Kitchen notes · a little help before you start

Instant Pot Lentils (in 9 minutes or less!)

Name: Instant Pot Lentils (in 9 minutes or less!)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 24 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 cup green, black, or brown lentils ((see notes for red lentils)) (Source: 1 cup green, black, or brown lentils ((see notes for red lentils))); 1.5 cups water (Source: 1.5 cups water); 0.5 teaspoon salt ((optional)) (Source: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt ((optional)); upper source range endpoint used for shopping.)

Instant Pot Lentils (in 9 minutes or less!) is made with green.

Prep: 5 min
Cook: 9 min
Total: 24 min
Original yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 3 listed

Make it part of your week

Estimating…

SidesBeans & lentilsPrep: 15 minutes or lessTotal: 30 minutes or less

Recipe categories & planning details

Meal type: Sides
Primary protein: Beans & lentils
Preparation & total time: Prep: 15 minutes or less · Total: 30 minutes or less

A few quick notes

1. Follow the pressure release

Complete the pressure-release sequence before opening the cooker.

Get to know the ingredients

green, black, or brown lentils (see notes for red lentils)

In the method: Combine the lentils and water in the bottom of the Instant Pot.

salt (optional)

In the method: You can add up to 1/2 teaspoon of salt if you want them seasoned, but keep in mind that they may turn out a little more firm that way.

Let’s make it

Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.

Servings

Original recipe: Serves 4. Original quantities shown.

Estimating…

Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.

1 cup green, black, or brown lentils (see notes for red lentils)
Ingredient note
Source: 1 cup green, black, or brown lentils (see notes for red lentils)
1.5 cups water
Ingredient note
Source: 1.5 cups water
0.5 teaspoon salt (optional)
Ingredient note
Source: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional); upper source range endpoint used for shopping.

How to make it

0 of 5 steps complete

Combine the lentils and water in the bottom of the Instant Pot. You can add up to 1/2 teaspoon of salt if you want them seasoned, but keep in mind that they may turn out a little more firm that way. Don't season with salt until the end of the cooking cycle if you want to guarantee soft lentils.
Secure the lid and move the steam release valve to Sealing. Press the Manual or Pressure Cook button to cook at high pressure for 9 minutes. (They will still have a little bite to them this way; cook for 10 minutes for softer lentils.) It will take 10 minutes for the pot to come to pressure before the cooking cycle begins, so the screen will just read "On" until then.
When the cooking cycle completes, immediately move the steam release valve to Venting to release the pressure right away. Make sure your hand isn't over the steam release valve, to avoid the hot steam touching your skin. When the floating valve in the lid drops, the pressure is released and it's safe to open the lid. (If you forget to release the pressure right away, it will still be okay-- your lentils will just be softer when you remember to go check on them.)
Stir the lentils and make sure they are tender to your liking. You can always add an extra 1/2 cup of water and pressure cook them again for 2-3 minutes, if you want them softer, but they should be done at this point. There shouldn't be too much liquid left in the pot, so you can use them right away without draining them.
Use a slotted spoon to scoop them out, then serve warm. For serving ideas, be sure to check out the post above! You can store cooked lentils in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Make room for Instant Pot Lentils (in 9 minutes or less!)

Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.

The last little job

Finish as directed

You can store cooked lentils in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

A few questions you might have

What should I prepare first?

Set out the instant pot and pot. Start with this step: Combine the lentils and water in the bottom of the Instant Pot.

Which preparation step should I plan for?

Complete the pressure-release sequence before opening the cooker.

What happens at the end?

You can store cooked lentils in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

How do I plan the ingredient amounts?

This version serves 4. Use the ingredient amounts listed for that yield. If you change the number of portions, check equipment and the full method as well as the shopping quantities.

Additional recipe notes

Red lentils cook in just 5 minutes at high pressure with a quick release. Keep in mind that red lentils will have a mushy texture no matter what, so you can cook them longer if making a soup or curry with them. They will completely dissolve into a soup and will act as a thickener if you cook them for 10 minutes at high pressure, like in my Curry Chicken Soup recipe.

Storage & reheating safety

For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.

These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures

Recipe source: detoxinista.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.

Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.

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