Easy

This recipe for French green lentils is so easy – basically just set it and forget it! Just three ingredients and NO soaking, and you have tender, deliciously seasoned lentils that are a great side or perfect for adding to other recipes.

French green lentils, or “lentils du Puy,” are a smaller, darker type of your typical green lentils, and just as delicious. This incredibly easy recipe uses only garlic to flavor them, yet is rich and perfectly seasoned. There’s no need to add anything else!

Lentils are small and cook quickly, meaning there is no need to soak them before cooking, like with other legumes. They are the perfect addition to your list of pantry staples.

What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

French green lentils – You can use other types of lentils, but they have different cooking times (check out the times down below).
Water
Garlic cloves

How To Make French Green Lentils

1. Wash the lentils in a mesh strainer. Make sure to take out any small stones or any lentils that look like they might have gone bad.
2. After washing, add the lentils with some water and the garlic to a medium pot. Bring everything to a boil. Reduce the heat so that everything simmers gently and cover with a lid. Cook for about 20-30 minutes, or until the lentils are nice and tender. After they’ve cooked, drained the lentils and remove the garlic.

Top Tips For Making

• The lentils can overcook, so keep an eye on them, especially after the first 15 minutes.
• You can store cooked lentils for 4-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also freeze them for up to 4 months.
• If you’d like, you can also add a couple bay leaves to the pot while cooking.

Cook Times For Different Lentils

• Black lentils: 25-30 minutes
• Brown lentils: 20-25 minutes
• Green lentils: 18-20 minutes

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Our recipes focus on real ingredients and homemade elements. We try to avoid processed flour and sugar, like white flour or white sugar. Our recipes often swap less healthy options (like a commercial, deep-friend tostada) for an easy homemade version.

Our recipes are not necessarily low fat or low calorie, and we aren’t afraid of fat or carbs! Some of our recipes will be “skinny,” low carb, keto, paleo, dairy free, grain free, gluten free, Whole30, or vegan, and they will be labeled when they qualify for any of these diets. All our recipes are easy and family friendly!

More Easy, Healthy Recipes

• Air Fryer Chicken Legs
• Easy Tuna Salad
• Homemade Pickles
• Instant Pot Broccoli
• Instant Pot Chickpeas (No Soak!)

We hope you loved this recipe as much as we did! We’d love for you to give us a star ★ rating below, and follow us on Instagram! For more delicious, healthy recipes, be sure to check out 40 Aprons.

Print Recipe

French Green Lentils

Prep Time3 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: 3 ingredients, pantry staples, vegetables

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 161kcal

Cost: $0.50

Ingredients

• 1 cup French green lentils
• 4 cups water
• 2 cloves garlic smash

Instructions

• Wash the lentils in mesh strainer. Remove any small stones or lentils that have gone bad.
• Add water, garlic, and lentils to medium pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and gently simmer. Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes, or until lentils are tender. When done cooking, drain lentils and remove garlic.

Notes

• Note: Keep an eye on lentils as they can overcook.
• Storage: Store cooked lentils for 4-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge or freeze for up to 4 months.
• Seasoning option: Add a couple bay leaves to pot when cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 430mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 3mg