Can lentils be soaked and frozen for faster weekday cooking?

Question

Can your lentils be soaked and then frozen for faster weekday cooking? Discover this time-saving hack and the best way to do it.

Answer 1

Yes, lentils can be soaked and frozen. Soaking them beforehand reduces cooking time, and freezing them after soaking preserves them for later use.

Detailed Explanation:

Soaking lentils before cooking helps to break down complex sugars, making them easier to digest and reducing cooking time. To soak and freeze lentils effectively, follow these steps:

1. Rinse the lentils: Place the lentils in a colander and rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove any debris or impurities.

2. Soak the lentils: Transfer the rinsed lentils to a large bowl and cover them with plenty of cold water. Generally, soak for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight in the refrigerator. The longer they soak, the shorter the cooking time will be.

3. Drain and rinse again: After soaking, drain the lentils and rinse them again under cold water.

4. Portion the lentils: Divide the soaked lentils into freezer-safe bags or containers in the portions you typically use for cooking. This makes it easy to grab the right amount when you need them.

5. Freeze the lentils: Remove as much air as possible from the bags or containers to prevent freezer burn. Label each bag or container with the date and contents, and then freeze them. Soaked lentils can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

6. Cooking from frozen: When you're ready to cook the lentils, you can add them directly to your recipe from frozen. There's no need to thaw them first. They may require a slightly longer cooking time than freshly soaked lentils, but it will still be significantly shorter than cooking unsoaked lentils.

Pro Tip:

Don't add salt to the lentils before freezing. Salt can toughen the skins of the lentils during the freezing process. Add salt when you are cooking them.