25 Amazing Split Red Lentil Recipes

Split red lentils are so easy to cook with. Because they are split, they cook quickly on the stove or in the Instant Pot. They simmer on the stove in about 15 minutes, and they cook in the Instant Pot in five minutes!

There are also just so many ways to cook with red lentils! You can, of course, use them as the base for soups, stews, and curries. But because they break down when you cook them and have a neutral flavor, you can use them to thicken and add protein to sauces and spreads. They can even add moisture and sneaky fiber and protein to baked goods, like brownies!

Dried split red lentils are shelf stable, so they keep for ages in an airtight container in the pantry. If your lentils are older, they can take longer to cook and need a bit more water, but they’ll still work well in the split red lentil recipes below.

Split red lentils are brown lentils that have been skinned and split. They are often labeled as just red lentils. You can find them in many stores as well as online. Red lentils can also be found in whole form, i.e they have been skinned but not split. You can use the non split red or pink lentils as well, they just take a few mins longer to cook. 1 cup of cooked split red lentils has 18g protein and 16g fiber! And rich is iron , potassium and folate. Try some of these recipes and do let me know what’s your favorite way to use red lentils!

Red Lentil Dal and Soups

Red Lentil Spinach Soup

Golden Red Lentil Dal (Turmeric Spinach Dal)

Vegan Dalcha

Vegan Masoor Dal Tadka Indian Split Red Lentil Dal

Dal Fry

Thecha Dal- Lentil Dal with Blistered Chilies and Garlic

1 Pot Lentil Tortilla Soup (Instant Pot or Saucepan)

Turkish Red Lentil Soup

Split Red Lentil Stews and curries

Vegan Keema Madras with lentils

Vegan Red Lentil Sweet Potato Curry

Lentil Chickpea Stew with sun-dried tomato and italian herbs

Spiced Lentil Rice Casserole or Kitchari Casserole

Sri Lankan Red Lentil Curry

Spicy Lentil Bean Stew

Instant Pot Red Lentil Recipes

Instant Pot Lasagna Soup – Vegan Lasagna Soup

Instant Pot Lentil Butternut Squash Curry

Instant Pot Kitchari

Instant Pot Vegan Chili – Oil-free Kidney Bean Red Lentil Chili

Red Lentil Recipes that aren’t soups or stews!

Lentil Brownies

Red Lentil Granola with Coconut and Cranberries

Lentil Bolognese With Spaghetti

Cajun Spiced Smoky Vegan Sloppy Joes

BBQ Lentil Burger (Vegan Red Lentil Veggie Burger)

Chickpea Cauliflower Tacos with Lentil Tortillas

Gobi Aloo Wrap Vegan Red Lentils Hummus Wrap with Cauliflower and Potatoes

Chorizo Tofu Burrito Bowl

Turmeric Lentil Fritters Tomato Bowl with Tahini Dill Sauce

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions

What can I do with split red lentils?

So many things! Use them to make conventional recipes, like soups, stews, curries, and dal. Or, you can use them in more offbeat ways, like, tortillas, pancakes, brownies, to thicken sauces, and even to make granola!

Dp you have to split red lentils before cooking?

You don’t! They are bought as split red lentils. Split red lentils cook up very quickly, no soaking needed. I do recommend rinsing them well in a strainer before using.