What are the best lentils for Soup?
- Dried lentils are best for lentil soup. You can use most types of lentils for this recipe – brown, green, red or yellow, though it will affect the colour of the soup. I’ve used green lentils, pictured below.
Do you cook lentils before adding to soup?
The other good news: Lentils don’t need to soak as beans do (though you do need to sort and rinse them before cooking).
Some, like red lentils, dissolve as they cook and make for a smooth soup.
Others, such as green and brown lentils, hold their shape and make a soup with more texture.
What kind of lentils do you use for soup?
Dried lentils are best for lentil soup. You can use most types of lentils for this recipe – brown, green, red or yellow, though it will affect the colour of the soup. I’ve used green lentils, pictured below.
Do you have to soak lentils before cooking them?
Lentils do not require it but can be soaked in order to reduce cooking time by about half. Before cooking, rinse lentils in cold water, pick over to remove debris or shrivelled lentils, then drain.
How long does it take to cook lentils?
Cook on a stovetop, using 3 cups of liquid (water, stock, etc) to 1 cup of dry lentils. Be sure to use a large enough saucepan as the lentils will double or triple in size. Bring to a boil, cover tightly, reduce heat and simmer until they are tender. For whole lentils, cook time is typically 15-20 minutes.