What Is Lentils, green and How Can I Use It?
Green lentils rewards a little know-how: how to choose it, cook it, store it, and substitute in a pinch. Browse 45 recipes to cook with it.
What are green lentils?
Ah, green lentils – those hearty little powerhouses that can turn a simple soup into a soul-warming feast or jazz up a salad with their nutty bite! If you're diving into the world of legumes for "easy healthy dinner recipes for beginners" or "quick vegan meal prep tips for families," these versatile gems are your new best friend.
They're not just any lentil; think of them as the sturdy, flavor-packed cousin to the quicker-cooking red ones, holding their shape like champs in everything from stews to veggie burgers.
Green lentils, scientifically known as Lens culinaris, hail from the same family as brown and Puy lentils (those fancy French ones).
They're harvested when mature but still green, giving them an earthy, peppery taste that's milder than black lentils but bolder than yellow. Nutritionally, they're a jackpot: packed with plant-based protein (about 18g per cooked cup), fiber for gut health, iron, folate, and antioxidants – perfect for "healthy slow cooker soups for winter" or "low-carb keto breakfast ideas with eggs and veggies" if you swap in some greens.
What sets them apart?
Unlike split lentils that mush up fast, greens keep their firm texture after cooking, making them ideal for dishes where you want some chew – like a Mediterranean lentil salad or a hearty curry. They're widely available dried or canned, sustainable to grow (low water use!), and super affordable, fitting right into "simple air fryer recipes for weight loss" with a quick roast for crunch.
Pro Tips from the Kitchen
- Cooking basics: Rinse 'em well, then simmer 1 cup lentils in 3 cups water for 20-30 minutes until tender but not soggy. No soaking needed, but it cuts time if you're in a rush.
- Flavor boosters: Toss with garlic, herbs, or a splash of vinegar post-cook for that zing – great for "beginner-friendly vegan banana bread with chocolate chips"? Wait, no, but sub them in savory bakes!
- Swaps and storage: If out of greens, brown lentils work similarly; store dried in a cool pantry for up to a year. Freeze cooked batches for easy meal prep.
Discover what green lentils are – nutritious, versatile legumes perfect for easy healthy dinner recipes for beginners, quick vegan meal prep tips for families, and healthy slow cooker soups for winter with their earthy flavor and firm texture!
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup (192g)Where found
Green lentils are usually found in the rice & beans section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group
Lentils, green are a member of the Legumes and Legume Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
How much do green lentils weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | 192 grams |
| 1 tbsp | 12 grams |
Related
Legumes and Legume Products
| In Chinese: | 扁豆，绿色 | |
| British (UK) term: | ||
| en français: | les lentilles, vert | |
| en español: | lentejas, verde |
Recipes using green lentils
There are 45 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Lentils & Rice (Mujadara)
This is a "three-ingredient" anti-inflammatory Lebanese-inspired side dish (or vegetarian main) made with brown rice, lentils, and caramelized onions. Instant pot ready directions included.
Beets, Chorizo & Pomegranate Braise with Cilantro Salsa
This delicious and well-balanced one pot meal will for sure satisfy everyone around the dinner table with all the yumminess and goodness.
Green Lentil Dhal with Tomatoes & Cinnamon
Aromatic dhal with soaked green lentils, fresh tomatoes, and cinnamon sticks simmered in spiced ghee for a warming vegetarian curry that pairs perfectly with naan.
Curry Lentils & Kale
This hearty and healthy Indian style dish is quick-easy to make, and it's tasty.
Couscous, Lentil & Arugula Salad with Garlic Dijon Vinaigrette
Packed with deliciousness and goodness. A great side dish to go with any main courses, or it can be served as a vegetarian main dish as well.
Indian Spiced Eggplant Lentil Salad with Fresh Mango
The eggplant was seasoned with curry and chili powder, after roasting in the oven, it was full of flavor. I had lots of tomatoes, so I made a fresh salsa, also added some homemade chili sauce. The result was outstanding! Slightly spicy, mango added some fresh sweetness. Definitely a keeper!
Sweet Potato, Lentil & Green Bean Packets
Sweet potato, lentil and green beans are cooked IN a curry, garlic and ginger flavoured vegetable broth in foil packets, so flavourful. Enjoy these small and tasty packets.
Cashews, Lentils & Brown Rice Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
The combination of cashews, lentils, brown rice and other spices was delicious. Right balance of the flavor and the texture, we used cherry tomatoes instead, that's what we had on hand. It's a tasty yet nutritious meal.
Rice & Lentil Salad
Wild rice and lentil salad with brown rice, tri-color bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs in a fat-free tomato-herb vinaigrette. A colorful, high-fiber grain salad.
Summer Pasta & Lentil Salad
Hearty summer pasta and lentil salad with green lentils, pasta shells, crunchy veggies, cherry tomatoes, and a garlicky Dijon vinaigrette. Topped with pine nuts for a protein-packed potluck favorite.
Cabbage Curry
Spiced cabbage curry with mustard seeds, cumin, and turmeric cooked until tender and golden. This South Indian vegetarian dish is aromatic, healthy, and ready in 40 minutes.
Taco Lentils
Taco lentils simmer green lentils until tender, then bake them in a smoky pureed ancho chile and tomato sauce spiced with cumin and chili. A high-protein, high-fiber vegan stand-in for taco meat.
Lentil & Sweet Pepper Salad
Colorful lentil salad with charred red, yellow, and orange bell peppers, dried apricots, and cumin-coriander dressing. Broiled peppers add smoky depth to tender green lentils.
Smoky Sausage Lentil Soup
Thick, hearty lentil soup with chunks of smoked sausage, potatoes, carrots and a surprising strip of orange zest that brightens the whole pot. A filling main-course bowl ready in about 80 minutes.
Chicken & Apple Casserole
Chicken and apple casserole with green lentils, root vegetables, and apple juice braised in one pot. A hearty fall dinner where the lentils cook right in the broth alongside browned chicken quarters.
Spicy Lentil & Tomato Soup
Spicy lentil and tomato soup with garam masala, turmeric, coriander, and chili powder. A vegan, high-protein Indian-spiced soup that simmers into a thick, warming bowl in under an hour.
Vegeburgers
Green lentil veggie burgers with grated carrots, breadcrumbs, garlic, and parsley, bound with egg and grilled. Served with a quick homemade tomato sauce over brown rice.
Baked Lentil & Vegetable Stew
Hearty oven-baked lentil stew loaded with Brussels sprouts, rutabaga, carrots, and fresh ginger. A cozy, plant-based one-dish meal with serious comfort-food warmth.
Spiced Chickpea & Pasta Stew
This delicious Indian stew is made with chickpeas, lentils, pastas and the herb mixture, it's tasty, flavorful and filling. A bowl of stew has almost all the nutritions and flavors you need.
Olive Oil Lentil Vegetable Soup
Olive oil lentil vegetable soup with green lentils, potato, carrot, celery, and tomato simmered into a rustic, high-fiber vegan bowl with shallots and fresh parsley.
