What food has lentils in it? Your comprehensive guide

December 11, 2025 •

3 min read

Dating back to 8,000 BC, lentils are one of the oldest cultivated crops in history and have been a nutritional staple for millennia. Today, people around the world enjoy lentils in a vast array of dishes, making it important to know exactly what food has lentils in it to expand your cooking repertoire.

Quick Summary

Lentils are a versatile legume used in numerous global cuisines, including soups, stews, salads, curries, and as a popular plant-based meat alternative in burgers and loaves. The variety of lentil chosen can impact the final dish's texture and flavor profile.

Key Points

Indian and South Asian Cuisine: Lentils are a cornerstone, most famously prepared as dal, a spiced curry served with rice or flatbread.
Versatile Soups and Stews: Brown and green lentils are ideal for adding body and protein to hearty soups and stews due to their ability to hold their shape.
Middle Eastern Classics: Dishes like Mujadara showcase lentils combined with rice and caramelized onions for a satisfying and traditional meal.
Plant-Based Alternatives: Lentils serve as an excellent meat substitute in Western dishes, including burgers, loaves, and bolognese, providing a meaty texture.
Flavorful Salads: Firm varieties like French (Puy) and black (Beluga) lentils are perfect for cold salads, offering a nutty flavor and pleasant texture.
Rapid Cooking: Red lentils cook quickly and break down into a soft puree, making them perfect for thickening soups and curries without needing to pre-soak.

Lentils are a powerhouse of nutrition, celebrated for their high protein and fiber content, and are a staple ingredient in countless traditional and modern recipes. Their versatility extends across global cuisines, where they are used to add heartiness, texture, and flavor to a vast range of dishes. Whether you are a vegetarian looking for meat substitutes or a home cook seeking to add more healthy ingredients to your pantry, lentils are an excellent, affordable choice.

Global Culinary Applications

Indian and South Asian Classics

Lentils, known as dal in India and Nepal, are a cornerstone of South Asian cuisine and are prepared in countless ways.

Dal: This is perhaps the most famous lentil dish, a thick, spiced curry or stew made from split lentils. Different varieties are used, such as Masoor dal (red lentils), Toor dal (yellow split peas), and Urad dal (black gram).
Khichdi: A comforting, one-pot dish where lentils are cooked with rice, vegetables, and spices. It is considered a wholesome, nutritious meal.
Papad: These crispy, thin flatbreads are often made from lentil flour and seasoned with various spices.
Dosa: Fermented lentil and rice batter is used to create these savory, pancake-like crepes.

Middle Eastern Staples

In the Middle East, lentils are featured in hearty, traditional dishes that have been enjoyed for generations.

Mujadara: A beloved classic, this dish combines cooked lentils with rice and is topped with deeply caramelized onions.
Shorbat Adas: A simple yet flavorful lentil soup, often made with red lentils, lemon juice, and cumin.
Adasi: A traditional Persian lentil soup or stew, served for breakfast.

European and Western Dishes

Beyond their traditional origins, lentils have found their way into many Western and European kitchens as a versatile ingredient.

Hearty Soups and Stews: Lentils, especially brown and green varieties, are perfect for thickening and adding substance to winter soups and stews. They absorb the flavors of herbs and spices beautifully.
Lentil Bolognese: A popular plant-based alternative to traditional meat bolognese, using brown or green lentils as the base for a rich pasta sauce.
Lentil Burgers and Loaves: Lentils are mashed and combined with other ingredients like vegetables, spices, and breadcrumbs to form vegetarian patties or loaves.
Salads: Cooked and cooled lentils, particularly French (Puy) or black (Beluga) lentils that hold their shape well, make a fantastic base for cold salads, tossed with vinaigrettes and fresh vegetables.

Modern Adaptations

Lentil versatility continues to grow, with newer, inventive applications appearing in recent years.

Lentil Wraps and Tacos: A spiced lentil and walnut mixture can be used as a filling for wraps and tacos, offering a satisfying texture.
Zucchini-Lentil Fritters: Fritters made from lentils and vegetables provide a crispy, nutritious snack or side dish.
Mushroom Wellington: Lentils can be included in the savory filling for this elegant, vegetarian main course.

Lentil Comparison Table

To help you choose the best lentil for your next dish, here is a quick comparison of the most common types.


Lentil Type	Appearance	Cook Time	Best Used In...	Texture & Notes
Red Lentils	Orange/Red	~15-20 min	Soups, curries (dal), purees	Breaks down easily, ideal for thickening and creating a smooth texture.
Brown Lentils	Brown/Green-Brown	~20-30 min	Hearty soups, stews, loaves, burgers	Holds shape moderately well, common and versatile.
Green Lentils	Green/Speckled	~25-35 min	Salads, stews, side dishes	Sturdier than brown lentils, retains shape well.
French (Puy) Lentils	Dark, greenish-blue	~30-40 min	Salads, side dishes, elegant platings	Holds shape exceptionally well, distinct peppery flavor.
Black (Beluga) Lentils	Small, black	~25-30 min	Salads, side dishes	Tiny and glossy, holds shape perfectly, often compared to caviar.

Conclusion

From the foundational dal of Indian cuisine to the modern-day lentil burger, the answer to "what food has lentils in it" is a remarkably diverse and delicious list. Their rich nutritional profile, ease of cooking, and wide range of textures make them a staple across many cultures and diets. The adaptability of this humble legume makes it an essential pantry item for home cooks everywhere. By incorporating different varieties of lentils into your meals, you can enjoy a world of flavor while reaping their numerous health benefits. Whether you crave a creamy red lentil curry or a crisp, flavorful green lentil salad, there is a lentil dish perfectly suited for your next meal.

For more healthy lentil recipes and cooking tips, see the guides available from BBC Good Food.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dal is a traditional and widely popular Indian dish, essentially a thick, flavorful curry or stew made from lentils or other pulses. The specific type of lentil used, such as red, yellow, or black, and the blend of spices, defines the specific variety of dal.

Yes, lentil burgers are an excellent plant-based alternative to meat. They are hearty, packed with protein and fiber, and can be seasoned to achieve a satisfying, savory flavor profile.

While not strictly necessary for most varieties, soaking can improve the digestibility of lentils and reduce cooking time. Quick-cooking red lentils often do not require soaking, while sturdier varieties like brown and green can benefit from it.

French (Puy) and black (Beluga) lentils are the best choices for salads because they hold their shape exceptionally well when cooked. They add texture and a pleasant flavor without becoming mushy.

Yes, lentil bolognese is a fantastic vegetarian alternative to the classic meat sauce. It provides a similar hearty and rich texture, and is an easy way to boost the fiber and nutrient content of a pasta dish.

Classic Middle Eastern dishes featuring lentils include Mujadara, which combines lentils and rice with caramelized onions, and Shorbat Adas, a traditional lentil soup.

Yes, lentil flour can be used in baking. It is sometimes used as a functional ingredient in various bakery products, including some flatbreads and crackers. Lentil flour adds protein and a unique flavor profile.