Lentils have been such a handy addition to our pantry. They are so inexpensive, you can flavour them however you’d like, and they tend to cook quicker than rice or some other grains. This easy green lentils recipe can be quickly served up as a side dish on your next holiday table or; make a batch for an easy side on a weeknight.
Ready in 20 minutes
Simply Boil, Simmer, and Drain
Add spices like bay leaf and star anise for extra flavour
Dried, they are easy to store; cooked, easy to freeze!
And… they’re so thrifty!
Cooking Green Lentils
You can make this recipe with any type of lentils. The cooking time will certainly vary but consult your package to get an idea for how long they will take.
For this green lentils recipe I:
- Combine 1 ½ cup dry green lentils. With…
- 6 cups of water,
- A pinch of salt,
- One bay leaf,
- And one star anise pod.
You can absolutely replace the bay leaf and star anise with spices that will compliment your main dish. I love tossing dried spices into grains or pulses as they cook. The flavour is usually quite subtle but it does infuse them with a little something extra.
Storing And Freezing Green Lentils
Lentils are a fantastic addition to your pantry because they are so inexpensive and versatile. You can mash them into burger patties, bulk up a Vegan Ragu, add them to curries and soups, or serve them as a side!
Once cooked, they keep well in the fridge for 5-7 days OR freeze them in a freezer safe bag and simply add microwave to reheat OR add them directly to another recipe; like a soup or pasta sauce.
Recipe Cost
I told you lentils are inexpensive. This recipes makes us 4 cups of cooked lentils and costs approximately:
CAD $0.75!
We love to serve these alongside our Beautiful Hasselback Butternut Squash Tray Bake!
Let us know in the comments below what your favourite lentil recipes are! For another festive side dish take a look at our Maple Roasted Acorn Squash!
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Festive Green Lentils Recipe – An Easy Side
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Ready in 20 minutes, this festive green lentils recipe makes a great thrifty side dish! Add extra flavour with star anise & bay leaf.
Ingredients
- 6 cups cold, fresh water
- 1 ½ cup dried green lentils (285g)
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 star anise pod
*All the ingredients for this recipe are from our pantry and freezer tips!
Instructions
- Rinse your lentils clean.
- Combine the lentils, water, and spices in a medium sized pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Drain the water and remove the spices (add them to your broth bag for homemade veggie broth).
- Serve warm. Store in the fridge for 5-7 days. OR freeze for longer storage and microwave to reheat. Try serving them alongside our Festive Hasselback Butternut Squash Tray Bake (watch the video below to see them in action!)
Notes
Approximate Cost: CAD $0.75
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
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