The best lentil recipes

Shrimp skewers with lentils and greens

Lentils get a double boost of flavor: they're infused with fresh garlic during cooking, then tossed with fresh herbs and aromatic cumin.

Recipe: Shrimp skewers with lentils and greens

Lentil soup with pasta

Lentils are a wonderful addition to vegetable pasta soup, making it especially filling and delicious.

Recipe: Lentil soup with pasta

Stuffed peppers with lentils

This dish, with its fresh Mediterranean flavors, is rich in plant-based protein and fiber thanks to its lentil filling. Delicious and filling!

Recipe: Stuffed peppers with lentils

Vegan Lentil Burgers

Make these burgers with lean vegan lentil patties. They're delicious, yet packed with protein and fiber.

Recipe: Vegan Lentil Burgers

Lentil meatballs with mushrooms

Enjoy protein-rich meatballs without the meat! Lentils are combined with onion, garlic, tomato paste, soy sauce, and nutritional yeast, creating a meaty flavor.

Recipe: Lentil meatballs with mushrooms

French Green Lentil Salad

Why French lentils? They hold their shape better than other lentils, making them an ideal choice if you're planning on making a salad.

Recipe: French Green Lentil Salad

The best lentil soup

The base of this soup is brown lentils. To enhance the flavor, we used mirepoix—a classic blend of onion, celery, and carrot—as well as thyme, bay leaf, and oregano. Fresh lemon juice and parsley, added at the end, liven up the dish and add a lovely color.

Recipe: The best lentil soup

Salmon with lentils

Are you used to serving salmon with the same side dish? Try something different: Ina's delicious lentils. This side dish, infused with garlic, herbs, and chicken broth, will be an unforgettable complement to the fish.

Recipe: Salmon with lentils

Red lentils "Masurdal" for every day

This dish received top marks, with one reader saying in their review that "it's enough to turn almost anyone vegan/vegetarian." Tip: Add salt only at the very end of cooking. This will ensure the best flavor and texture.

Recipe: Red lentils "Masurdal" for every day

Lentils with spinach and garlic

Use orange lentils—they cook faster and look prettier.

Recipe: Lentils with spinach and garlic

Lentil brownies

Protein-rich brownies that will satisfy your sweet tooth? What more could you want?

Recipe: Lentil brownies

Spiced lentil soup

Add some heat with serrano chili pepper, fresh ginger, and garlic. For a slightly milder flavor, top a serving of this savory soup with a dollop of creamy Greek yogurt.

Recipe: Spiced lentil soup

Lentil and Quinoa Salad

This hearty and nutritious salad combines lentils and quinoa. Best of all, it only requires a few basic ingredients for rich flavor.

Recipe: Lentil and Quinoa Salad

Indian-style prawns with lentils

Lentils are the perfect accompaniment to Indian-style shrimp. During cooking, they soak up the wonderful ingredients of the aromatic tomato sauce (garlic, ginger, and garam masala spices), creating a signature flavor.

Recipe: Indian-style prawns with lentils

Lentil soup with smoked meats

Aina recommends using French green lentils for this hearty soup. It's all about the texture: the cooked lentils are tender but not mushy—that's exactly what you want in every spoonful!

Recipe: Lentil soup with smoked meats

Crispy cod with lentils

This recipe proves that lentils can enrich a dish even without being the main ingredient. Here, they're paired with aromatic vegetables and a touch of spice, creating a zesty salad topping that complements the fish.

Recipe: Crispy cod with lentils

Swiss chard cabbage rolls with goat cheese, lentils and brown rice

Giada uses hearty lentils in these stuffed Swiss chard rolls with marinara sauce. She combines green lentils with brown rice, goat cheese, herbs, and spices for a delicious filling that's both filling and delicious.

Recipe: Swiss chard cabbage rolls with goat cheese, lentils and brown rice

Slow Cooker Mediterranean Lentil Soup

Jeff makes Mediterranean-style lentils—and it's super easy. Just place all the ingredients in a slow cooker until tender (and let the aromas fill your kitchen). It's that simple!

Recipe: Slow Cooker Mediterranean Lentil Soup

Sloppy Joe Lentil Sandwich

This is a healthier version of burgers. Instead of just ground beef, try using a meat and lentil mix for the patty. You'll get more filling fiber without sacrificing flavor.

Recipe: Sloppy Joe Lentil Sandwich

Thick lentil soup with coconut milk and sweet potato

This dish has a rich texture thanks to the red lentils, which break down slightly during cooking. Geoffrey seasons it with Madras curry powder (it's slightly spicier than other curry blends), but you can use whatever you have on hand.

Recipe: Thick lentil soup with coconut milk and sweet potato

Lentil and orzo pasta salad with roasted cauliflower, chard, and greens

This salad is sure to become one of your favorite healthy lentil dishes. It offers a vibrant bouquet of color and flavor, while providing energy and a feeling of fullness thanks to the protein and fiber found in legumes.

Recipe: Lentil and orzo pasta salad with roasted cauliflower, chard, and greens