Why boil lentils? Well, unless you’re using canned lentils, they are typically sold in dried form and are great to have on hand as a source of vegan protein. They are also a staple ingredient in dishes like curries, soups and stews. In order to use lentils, you need to boil them first to take them from rock-hard and undigestible to soft and easy to eat. This handy guide will tell you everything you need to know about how long to boil lentils.
- How to Boil Lentils
- Six Types of Lentils to Boil
- How Long to Boil Whole Lentils
- Green Lentils
- Yellow Lentils
- Red Lentils
- Brown Lentils
- French (Puy) Lentils
- Black (Beluga) Lentils
- Table: How Long to Boil Whole Lentils
- How Long to Boil Split Lentils
- Split Green Lentils
- Split Red Lentils
- Split Yellow Lentils
- Split Brown Lentils
- Table: How Long to Boil Split Lentils
How to Boil Lentils
Before learning the boiling times for various types of lentils, it’s important to review the process of how to actually boil the lentils themselves. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the basic process of boiling lentils:
- Put the lentils into a large pot or saucepan and fill with water.
- Place the pot over medium to high heat and bring to a boil.
- Once the water boils, cover the pot and reduce the heat to simmer. Allow lentils to boil for the recommended time–see below for details.
- Test a lentil to make sure they’re cooked to the desired consistency.
- Drain any excess liquid from the lentils and use in your desired dish.
Six Types of Lentils to Boil
There are different types of lentils, and each may require a different boiling time to become soft and digestible. Here are a few types of lentils you might want to boil:
- Green
- Yellow
- Red
- Brown
- French (also known as De Puy lentils)
- Black (also known as beluga lentils)
Many of these types of lentils come in either whole lentil form or in split form. Both forms are covered in this guide on how long to boil lentils.
How Long to Boil Whole Lentils
Green Lentils
Boil for 18-20 minutes in water (or bone broth for added flavor).
Yellow Lentils
Boil for 15-20 minutes.
Red Lentils
Boil for 8-10 minutes.
Brown Lentils
Boil for 20-25 minutes.
French (Puy) Lentils
Boil for 25-30 minutes.
Black (Beluga) Lentils
Boil for 25-30 minutes.
Table: How Long to Boil Whole Lentils
| Type of Whole Lentils | How Long to Boil (in minutes) |
| Green | 18-20 |
| Yellow | 15-20 |
| Red | 8-10 |
| Brown | 20-25 |
| French (Puy) | 25-30 |
| Black (Beluga) | 25-30 |
How Long to Boil Split Lentils
Split Green Lentils
Boil for 15-20 minutes.
Split Red Lentils
Boil for 5-7 minutes.
Split Yellow Lentils
Boil for 25 minutes.
Split Brown Lentils
Boil for 15-20 minutes.
Table: How Long to Boil Split Lentils
| Type of Split Lentils | How Long to Boil (in minutes) |
| Green | 15-20 |
| Red | 5-7 |
| Yellow | 25 |
| Brown | 15-20 |
