How much dry lentils for two people?

November 26, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutrition data, a single serving of cooked lentils is about ½ cup. This means that portioning for two people requires careful consideration to avoid waste or under-serving. A good rule of thumb for how much dry lentils for two people is to start with around ⅓ cup, which expands significantly when cooked.

Quick Summary

This guide provides precise measurements for cooking dried lentils for two, covering different types and meal contexts. It includes a comparison of dry-to-cooked volume, a cooking table, and tips for perfect results every time.

Key Points

Ideal Portion: Start with ⅔ cup of dry lentils to make enough for two people, which yields over 1.5 cups cooked.
Expansion Rate: Dry lentils typically expand to about 2.5 times their original volume when cooked.
Lentil Varieties: Choose brown or green lentils for dishes where they need to hold their shape, and red or yellow lentils for soups and purees.
Cooking Liquid: Use a 3:1 ratio of water or broth to dry lentils for cooking.
Add Salt Later: Avoid adding salt or acidic ingredients until after the lentils are cooked to ensure tenderness.
Versatility: Lentils can be used in hearty stews, light salads, and a variety of other dishes.
Storage: Cooked lentils can be refrigerated for several days, making them perfect for meal prepping.

Determining the Right Portion

Getting the right amount of dry lentils for two people is key to a successful meal. The rule of thumb that ⅓ cup of dry lentils per person works well, meaning a total of about ⅔ cup of dry lentils for a two-person serving. However, this can be adjusted based on the specific recipe. For a hearty stew or main dish, you might increase this slightly, while a lighter side salad might need less. Lentils expand significantly when cooked, often swelling to about 2.5 times their dry volume. This means that ⅔ cup of dry lentils will yield over 1 ½ cups of cooked lentils, a very satisfying amount for two people.

The Dry vs. Cooked Volume Expansion

Understanding the volume increase is crucial. One cup of dry lentils typically yields around 2.5 cups of cooked lentils. If you start with ⅔ cup of dry lentils for two, you can expect to have approximately 1.6 to 1.7 cups of cooked lentils. This expanded volume provides a generous serving size, especially when paired with other ingredients like vegetables and grains. For a soup or dal, where the lentils break down and thicken the broth, the final volume will be more homogenous but equally filling.

Factors Influencing Your Portion

Recipe Type: A main-course soup or curry will require a more substantial amount of lentils than a salad topping or a side dish. A rich lentil stew can feel very hearty even with a smaller dry portion, while a cold lentil salad might feel lighter and need a larger portion to fill up diners.
Other Ingredients: Consider what you are serving with the lentils. If it's a stand-alone, high-protein meal, use the higher end of the portion recommendation. If it is part of a larger meal with rice, vegetables, or meat, you can use less.
Lentil Type: Different types of lentils cook differently and have slightly different expansion rates. Red lentils, for instance, break down more quickly and are better for thickening, while brown or green lentils hold their shape and are ideal for salads.

Cooking Different Lentil Varieties for Two

The best way to cook lentils for two depends on the variety you choose. Fortunately, the water ratio of 3 parts liquid to 1 part dry lentils remains consistent across most types. It is also generally recommended to add salt after the lentils are cooked to prevent them from becoming tough.

How to Cook for Two

For a two-person serving (⅔ cup dry lentils):

Rinse and Sort: Place ⅔ cup of dry lentils in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse them thoroughly under cold water. Look for and remove any small pebbles or debris.
Combine and Boil: Put the rinsed lentils in a saucepan with 2 cups of water or broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for the time indicated in the table below.
Finish: Drain any excess liquid and season with salt and other flavorings after cooking.

Comparison Table: Lentil Varieties for Two


Lentil Type	Texture When Cooked	Recommended Use	Cook Time for ⅔ Cup (Approx.)
Brown Lentils	Soft but holds shape	Soups, stews, hearty side dishes	20–25 minutes
Green Lentils	Firm, distinct shape	Salads, side dishes, casseroles	25–30 minutes
Red Lentils	Soft, breaks down easily	Curries, dals, thick soups	15–20 minutes
Black (Beluga)	Firm, holds shape well	Salads, pilafs, garnish	25–30 minutes

Perfecting Your Lentil Preparation

Flavor Boosters: Cooking lentils in vegetable or chicken broth instead of plain water is an easy way to add a layer of flavor. You can also add aromatics like a bay leaf, a clove of garlic, or a piece of kombu to the pot while simmering.
Avoid Overcooking: Always check the lentils a few minutes before the recommended time to ensure they are tender but not mushy. Overcooked lentils can become porridge-like, which is fine for some dishes (like dal) but not for others (like salads).
Storage Tips: If you have leftovers, cooked lentils can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–5 days. They can also be frozen for longer storage.

Conclusion

For a satisfying meal for two people, using ⅔ cup of dry lentils is the ideal starting point for most varieties. This simple measurement can be scaled up or down depending on the recipe and desired heartiness. By selecting the right type of lentil and following the easy cooking method, you can ensure a delicious and nutritious meal every time. Whether you're making a rich Indian dal, a peppery green lentil salad, or a simple side dish, portioning correctly will save you time and prevent food waste.

For more information on lentil varieties and recipes, you can visit a reliable cooking resource like The Kitchn.

Frequently Asked Questions

To get half a cup of cooked lentils, you would need to use approximately 3 tablespoons of dry lentils. Since the expansion rate is about 2.5 times, 3 tablespoons of dry lentils will yield around 7.5 tablespoons, or roughly half a cup, when cooked.

The core dry measurement of ⅓ cup per person is a good starting point for most types of lentils. However, different varieties like red, green, or brown will cook at different rates and break down differently, which can affect the final consistency, but not the initial dry portion.

Lentils are done when they are tender and no longer crunchy. The cooking time will vary by type, so it's best to start checking a few minutes before the recommended time. They should not be overly mushy, unless you are making a soup or dal.

While cooking lentils in water is perfectly fine, using vegetable, chicken, or beef broth will add a more robust and savory flavor to the dish. This is a simple trick to elevate the taste of your lentils.

Soaking dry lentils is not typically necessary as they cook relatively quickly on their own. However, if you are concerned about digestive issues or want to slightly reduce cooking time, a short soak is possible.

Brown lentils are one of the most common and versatile varieties, making them an excellent choice for beginners. They have a mild, earthy flavor and hold their shape well, working perfectly in a wide range of dishes.

Lentils can become mushy if they are overcooked or if you used a variety, like red lentils, that is prone to breaking down. To prevent this, check them frequently near the end of their cooking time and don't add salt until they are finished.