23 Lentil Recipes That Go Beyond Soup

While we love cooking with beans, it’s time to give lentil recipes their due. Unlike many dried beans—which often need an overnight soak or a spin in an Instant Pot—lentils cook quickly on the stovetop, usually in about 30 minutes. From fall-apart tender red lentils to sturdy French green or beluga varieties that hold their shape, there’s a lentil recipe for every mood and meal.

This recipe collection shows just how approachable, versatile, and budget-friendly lentils can be. Cook a big batch of the tiny, tender legumes once and turn it into a week’s worth of meals: crispy fried lentils for grain bowls, cozy soups, marinated lentils that get better the longer they sit, hearty lentil burgers, quick dals, savory pasta sauces, and protein-packed salads. Scroll on to discover our favorite lentil recipes—and plenty of inspiration for putting lentils on repeat.