Simple French Green Lentils Recipe

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An easy, 3-ingredient recipe for classic French lentils that can be incorporated into bowls, salads, soups, and sides for any protein.

Prep: 10

Cook: 20

Total: 30

Recipe makes approximately 6 servings

Get Recipe Ingredients

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.

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.