156 red lentil recipes

Whole grain salad with brown rice, wheat berries, red and green bell peppers, and purple onion in a creamy mayo-yogurt dressing. A fiber-rich, colorful cold side dish.

Masoor dahl soup with red lentils, turmeric, garlic, and whole peppercorns finished with lemon juice. A simple Indian lentil soup that's vegan, high-fiber, and ready in under an hour.

This is the basic recipe for cooking lentils or beans. Many southern and southwestern regional recipes call for cooked lentils or beans to be stirred gently into a dish near the end of cooking. Therefore, it may be a good idea ot make them a day ahead and have them ready when you begin the actual cooking.

Lentil and wheat berry salad tossed with fresh vegetables and herbs in a fat-free red wine vinegar dressing. High-fiber, vegan, and endlessly customizable with whatever produce you have on hand.

Tangy orange zest and red lentils brighten tomato soup with unexpected citrus sparkle, finished with fresh mint for a vegetarian bowl that feels like Mediterranean sunshine.

Whole onions stuffed with red lentils, dates, walnuts, raisins, and yogurt in this Bedouin-inspired vegetarian dish. Baked until golden and served with saffron rice or bulgur.

Red lentils cook tender in aromatic broth with sautéed carrots and onions, then finish with a swirl of cream for a protein-rich vegetarian meal under 40 minutes.

Cajun-style gumbo built on a dark red-brown roux with smoked sausage, lentils, carrots, celery, and a kick of cayenne. Thick, smoky, and protein-packed in 75 minutes.

Creamy Egyptian red lentil soup flavored with cumin, garlic, and caramelized onions. This velvety, protein-rich bowl gets finished with olive oil and lemon for a satisfying vegetarian meal.

Lentil and Spanish rice enchiladas wrapped in corn tortillas, smothered in red enchilada sauce, and baked under melty cheese. A budget-friendly vegetarian main that uses pantry staples and pulls together with one pot and one pan.

South Indian sambhar made with toor dal, tamarind, coconut, and a ground spice paste of channa dal, dhania seeds, and dried red chiles. A tangy, protein-rich lentil stew for rice or dosa.

Note: 15 bean mixtures are available packaged in supermarkets and health food stores. If you prefer, make your own by combining equal amounts of dried blackeyed peas, red kidney beans, white kidney beans (cannellini), green lentils, split peas, black beans, yellow split peas, navy beans, cranberry (Roman, shell, or shell out) beans, great Northern beans, pinto beans, small white limas, red lentils, cow peas (field peas), and pink beans. Avoid using beans such as garbanzos and large lima beans, as these take longer to cook than other varities.