How to Soften Lentils

Cooking lentils until they're soft is key for an enjoyable dish.

Lentils refer to a legume that offers the consumer a good ratio of protein, fiber and carbohydrates. According to the University of Purdue, lentils might have been one of the first agricultural crops that man ever grew and harvested, dating back perhaps 8,500 years. Lentils originated in the near east then spread to the Mediterranean area, making their way eventually to Asia and Europe and then finally the Western Hemisphere. Does this Spark an idea?

Print this article

Bowl or pan with lid
Water
Medium pot
Fork

Instructions

- 1
  
  Pour your desired amount of lentils into a bowl or pot and run cold water over them. With clean hands, grab and swish the lentils around the bowl as the cold water runs over them. Drain the water out of the bowl or pot. Repeat this process two more times.
- 2
  
  Fill the bowl or pan back up with water and cover with a lid or cloth. Allow the lentils to soak overnight. Soaking the lentils overnight drastically softens them.
- 3
  
  Rinse the lentils under a steady stream of cold water, rinsing away the stagnant water that they soaked in all night. Allow the water to drain from the pan or bowl and repeat three times.
- 4
  
  Put the lentils in a medium-sized pan and cover them with water. Cook them over medium heat. Check after 20 minutes by tasting one or two of them with a fork. They should be adequately soft by then. If not, allow them to cook for 10 more minutes and test again. Do not add salt, tomatoes or tomato sauce to the lentils until they're done cooking, as that will elongate the time they need to soften.