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How to Microwave Brown Lentils

Perfectly cooked brown lentils made and served in the glass Anyday dish, providing a hearty and nutritious addition to your meals. This method ensures tender, flavorful lentils, ideal for soups, salads, or side dishes.
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Prep Time

1 min

Cook Time

32-33 mins
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Free Time

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How to Microwave Brown Lentils

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All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

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Looking for an easy way to add more fiber to your diet? Brown lentils, known for their high fiber content and nutritional benefits, can be prepared super quickly using the microwave. Make a big batch for stirring into soups, adding to curries, or topping salads.

Important: This recipe works only with brown lentils. Other varieties like red, beluga, and green lentils have different cooking times!

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

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Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

1/2 cup brown lentils
  • 1/2 cup brown lentils
  • 1 cup brown lentils
  • 1 1/2 cups brown lentils
  • 2 cups brown lentils
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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

[[video-wattage]]

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

700w
  • 700w
  • 800w
  • 900w
  • 1000w
  • 1100w
  • 1200w

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Dish

The Medium Deep Dish

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (100g) brown lentils
  • 1½ cups water

Preparation

  1. Add the water and brown lentils to the Anyday Deep Dish,.
  2. Cook uncovered in the microwave for 32-33 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
  3. Rest covered for 5 minutes. Using the Anyday Strainer, strain any excess water before serving or storing.

Suggestions

  • Quick lentil salad: Season cooked lentils with Italian dressing and a spoonful of pesto for a flavorful, easy salad.
  • Soup addition: Stir lentils into soups to add extra fiber and hearty texture.
  • Curry seasoning: Stir in curry powder, cumin, and a dash of turmeric for a spiced, flavorful side dish.
  • Lentil tacos: Use cooked lentils as a filling for tacos, seasoned with chili powder, cumin, and topped with salsa and guacamole.

Recipe Notes

  • his recipe works only with brown lentils. Other varieties like red, beluga, and green lentils have different cooking times!
  • You don’t need to soak the lentils before cooking them in the microwave.
  • Sub in chicken or vegetable stock for water for extra flavor.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

Microwave Match Up: Brown Lentils

See for yourself— microwaving brown lentils is simply faster, start to finish.

Appliance Cook Time
Microwave in an Anyday dish 25 mins
Stovetop* 25-30 mins
Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)* 25 mins
*Includes preheat time
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All You Need to Know About Microwaving Brown Lentils

How long does it take to cook lentils in the microwave?

Ingredient Water Cook Time
1/2 cup brown lentils 1 1/2 cups water 32-33 mins
1 cup brown lentils 3 cups water 32-33 mins
1 1/2 cups brown lentils 4 1/2 cups water 38-39 mins
2 cups brown lentils 6 cups water 40-42 mins
Cook time calculated for 700w microwave

It typically takes around 25 minutes to cook brown lentils in the microwave. To tell when lentils are cooked through, look for plump and tender lentils. You can also test it by trying a bite; the lentils should be tender but not mushy.

How to freeze microwaved lentils?

To freeze microwaved lentils, first, cook them in the microwave and allow the lentils to rest according to the directions above. Let the lentils fully cool uncovered and transfer them to 1/2 Cup Anytime Freezer Trays. Cover and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Do you have to rinse lentils before cooking?

It is recommended to rinse lentils before cooking to remove any unwanted dust or debris. You may want to briefly sort through the lentils to make sure you’ve picked out any unwanted pieces.

Is it required to soak lentils before cooking them?

It is unnecessary to soak lentils before cooking them in the microwave. If you wish to soak the lentils, be sure to lower the total cooking time and check it halfway through to make sure the lentils don’t overcook.

Are microwaved lentils good for you?

Lentils are packed with a special kind of fiber that's great for your digestive system and promotes healthy gut bacteria. Additionally, fiber can potentially lower the risk of colorectal cancer and has a vital role in keeping our digestive system regular and supporting the immune system.

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