- Prep-time: / Ready In:
- Makes 4½ cups
- Serving size: ¼ of recipe
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Preparing a batch of lentils from scratch allows you to simmer the legumes with aromatic vegetables so they soak up all their tasty goodness. This all-purpose vegan instant pot lentil recipe makes a nice hearty dinner for two people. It calls for a classic combination of onion, celery, carrot, and garlic as a base, then kicks the flavor up even more with tangy diced tomatoes. The result is an extremely versatile dish that can be served on its own or over grains (it is especially good with whole-wheat couscous), spooned into tortillas, served cold as a spread or dip, and even thinned with broth to make soup. Green lentils will hold their shape better than brown, and you could also use black (beluga) lentils here, too.
Recipe from cleanfooddirtygirl.com
By Molly Patrick,
Last Updated:
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- ½ cup chopped carrot
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 14.5-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed and drained
- ¼ cup snipped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Set an Instant Pot electric pressure cooker on the sauté setting and allow it to heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently and adding water 1 tablespoon at a time as needed to prevent sticking. Add the celery, carrot, and garlic; cook for 2 more minutes, stirring frequently.
- Press the cooker’s “Cancel” button, then stir in 3 cups of water plus the tomatoes and lentils.
- Lock the cooker’s lid in place, adjust the setting to “Manual,” and cook for 20 minutes. Let it stand to release pressure naturally, at least 10 minutes. If necessary, carefully open the steam vent to release any remaining pressure. Open lid carefully. Stir in the parsley, salt, and pepper.
Per serving (¼ of recipe): 222 calories, 42 g carbohydrates, 14 g protein, 1 g total fat, 0.2 g saturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 344 mg sodium, 9 g fiber, 7.3 g sugar
Note: Nutritional information is provided as an estimate only.
Comments (20)
(4 from 4 votes)Does the lentils have to be canned?
Hi Laura. In this recipe the lentils should not be canned, but should be dry lentils. To prepare them for cooking, you need to rinse and drain them to remove any debris that sometimes comes with lentils.
Need to be more specific on instant pot settings. Do you pressure cook the rest after initial sauteing? High/Low???
Can Red Lentils be used?
Hi Karen, I wouldn't use red lentils here as they cook much more quickly and you'll end up with mush. Though, it will probably be a delicious mush!
My husband and I like this recipe. I used water and added cumin and a bay leaf. I like to add a small splash of basalmic vinegar to each bowl. I agree with the person who said add some spices you like. I hope you didn’t throw it out Cheryl and can add some flavors you like. Good luck and hang in there!
I made this recipe and it was so bland, it is still sitting in the instant pot. It looked good, but i just couldn’t eat it as it has no flavor. Is this how the rest of eating whole is like?
No instant pot ... how do I cook it in a regular pot on the stove? Same issue as Dora.
Hi Cindy, Yes, you can make this in a regular pot on the stove. In step 3, just simmer on low-medium for 20 to 30 minutes until the lentils are soft and tender. If it looks like you need more liquid, add more water as needed. Let us know how it goes!
I don’t have an instant pot pressure cooker. How long to cook with large pot on a gas stove?
Hi Dora, Brown and green lentils take 20 to 30 minutes when cooked on the stove in a pot. And yes, it would be easy enough to prepare this recipe in a regular pot. Just be sure the lentils are cooked—they will lose their crunch and become soft and tender.
My family has been making this recipe for decades👍
This recipe was just a little bit more than wonderful! Thank you.
I might jazz this up a bit with fire roast tomatoes or tomatoes with green chilis. I’d add salt and pepper earlier to cook into the lentils and agree with using veg broth instead of water. Green lentils are a perfect backdrop for many flavors esp curry, Italian, even Mexican. So add your favorite spices.
I have made this recipe many times over the last couple of years and it's delicious. I like that it is not over-seasoned, and the flavor of the vegetables, garlic, and lentils does the work. Easy to make and just a great vegan comfort food.
Bland and is like eating oatmeal with a few veggies.
How would someone cook this if they do not have an Instant Pot?
You cook lentils at a simmer 20-30 minutes on the stove. Have them just covered by the liquid.
I agree, but I started using broth instead of water and it makes an huge improvement!