Simple French Green Lentils Recipe
Posted: 04/04/24
Updated: 11/10/24
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This recipe for French green lentils is so easy and so versatile, and it only calls for 5 ingredients! There’s zero presoak needed, so they come together quickly – perfect for any weeknight or holiday.
What We Love About This Recipe
- French green lentils, or “lentils du Puy”, are a smaller, darker type of your typical green lentils, and every bit as delicious.
- This incredibly easy recipe uses only garlic, salt, and the optional bay leaves to flavor the lentils.
- Lentils are small and cook quickly, meaning there is no need to soak them before cooking. They’re a staple in my pantry rotation for that reason alone!
Chef’s Tips
- Keep a close eye on the lentils. Because they’re small, they can overcook (and easily), so it’s wise to check on them frequently at and after the 15-minute mark.
- This recipe isn’t just for French green lentils! It’ll work for any color lentils, but you’ll need to adjust the cook time depending on which type you use. Green lentils typically need 18-20 minutes, while brown lentils can take 20-25 and black lentils can take 25-30.
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Simple French Green Lentils Recipe
An easy, 3-ingredient recipe for classic French lentils that can be incorporated into bowls, salads, soups, and sides for any protein.
servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup French green lentils
- 4 cups water or vegetable broth
- 2 cloves garlic smashed
- 2 large bay leaves optional
- ½ teaspoon salt more or less to taste
Equipment
- fine mesh strainer
- medium, heavy-bottomed pot with lid
- large wooden spoon
Instructions
- Add 1 cup French green lentils to fine mesh strainer and wash lentils well under running water, making sure to remove any small stones and any lentils that have gone bad.
- Transfer washed lentils to medium pot. Add 4 cups water, 2 cloves garlic, and 2 large bay leaves (if using) to pot and stir to incorporate.
- Place pot on stovetop over high heat. Heat pot over high heat until water begins to boil rapidly.
- Once water begins to boil, immediately reduce heat under pot to low. Cover pot with lid and simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 to 30 minutes or until lentils are tender.
- When lentils are tender, remove pot from heat and carefully drain water completely.
- Remove smashed garlic and bay leaves from pot. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt over lentils and stir gently to incorporate, then serve lentils as desired.
Notes
- Lentils: This recipe will work for any color lentils, but you’ll need to adjust the cook time depending on which type you use. Green lentils typically need 18-20 minutes, while brown lentils can take 20-25 and black lentils can take 25-30.
- Cook Time: Lentils can overcook easily, so watch them closely, especially near and after the 15-minute mark.
- Leftovers: Refrigerate leftover lentils in an airtight container up to 5 days. Freeze leftover lentils in an airtight container up to 4 months.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 115kcal | Protein: 8g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Total Carbs: 20g | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 1g | Net Carbs: 10g | Vitamin C: 2mg | Sodium: 204mg | Potassium: 310mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 2mg
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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