If you’re looking for the best lentil recipes, you’ve come to the right place. These 20+ lentil meals are easy to makepacked with fiber, and with simple ingredients.

From hearty soups to vibrant salads, these recipes show the potential of lentils to transform into mouthwatering dinners and mealprep-friendly lunch ideas.

Easy lentil recipes

Lentils come in various sizes and colors: black, fiery red, earthy brown, vibrant green, and warm yellow.

These lentil varieties offer distinct flavors and textures:

  1. Red lentils, swift to cook and tender in texture, infuse dishes with a mild sweetness.
  2. Brown lentils, robust and earthy, stand firm in hearty stews and soups.
  3. Green lentils bring a slightly peppery taste, pairing exquisitely with salads.
  4. Yellow lentils radiate a gentle flavor, excellent for creamy curries and dahl.
  5. Black lentils, or beluga lentils, work well in salads, soups, stews, and curries.

Whichever shade you choose, lentils add wholesome richness and plantbased protein to your meals.

Lentil hummus topped with lentils

Let’s explore how to cook nourishing and tasty meals with this versatile legume.

Lentil recipes video

Our Best Lentil Recipes

1. Lentil curry

lentil curry with basmati rice and yogurt

Our first lentil recipe is a creamy and rich lentil curry, a favorite dinner recipe in our home. It’s ready in 30 minutes using split red lentils and pairs with most veggies.

Serve your curry with white rice and lemon wedges; dinner is ready.

2. Lentil bolognese

Lentil Bolognese on a white plate

This rich and earthy lentil bolognese is an excellent sauce for spaghetti, lasagna, and linguine pasta.

It’s plant-based, made with green or brown lentils, and a restaurantworthy meal with authentic Italian flavor.

3. Lentil tabbouleh salad

lentil tabbouleh with a silver spoon

This lentil tabbouleh salad is a refreshing starter or side dish with added plantbased protein.

Serve as is with pita bread and hummus, and enjoy a wholesome Middle-Eastern side dish.

4. Easy lentil pasta

pasta and lentils

This Italian lentil pasta is perfect for a tasty, easy everyday dinner and one-pot meal.

We use green or brown lentils to make a rich, wholesome, and satiating pasta dish. Our tip: freeze the leftovers or eat them the day after – this pasta is even more flavourful after a couple of days.

5. Curry lentil soup

curry lentil soup with sourdough bread and a spoon

In this comforting bowl of curry lentil soup, aromatic spices take center stage and enhance the earthy richness of the lentils with turmeric, curry, and cumin.

These golden spices add a vibrant color and bring antiinflammatory benefits, creating a hearty and wholesome soup that nourishes the body and soul.

6. Sweet potato and lentil salad

lentils and sweet potato salad

Sweet potato cubes are perfect in this colorful sweet potato lentil salad. Have it for lunch, a make-ahead dinner, or bring it to potlucks and picnics.

This is one of our favorite ways of eating canned lentils, a crowdpleaser and family favorite.

7. Carrot salad with lentils

Lentil carrot salad with shaved almonds

Our carrot lentil salad is a delicious and aromatic recipe with tender boiled carrotsfragrant ground cumin, canned lentils, and other simple ingredients.

It’s a perfect lunch idea for school or the office and stores in the fridge in the fridge for 3-4 days.

8. Lentil soup with leafy greens

Lentil soup with spoon and bread

This lentil soup is perfect as an everyday dinner and a makeahead meal, as you can store it for up to 4 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.

It’s made with green lentils and a onepot method; serve it with a slice of toasted bread for a balanced protein-packed dinner.

9. Lentil hummus

lentil hummus in a bowl with bread

Creamy, velvety smooth, and ready in 5 minutes.

Try this easy and creamy lentil dip if you’re looking for a dip with your appetizer or vary your hummus routine.

10. Stuffed zucchini boats

Easy zucchini boats on a platter

These lentil zucchini boats fall without doubt into the healthy comfort food category.

They are nutritious, easy to make, and packed with wholesome plant-based protein.

11. Red lentil soup

Red lentil soup with garlic, lemon, bread, and rosemary

This hearty and tomato-rich red lentil soup is our winter weeknight favorite.

Red lentils cook in 1520 minutes, making this soup ready in 30 minutes.

12. Lentil and rice ‘Mujaddara’

Mujadara served on a spread of labneh on a plate with a fork

Lentil, rice, and onion Mujaddara is a delicious Middle-Eastern dish seasoned with spices and caramelized onions.

Serve it as a wholesome dinner with a tahini yogurt sauce and green salad.

13. Lentil vegetable soup

Lentil Vegetable Soup with hand

This spinach lentil soup is wholesomehearty, and with a beautiful herby flavor.

The lentils make the dish nutritious and fulfilling, with textureproteiniron, and heart and gut-healthy fiber. Make a big batch of the soup and store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days for busy weeknights.

14. Mushroom lentil Wellington

Mushroom Wellington recipe with lentil filling and roasted potatoes on the side

If you’re looking for a tasty vegetarian centerpiece with lentils, this is our choice: lentil mushroom Wellington.

We make it with vegetables and walnuts, and It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser when served with a creamy mushroom gravy and a side of green beans.

15. Stuffed bell peppers

stuffed bell peppers topped with caramelized onions and yogurt

Next on our list is stuffed bell peppers with lentilsricefresh herbs, caramelized onions, and fragrant spices.

The aromatic filling absorbs the juice of the bell peppers, and the combination of flavors and textures makes this recipe an irresistible vegetarian dinner.

16. Moroccan lentil soup

Moroccan lentil soup with a silver spoon and pickled red onions

Moroccan lentil soup is a tasty, creamy, and satisfying recipe you can serve as a main course with pita bread and flatbread, topped with quick pickled red onions and a dollop of yogurt sauce.

It’s easy to make in one pot, and its texture and consistency are rustic, thick, and creamy, almost like a lentil stew.

17. Lentil chili

lentil chili in a white bowl with avocado and pickled red onions

Lentil and bean chili is a tasty and wholesome one-pot meal where green or brown lentils replace the ground meat in classic chili con carne.

It’s a hearty, satisfying, and high-protein meal that is easy to make with pantry staples and is excellent for meal prep.

18. Turkish lentil soup

Turkish red lentil soup with fresh parsley and chilil oil

Our Turkish red lentil soup is easy to make in 30 minutes and one pot.

It has a smooth, creamy, comforting texture and a warm and soothing flavor, with a hint of tanginess from the fresh lemon juice.

19. Vegetarian lentil loaf

lentil loaf and how to store it

This vegetarian recipe is lovely for special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can prep most of it in a loaf pan and bake it shortly before serving it.

The lentil loaf slices beautifully; it has a rich, earthy flavor and a slightly chewy and almost meaty texture – perfect for meatless meals and family dinners.

20. Harira soup

Harira soup with a silver spoon in a white bowl with fresh parsley

Harira soup is a traditional Moroccan meal with lentils, chickpeas, and a rich and flavorful broth with warm spices, herbs, and tomatoes.

It’s a nourishing and fulfilling Mediterranean meal with over 20 grams of healthy, high-quality plant protein per small bowl

21. Cauliflower lentil salad

lentil and cauliflower salad

This cauliflower lentil salad is a light and refreshing way of eating lentils.

Roasted cauliflower makes the vegetable base, and we add canned lentils and drizzle with our creamy cumin dressing.

22. Stuffed butternut squash

stuffed butternut squash after baking with melted parmesan

This dish looks spectacular, and you can serve it at the center of the table because it is a protein-rich main dish.

You’ll love this recipe because it combines the sweet notes of the roasted butternut squash with the savory and meaty lentil filling.

Do lentils have protein?

Yes, lentils are an excellent source of protein.

They contain about 18-25% protein by weight, making them a valuable plantbased protein source.

Including lentils in your diet can help meet your protein needs and offer additional nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

In conclusion, lentils offer a rich and “meatyalternative to animalbased protein. They can help you cook various meatless meals and high-protein vegetarian dishes.

Black lentils bruschetta

More legume-packed recipes

If you’re looking to incorporate more fiber-rich legumes into your diet, take a peek at these vibrant plant-based recipes:

  • Cauliflower salad with chickpeas for a boost of plant-based energy to keep you full all day long
  • Mediterranean farro salad with roasted veggies, chickpeas, and pistachios
  • Chickpea pasta salad: a quick and easy lunch idea ready in 25 minutes!
  • Black bean salad: Inspired by Mexican flavors, this recipe is perfect for making ahead and eating for a quick and nutritious lunch or bringing potlucks and picnics.
  • Italian bean stew with authentic Italian flavor, pinto beans, and tomato sauce
Lentil recipes with salads, soups, and pasta

20+ Best Lentil Recipes: Lentil Curry

By: Nico Pallotta
5 from 15 votes
Lentil curry is one of our best lentil recipes as it’s easy to make, it can be frozen for those lazy weeknights, and it’s full of flavor, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian, International

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 inch ginger (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • â…“ teaspoon chili flakes
  • ½ teaspoon coriander (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 cup split red lentils or de-hulled red lentils
  • 1 small can (15 ounce) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 small can (13.5 ounce) coconut milk full fat or reduced fat

Serving suggestions

  • 4 wedges lemon
  • 1 handful cilantro or flat leaf parsley
  • 4 tablespoons unsweetened dairy-free yogurt optional
  • 2 cups basmati rice

Instructions 

  • To a pot add the oil and chopped onion. Gently fry the onion for 3 minutes, then add grated garlic and grated ginger and fry gently for another minute.
    adding ginger and garlic to the onion
  • Turn the heat to low, then add the spices: 2 teaspoons curry powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, ⅓ teaspoon chili flakes, ½ teaspoon coriander, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon garam masala, ½ teaspoon pepper.
    Toast the spices while stirring on low heat for a short minute.
    toasting the spices
  • Add vegetable stock, rinsed red lentils, crushed tomatoes, salt, stir and cook for about 20 minutes, or till the lentils are almost cooked.
    adding red lentils
  • Add the coconut milk, stir well, and finish cooking for another 10 to 15 minutes, till the curry is thicker and creamier, and the red lentils are fully cooked.
    adding coconut milk
  • Serve the lentil curry on basmati rice with a generous squeeze of lemon juice, freshly chopped cilantro (or flat-leaf parsley) and optionally a spoonful of unsweetened plant based yogurt.
    serving the red lentil curry with basmati rice

Video

Notes

To reduce the calories in this meal you can make the curry without oil, with reduced-fat coconut milk, serve it with less rice, or just eat a smaller portion.

Nutrition

Calories: 733kcal, Carbohydrates: 124g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Potassium: 945mg, Dietary Fiber: 18g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 619IU, Vitamin B6: 1mg, Vitamin C: 15mg, Vitamin E: 3mg, Vitamin K: 17µg, Calcium: 110mg, Folate: 245µg, Iron: 7mg, Manganese: 2mg, Magnesium: 111mg, Zinc: 4mg
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Nico and Louise in the kitchen

Hi! We are Nico & Louise

Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with easy, tasty, and wholesome recipes.

Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.

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6 Comments

  1. For some reason any Lentil recipe that’s not soup is not good. I’ve tried several stews ragouts lentils cooked with meat and veggies. A waste.
    I’ll just stick to my long time favorite. Lentil Soup made w choice of meat or vegetarian, greens of choice and broth .
    My experience has been I end up hungry.

    1. Hi Eileen,

      Yes indeed – here are some suggestions:

      1. Substitute low-fat coconut milk if you are on a low-fat diet.

      2. Substitute heavy cream or a non-dairy heavy cream for coconut milk.

      3. To make the curry without coconut milk, I recommend increasing the amount of vegetable broth and reducing the amount of spices, or else their flavor will be overpowering.

      I hope this helps! Kindest,

      Louise