SHARE

Easy Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker Lentils: A Nutrient-Packed Powerhouse

By now you probably have realized we’re major fans of lentils over here at Meaning Full Living! Lentils are a powerhouse food for all age groups. Cooked lentils are packed with plant based protein and iron topping the charts with 18 grams of protein per cup and plenty of iron at 6.6 mg per cup! They’re also filled with lots of other nutrients such as folate, fiber (about 15g per cup), potassium, thiamine, and polyphenols that are beneficial to our health. These nutrients are essential for everyone, no matter your age, but are especially essential for growing babies and kids as well as for women pregnant, postpartum, or trying to conceive.

Easy Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker Lentils: A Nutrient-Packed Powerhouse

Written by: Jessica Diamond, MPH, RDN

By now you probably have realized we’re major fans of lentils over here at Meaning Full Living! Lentils are a powerhouse food for all age groups. Cooked lentils are packed with plant-based protein and iron, topping the charts with 18 grams of protein per cup and plenty of iron at 6.6 mg per cup! They’re also filled with lots of other nutrients such as folate, fiber (about 15g per cup), potassium, thiamine, and polyphenols that are beneficial to our health. These nutrients are essential for everyone, no matter your age, but are especially vital for growing babies and kids, as well as for women who are pregnant, postpartum, or trying to conceive.

Why You’ll Love Cooking Lentils in an Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker

1. Quick and Convenient: Cooking lentils in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker drastically reduces the cooking time, making it a quick and convenient option for busy weeknights.

2. Consistent Results: Using a pressure cooker ensures that lentils are cooked evenly and consistently, resulting in perfectly tender lentils every time.

Serving Suggestions

  • Snacks: Use lentils as a base for our all time favorite Banana Lentil Muffins.
  • Salads: Add cooked lentils to salads for a protein-packed addition.
  • Soups: Use lentils as a base for hearty soups.
  • Side Dish: Serve lentils as a side dish with your favorite proteins and vegetables.
  • Bowl Meals: Create a nourishing bowl meal with lentils, roasted vegetables, and a tasty sauce. They work as a great addition to our Easy Sweet Potato Bowls.

Instant Pot Lentils

Recipe by: Jessica Diamond, MPH, RDN
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Print It Pin It

Ingredients

  • 1 cup lentils black, green, or brown
  • 1 1/2 cup water or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • black pepper to taste

Notes

Store cooked lentils in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days, or freeze for 4-6 months.
For babies on solids, omit the salt.
Use these to make our legendary Crispy Lentil Cauliflower Tacos. We cook the lentils on the firmer side for about 6-7 minutes when making the tacos since the lentil will be reheated when making the tacos.

Instructions

  • Add the lentils and water or broth and seasoning to the inner pot of the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.
  • Secure the lid and select the Pressure Cook setting. Set the timer to 6 to 8 minutes for firmer lentils, or 10 minutes for softer lentils. 
  • When the timer beeps, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes. Then manually release the pressure release to vent any remaining steam. Open the pot and serve! 

You may also like

Lentils: The Superfood You Didn’t Know You Needed Everything You Need to Know About Snacks and Kids: When to Offer Them, What’s the Difference Between a Meal and a Snack, and Good Snack Ideas Banana Lentil Muffins: The Protein-Packed Breakfast You Didn’t Know You Needed