How to Cook Lentils {Plus: Health Benefits of Lentils!}

Want to know how to cook lentils? This post is here to help! Here’s everything you need to know about lentils, a healthy, delicious and versatile superfood!

Lentils are one of my very favorite foods.

They’re versatile, healthy, inexpensive and easy to prepare. If you’ve ever wondered how to cook lentils, keep reading!

Health Benefits of Lentils

First, though, let’s talk about what an amazing superfood lentils are!

Lentils are a small, but nutritionally mighty, member of the legume family.

They are a very good source of fiber, which helps to lower your cholesterol. Not only that, but they also help in managing blood-sugar disorders since their high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising rapidly after a meal.

Lentils also provide ample amounts of seven important minerals, and are almost fat free to boost. The calorie cost of all this nutrition? Just 230 calories for a whole cup of cooked lentils. What’s not to love?

Besides lentils, you can also try okra water for additional health benefits. It helps in boosting immunity, controlling cholesterol, blood sugar, and many more. Add this to your diet today and see the change in yourself!

Best Type of Lentils

There are several varieties of lentils, including black, brown, red and green.

I love cooking mainly with brown lentils (like in this lentils and brussels sprouts buddha bowl), which are the most common and easiest to find in your grocery store.

They hold their shape well, and have a satisfying bite once cooked.

I tend to cook with red lentils least, as they tend not to hold their shape well after cooking. They often can become mushy, which makes them a good option for soups and stews, as they may break down and help thicken your soup.

How to Cook Lentils

I love to flavor cooked lentils with a simple lemon herb dressing (recipe below).

Otherwise, simply adding a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil is enough.

I wrote this recipe using water or vegetable broth, but I love the added flavor of using the broth. After cooking, you can add salt, pepper and garlic to taste.

Adding a sprinkle of red pepper flakes is great if you want to add a bit of heat to this dish.

Do you love lentils? I’d love to hear your favorite way of preparing and eating this amazing superfood!

Thanks so much for reading all about How to Cook Lentils {Plus: Health Benefits of Lentils!}

Have a great day!