How to Cook Lentils in a Rice Cooker? Expert Cooking Tips

One pot of lentils is a tasty and nutritious side dish that could feed a crowd. Lentils were mainly food for vegetarians, but now people enjoy them with various dietary preferences. You likely have found them in soups, stews, and salads.

They are a type of legume and highly nutritious and are an excellent source of protein, fibre, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. You could cook them in a pressure cooker, stovetop, or slow cooker.

If you are curious about how to make lentils in a rice cooker, we will guide you. By the end of the article, you will know all about making healthy and savoury lentils.

What do Lentils Taste Like?

When you cook Lentils, they have a mild, earthy flavour and a slightly grainy texture. They are often known as having a nutty, earthy, and slightly peppery taste. The taste can vary slightly depending on the kind of lentil, as some are a little sweeter than others.

Generally, lentils have a savoury flavour that pairs well with various spices and ingredients.

How to Cook Perfect Lentils in a Rice Cooker? [Simple Steps to Follow]

Now let’s get to know the answer to your primary question, i.e., how to make lentils in a rice cooker. Lentils have many types and unique tastes and cooking needs.

 If you’ve never made lentils before and are looking for an easy way to prepare them, follow the steps below.

What You’ll Need

• 1 cup of lentils
• 2 cups of water or vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon of oil
• Salt and pepper (for taste)
• Half tbs turmeric
• Spatula
• A bowl
• A rice cooker

Step by step Instructions for Cooking Lentils in a Rice Cooker

Step 1 – Rinse the Lentils

The first step is to wash your lentils properly. Rinse them under cold running water to remove any debris or dirt. Then drain them in a strainer.

Step 2 – Dry the rinsed lentils

After you rinse the lentils, let them dry for a few minutes. While the lentils are drying, you can prepare the inner pan of the rice cooker. Add a layer of cooking oil before adding the pulses.

Step 3 – Add water & Lentils to the pot

Add the lentils and 2 cups of water or vegetable broth to the rice cooker. After that, close the rice cooker’s lid and plug it into the outlet.

Step 4 – Switch on the Rice cooker

Next, please turn on the rice cooker, then set the timer for the time you want it to cook. The typical rice cooker has a set cook time of 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 5 – Mixing

When the lentils are halfway through the cooking process, open the rice cooker lid and stir the lentils with a spoon. This step will help ensure they cook evenly and do not stick to the pan’s bottom. You can also check the firmness of the lentils at this point and adjust the cooking time.

Step 6 – Serve

When cooking is complete, turn off the rice cooker and let the lentils sit for a few minutes to cool down slightly. Then open the lid, fluff the lentils with a fork and serve them hot.

My Favorite Recipe for Lentils in 3 Easy Steps

Here is another recipe for lentils to make your food more delicious and flavorful.

Ingredients

• 1 chopped onion
• bay leaves
• 1 diced tomato
• salt and pepper
• garlic
• Two baby carrots

Seasoning

Now add rinse lentils to the pot, combine all the ingredients and add water. The ratio of lentils to water is 1:3.

Cooking

In this step, close the cooker’s lid and switch it on. Push the “cook” button and wait for the cooking to complete.

Serve

Now here is a delightful meal. Serve the lentils with rice and have a healthy meal. Let’s know the Aroma rice cooker’s instructions to cook perfect rice.

A Rainbow of Lentils

There is a wide variety of lentils you can find on supermarket shelves. Each type has its unique texture, flavour, and culinary uses. Let’s get to know some common types of lentils.

1. Green lentils

The green lentils are also known as French lentils and are a widespread type. They are a bit firmer than brown lentils, and the taste is slightly peppery.

There is another type of green lentil known as the Puy lentil. These are small, dark green lentils and have a slightly nutty flavour.

2. Brown lentils

These are the universal lentils, meaning you cook them with other meals like salad, soups or even veggie burgers. They are earthy, mild in flavour, and hold their shape well when cooked.

3. Red lentils

These lentils cook quickly and become soft and creamy. Red lentils come in two varieties: whole and split. Whole red lentils are red, while split red lentils are orange.

Split red lentils are used for blending into dishes. They have a sweet and mild flavour.

4. Black lentils

These lentils are also known as beluga lentils due to their resemblance to beluga caviar. Black lentils are rich and earthy, making them great for salads and stews.

These lentils are high in protein, fibre, iron, and other essential nutrients. You can use them in vegetarian and vegan dishes as a meat substitute.

5. Pink lentils

Pink lentils are also known as Egyptian lentils. They are salmon-pink and have a mild, sweet flavour. Pink lentils cook quickly and easily break down into a thick and creamy texture, making them a popular ingredient in soups, stews, and curries.

Other Alternative ways to Cook Lentils

It is okay if you don’t have a rice cooker. There are other ways to make lentils, like cooking them on the stovetop, pressure cooker or slow cooker.

Cook lentils on the stovetop

Here’s a simple recipe for cooking lentils on the stovetop:

1. Rinse the lentils in a colander and remove any debris or stones.
2. Add the large pot of lentils, water, chopped onion, minced garlic, and bay leaf.
3. Bring the pan to a boil over high heat.
4. Once the water boils, reduce the heat and let it simmer.
5. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 20-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
6. Now serve and enjoy.

Cook lentils in a pressure cooker

If you have less time, cooking lentils in a pressure cooker is a great idea. Follow the below steps to make a delicious lentils dish in a pressure cooker:

1. Rinse the lentils to remove any debris or stones.
2. Add the lentils and water to the pressure cooker. The lentils to water ratio are 1:1/2 cups.
3. Close the lid and set the pressure cooker to high pressure.
4. Cook the lentils for 12-15 minutes.
5. Once the lentils are done, let the pressure release naturally for 10-15 minutes.
6. Open the lid and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cook lentils in a slow cooker

To cook in a slow cooker means getting tender and favours lentils. Here step by step guide:

1. Rinse the lentils in a strainer.
2. Add the lentils and other ingredients to the slow cooker.
3. Stir everything together to ensure that the lentils are submerged in the liquid.
4. Set the slow cooker to high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours, depending on the lentil you’re using.
5. Check the lentils for tenderness and add more liquid if necessary.
6. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
7. Serve the lentils on their own or as a side dish.

What’s the Difference Between Cooking Lentils in a Rice Cooker or a Stovetop?

Cooking lentils in a rice cooker can differ from cooking them on the stovetop. The primary difference is that rice cookers cook at a constant temperature and maintain a consistent moisture level.

When you cook them on the stovetop, it has variable heat levels and requires more frequent monitoring. Unlike a rice cooker, to cook lentils on the stovetop, you typically soak them in water for a few hours beforehand.

To Finish

A Rice cooker is a lifetime investment for us. A few minutes matter, whether cooking rice or other meals. Cooking lentils in a rice cooker is a great way to make them tender and delicious without much effort. This method is fast and easy to control.

Lentils are a healthy food because they are a substitute for animal fats. They are great for making gluten-free dishes that are full of nutrients.

FAQs

Recipe

Lentils In A Rice Cooker

Anum Rafique

A simple recipe to cook prefect lentils in a rice cooker. You could eat them as a side dish with rice or any other meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Calories 169 kcal

Equipment

• Rice Cooker

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup of lentils
• 2 cups of water or vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp of oil
• Salt and pepper (for taste)
• 1/2 tbsp turmeric

Instructions

 

• The first step is to wash your lentils properly. Rinse them under cold running water to remove any debris or dirt. Then drain them in a strainer.
• After you rinse the lentils, let them dry for a few minutes. While the lentils are drying, you can prepare the inner pan of the rice cooker. Add a layer of cooking oil before adding the pulses.
• Add the lentils and 2 cups of water or vegetable broth to the rice cooker. After that, close the rice cooker's lid and plug it into the outlet.
• Next, please turn on the rice cooker, then set the timer for the time you want it to cook. The typical rice cooker has a set cook time of 20 to 30 minutes.
• When the lentils are halfway through the cooking process, open the rice cooker lid and stir the lentils with a spoon. This step will help ensure they cook evenly and do not stick to the pan's bottom. You can also check the firmness of the lentils at this point and adjust the cooking time.
• When cooking is complete, turn off the rice cooker and let the lentils sit for a few minutes to cool down slightly. Then open the lid, fluff the lentils with a fork and serve them hot.

Keyword Rice Cooker Recipes