your slow cooker.

Step 4: Cooking Liquid and Seasonings

For every cup of lentils, use three cups of liquid. You can use water or broth (vegetable or chicken) for added flavour. If using broth, you may want to reduce the amount of salt you add, as broths can be high in sodium.

Speaking of salt, it's best not to add it at the beginning of cooking, as it can make the lentil skins tough. Instead, season towards the end of cooking or just before serving.

You can also add various seasonings and aromatics to your lentils for extra flavour. Try garlic, onion, bay leaves, cumin, paprika, turmeric, or fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano.

Step 5: Cooking Time and Temperature

Place the lentils, liquid, and seasonings in your slow cooker. Cook on high for 2.5 to 3 hours for regular or green lentils. Red lentils will cook faster and may only need 10-20 minutes, depending on your desired texture. French, Puy, black, and beluga lentils may take a little longer, around 25 to 30 minutes.

Step 6: Serving and Storing

Once your lentils are tender, they are ready to serve! You can enjoy them as a side dish or incorporate them into a more complex meal.

If you have leftovers, lentil dishes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. They can also be frozen for longer-term storage.

How to season lentils

There are many ways to season lentils, and the best method depends on your personal preference and the type of lentils you are using. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to season lentils, as well as some specific seasoning suggestions:

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Season Lentils:

Before cooking the lentils, you can rinse them in a fine mesh sieve and pick them over to remove any small rocks or debris that may be mixed in with the dried lentils. Then, when cooking the lentils, you can add aromatics such as bay leaves, garlic, fresh herbs, or other seasonings to the water. You can also season the lentils after they have finished cooking by adding some twists of freshly cracked black pepper or any other desired herbs or spices.

Specific Seasoning Suggestions:

• Sauté cooked lentils with garlic, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. You can also add a handful of chopped walnuts for crunch!
• Cook lentils with aromatics such as onion, green pepper, and jalapeño pepper for Mexican-flavoured lentils.
• Add aromatics such as cumin seeds, ginger, onion, garlic, serrano pepper, coriander, garam masala, red chilli powder, and turmeric for Indian-flavoured lentils.
• For a simple pot of lentils, cook them with olive oil, garlic, vegetable broth, sea salt, black pepper, thyme sprigs, and a bay leaf.
• For a curry, cook lentils with coconut oil, onion, garlic, ginger, serrano pepper, garam masala, curry powder, cumin, turmeric, vegetable broth, sea salt, and black pepper.
• For a lentil soup, cook lentils with coconut oil, onion, garlic, ginger, serrano pepper, garam masala, curry powder, cumin, turmeric, vegetable broth, sweet potatoes, sea salt, and black pepper.
• For a lentil curry, cook lentils with garlic, onion, ginger, chilli peppers, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, dried chilli peppers, vegetable broth, salt, and black pepper.
• For a lentil stew, cook lentils with aromatics such as onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, or turmeric.

Frequently asked questions