How to Cook Red Split Lentils

Co-authored by Jennifer Levasseur

Last Updated: August 15, 2023 Approved

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Red split lentils are fast cooking lentils that cook down into a creamy, hearty stew. Dried red lentils are actually orange in color, and are sometimes also labeled as Egyptian lentils. Read on to learn how to cook everyday red split lentils, red lentil curry, or dal, a traditional red lentil soup.

Ingredients

Everyday Red Lentils

1 cup split red lentils
2 1/2 cups water
Salt and pepper to taste

Red Lentil Curry

3 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon curry powder
4 carrots, chopped
1 large russet potato, peeled and chopped
1 cup red lentils
4 cups vegetable broth
Salt and pepper to taste

Red Lentil Dal

1 cup red lentils
3 cups water
3 plum tomatoes
2 teaspoons canola oil
1/2 cup white or yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons of Bengali five spice mix (panch phoron)
1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon salt

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making Everyday Red Lentils

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Place the split red lentils into a sieve or fine-holed colander. Split red lentils are notorious for having debris in them, so be sure to clean well. Rinse under running water and pick out any obvious large pieces of debris.
Add the water to the pan.

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Turn down when it reaches boiling point and simmer. Be sure to stir now and then to prevent sticking to the saucepan.
The red split lentils will be cooked in about 25 minutes. You'll know they're done by observation - they turn into a mush or thick puree.
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Use them in a dish that calls for lentils. Cooked split red lentils tend to be added to other dishes but can be eaten alone if you like them. Try them with the following ideas:
- Use them to thicken soups and casseroles.
- Add them to vegetable or meat curries.
- Turn them into kofte.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making Red Lentil Curry

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Place them in a sieve and rinse thoroughly.
Place it over medium heat and let the oil completely heat up.^{[1]
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Cook them for about two minutes, until they are soft.
Continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
Stir the curry occasionally.
It's finished when the lentils and vegetables are tender.
It's delicious with lime wedges, naan, and rice.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Red Lentil Dal

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Place them in a sieve and run water through for a minute or two.^{[2]
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Place them in a saucepan with 3 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook the lentils until they're tender, about 12 minutes.
Score their tops with an "x." Bring a separate pot of water to a boil, and drop the tomatoes into the boiling water for 30 seconds, then remove them. When they've cooled a bit, insert your fingers under the skin at the "x" and peel it off in strips.
Heat it over medium until the oil gets thoroughly hot.
Sauté them for about 5 minutes, until they are translucent.
Keep cooking for another minute.
Pour them directly into the saucepan, water and all. Cook for another 10 minutes.
Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings.

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Expert Q&A

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Question

Are there other seasonings you recommend for red lentils?

Jennifer Levasseur
Personal Chef
Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College.

Jennifer Levasseur

Personal Chef

Expert Answer

I recommend cooking them in a base like mirepoix (onion, carrot, and celery) and some chicken stock. This will create layered flavors and heartiness in red lentils.

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Question

What are the best seasonings for lentils?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Lentils can be flavored with many seasonings, so it’s worth trying your favorite ones first, to see how they work. For some ideas to guide you, you could try one or more of the following seasonings with lentils: Tomato purée, chili powder, thyme, rosemary, nutmeg, garlic (fresh, granules or powdered), ginger (fresh or ground), cumin, oregano, curry powder, turmeric, bay leaf, ordinary or flavored salt, pepper, cream, yogurt, etc. You might also like to try cooking them in broth, stock or tomato purée instead of water.

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Question

Do I need to soak lentils before cooking them?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Lentils do not need soaking before cooking. However, they usually need to be rinsed to ensure they’re clean and free of small stones or other debris, depending on where you’ve sourced them from.

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