What lentils cook the fastest for time-saving weekday meals? Discover which varieties are perfect for a quick and nutritious dinner.
1 Answer
Red lentils cook the fastest, often in just 15-20 minutes, making them ideal for quick weekday meals.
Detailed Explanation:
Red lentils, also known as masoor dal, are split and have their husks removed, which significantly reduces their cooking time. Unlike other lentil varieties that require soaking or longer simmering, red lentils break down and become creamy as they cook, making them perfect for thickening soups, stews, and purees. To cook red lentils, simply rinse them, add them to a pot with water or broth (about 2 cups of liquid per cup of lentils), bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender. No pre-soaking is necessary! Other lentils like yellow lentils (moong dal) also cook relatively quickly, but red lentils generally take the lead in terms of speed. Brown, green, and black lentils require longer cooking times, often 30-45 minutes or more.
Pro Tip:
Add a pinch of salt towards the end of the cooking process. Adding salt at the beginning can toughen the lentils and prolong the cooking time.