Lentils Done Right: Mastering The Water-To-Lentil Ratio For A Hearty Hot Pot

Cooking lentils in a hot pot is a simple and tasty way to prepare this nutritious legume. The process is straightforward: combine your lentils with water or broth, add seasonings, and cook for around 20 minutes. The ratio of lentils to water is important: for brown and green lentils, use one part lentils to three parts water. For red lentils, which cook faster and become mushy, the ratio is one part lentils to two parts water.

Lentils are a versatile and inexpensive source of plant-based protein. They can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads and tacos to pasta sauces and soups. When cooked in a hot pot, lentils provide a convenient and healthy addition to any meal.

Lentil to water ratio

When cooking lentils, you don't need to be too precise with your lentil to water ratio. The general rule is 1 part lentils to 3 parts water. So, for 1 pound of lentils, you'd want to use 3 pounds of water. However, this can vary depending on your desired outcome and the type of lentils you're using.

For example, if you're cooking brown or green lentils for a soup or stew, you might want them to be softer and mushier, so you can use less water, or cook them for longer. On the other hand, if you're using French green lentils or black lentils, which hold their shape better when cooked, you might want to use a bit more water, or cook them for a shorter time, so they don't get too soft.

It's also worth noting that red and yellow lentils cook much more quickly than other varieties and tend to break up and dissolve as they cook. So, if you're using these, you might want to adjust the amount of water you use, or the cooking time, accordingly.

In general, it's a good idea to keep an eye on your lentils as they cook and adjust the amount of water or cooking time as needed. You can always add more water if the lentils are absorbing it too quickly, or drain excess water if they're looking too mushy.

Cooking time

The cooking time for lentils varies depending on the type of lentil and the desired texture. Here is a guide for cooking lentils on the stove, in an Instant Pot, or slow cooker:

Stovetop Method:

Lentils can be cooked on the stovetop by combining them with water or broth in a pot and bringing the mixture to a boil. The heat is then reduced, and the lentils are left to simmer for around 20-25 minutes, or until they reach the desired tenderness. For softer lentils, the cooking time can be extended to 30-35 minutes. Once cooked, the lentils should be drained and allowed to cool before being added to other recipes.

Instant Pot Method:

For cooking lentils in an Instant Pot, the lentil-to-water ratio is crucial. The recommended ratio is 1 cup of lentils to 3 cups of water or broth. The lentils and liquid are placed in the Instant Pot, and it is advised to add seasonings of choice. The lid is then secured, and the pressure cook setting is selected. The cooking time will depend on the type of lentil and desired texture.

For brown and green lentils, a cooking time of 6-8 minutes at high pressure is recommended for firmer lentils, while 12 minutes will result in softer lentils. If you want the lentils to break down and soften further, you can cook them for up to 15 or even 20 minutes.

French green lentils (Puy lentils) take a shorter time, around 6-8 minutes, and black beluga lentils should be cooked for about 6-8 minutes for a firmer texture or up to 10 minutes for a softer texture.

Once the cooking time is complete, allow a natural pressure release for about 10 minutes, and then manually release any remaining steam. Open the pot, discard any aromatics, and transfer the lentils to a bowl or container. The cooked lentils can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for 4-6 months.

Slow Cooker/Crock Pot Method:

When cooking lentils in a slow cooker or crock pot, combine 1/3 cup of dry lentils with 2-3 cups of water, broth, or stock. The slow cooker can be set to LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, depending on the desired cooking time. Once the lentils are tender, they should be drained and allowed to cool before being added to other recipes.

Instant Pot settings

To cook lentils in an Instant Pot, you'll want to follow these steps:

Step 1: Rinse and Prepare the Lentils

Give the lentils a good rinse in a colander and pick through them to make sure there are no hidden stones.

Step 2: Add the Lentils, Liquid, and Spices to the Instant Pot

Add the lentils, liquid (water or broth), and any spices you want to include to the Instant Pot. For 1 cup of lentils, you'll want to add 3 cups of liquid. You can also add salt, pepper, and other seasonings like bay leaves, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and dried chilli peppers.

Step 3: Secure the Lid and Set the Instant Pot

Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the steam valve to its "sealing" position.

Step 4: Set the Timer

Set the timer for the desired cook time. This will depend on the type of lentils you're using and how soft you want them to be. Here are some guidelines for different types of lentils:

• Red lentils: 2-3 minutes for plain water, 5 minutes for soups/stews/curries, 10 minutes for a mushy texture
• Brown and green lentils: 6-8 minutes for firmer lentils, 12 minutes for softer lentils, 15-20 minutes for a purée
• French green lentils: 6-8 minutes
• Black beluga lentils: 6-10 minutes

Step 5: Release the Pressure

When the timer goes off, let the pot sit for a natural pressure release for about 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining steam by moving the pressure release valve from the "Sealing" position to the "Venting" position.

Step 6: Season and Serve

Once the pressure is released, open the pot and give the lentils a stir. Add any additional seasonings, such as salt, pepper, or fresh herbs, and serve warm.

Natural pressure release

Natural release is the most common pressure release method. It is also referred to as Instant Pot manual release or natural pressure release. While the Instant Pot is cooling down and pressure is being released naturally, the heating element in the base is still very hot. So the food inside continues to cook, but at a slower pace.

• Use Instant Pot natural release for longer-cooking foods. The food continues cooking even after the cooking cycle is complete.
• The pressure releases gradually and there’s less movement in the Instant Pot.
• Foods with skin (e.g. potatoes, beans) — the natural release method allows the skin to stay intact instead of bursting since the pressure and temperature go down gradually.
• Natural release is the equivalent of allowing meats to rest after they have been grilled or roasted, which allows the juices to settle into the meat. This is especially useful for large cuts of meat. When you do an Instant Pot quick release, the pressure drops very rapidly. This causes the meat fibres to compress, squeezing out fats and juices, and that can leave the meat tough and dry.
• Doing a natural release of pressure allows the juices to settle back into the meat, making the meat tender and flavourful.
• Doing an Instant Pot quick release when cooking foamy foods like grains or pasta can cause a big mess because the foam can spurt out of the pressure release valve. Doing a natural release allows the pressure and temperature to fall gradually, which reduces the mess.
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How to do a natural release:

Once pressure cooking has completed, the Instant Pot will chime and will begin counting up the minutes (if in Keep Warm mode). Wait for the float valve to drop on its own. Press Cancel and open the lid by turning it counterclockwise. You’ll hear a chime.

Natural release is the slowest pressure release method. Instant Pot natural release can take 10 to 40 minutes, depending on quantity, density, and type of food. Some Instant Pot recipes include this time in the cooking time but some do not. Be sure to take the natural release time into account. If there’s a lot of liquid and food, the longer it takes to do a natural release. The denser the food, the more time it takes to release pressure too.

The Keep Warm function can be on or off when doing a natural release. To turn the Keep Warm setting off, press Cancel.

Seasoning

The seasoning in a lentil hot pot is what makes it so delicious. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure your hot pot is full of flavour.

Firstly, you can cook your lentils in vegetable broth or stock instead of water. This will add extra flavour to your lentils as they cook. You can also add salt and pepper to taste at the end of cooking.

If you want to add even more flavour, you can sauté some aromatics such as onion, garlic, and chilli peppers in oil before adding your lentils and water/broth to the pot. You can also add spices such as cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and dried chilli peppers at this stage.

For a Mexican-inspired flavour profile, you could sauté an onion, green pepper, and jalapeño pepper. For an Indian-inspired dish, you could add cumin seeds and ginger to the aromatics.

Other spices you could add include cumin, paprika, and turmeric. You could also add fresh or dried herbs such as thyme, rosemary, oregano, sage, and bay leaves.

For a lentil and potato hot pot, you could fry onions and garlic in oil before adding in tinned tomatoes, dried mixed herbs, water, and lentils. This forms a tasty tomato sauce for your lentils to cook in.

If you want to keep things simple, you can just add 1 teaspoon of chilli powder and 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder per cup of dry lentils. A squeeze of lemon or lime juice at the end of cooking will also brighten the flavours of the dish.

Finally, don't forget to season with salt and pepper to taste at the end of cooking. Enjoy your lentil hot pot!

Frequently asked questions