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French lentils hold their shape when cooked, making them perfect for salads and side dishes. Here’s a basic recipe for how to cook them!
Lentils are some of the world’s most nutrient-dense, healthy, and inexpensive foods. So why not eat more of them? Lucky for you, I’ve got a huge number of lentil recipes using lentils of all varieties.
I cook lentils on the stovetop and in the Instant Pot. I love black, red, yellow, and green lentils. But one of my very favorite varieties to cook with is French lentils. Why? Keep reading.
What are French lentils?
French lentils (aka French green lentils) are different from the standard green, brown, or red variety you’ll find in the store. Here are the key differences:
- They’re smaller. French lentils are small and dark greenish gray, about ⅓ the size of regular lentils.
- French lentils hold their shape when cooked. This makes them work well in salads, side dishes, and soups where you want them to hold together. Other lentil types, especially red ones, turn mushy when cooked (see Masoor Dal, for example).
- The flavor is peppery and earthy. The flavor of French lentils is different from other lentils — it’s a little stronger and more earthy.
You should be able to find French lentils at your local grocery store next to the other varieties. Not all grocery stores carry them, so you’ll have to survey your local options. (I have a handful of stores near us that carry them!) If you can’t find them, you can buy them online.
Are Puy lentils the same?
Yes! French lentils are packaged under Puy lentils, du Puy lentils, lentilles du Puy, or French green lentils. (Don’t confuse that with just “green lentils,” which are entirely different!)
Puy lentils are French lentils grown in the Puy region in central France. This region has volcanic soil, so you might notice a slight flavor difference where this variety is more peppery. However, the flavor differences are so subtle that the two are interchangeable.
How to cook French lentils
Cooking French lentils is very easy: all you need is a saucepan and 20 minutes! Here’s all you need to know (or go to the recipe below):
- Add the lentils and liquid to a saucepan. Use the ratio of 3 parts liquid to 1 part lentils (6 cups liquid to 2 cups lentils). You can use vegetable broth, water, or a mix.
- Bring to a simmer, then simmer 15 to 20 minutes until tender. At around 15 minutes, taste and assess doneness. Keep cooking until the lentils are tender.
- Drain. Drain the excess liquid. Taste and add additional seasonings if desired.
Ways to serve them
Once you’re done cooking, what’s next? Here are recipes that highlight this unique variety of legume:
- Easy side dish: olive oil and chopped herbs. All you need to do to dress these up is a drizzle of olive oil and whatever chopped herbs you have on hand.
- Lentil salad. This French lentil salad uses Dijon dressing, shallot, mint, and feta cheese to take these lentils over the top! Or, try this lentil salad with feta.
- Shepherd’s Pie. Use them in vegan shepherd’s pie, a fan favorite with a thick, savory gravy and fluffy mashed potatoes.
- Sloppy Joes. Substitute brown lentils for the ground beef in these delicious, crowd-pleasing vegan Sloppy Joes.
- Smoky lentils and rice. My Instant Pot lentils and rice recipe works as a lunch, side dish, or healthy taco filling.
- Stuffed sweet potatoes. These stuffed sweet potatoes are a hearty vegetarian main dish.
Dietary notes
This French lentil recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Easy French Lentils
French lentils hold their shape when cooked, making them perfect for salads and side dishes. Here’s a basic recipe for how to cook them!
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Legumes
Ingredients
- 1 pound (2 ¼ cups) French lentils, also called Puy lentils
- 1 quart vegetable broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon dried mediterranean herbs, such as thyme, tarragon, or sage
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, bring all ingredients to a simmer. Simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes until tender (taste to assess doneness).
- Drain the excess liquid. Taste and if serving as is, season with additional salt and pepper (and maybe a drizzle of olive oil). Add chopped fresh herbs or a little minced garlic to make a tasty side. Or use it in salad recipes like my French lentil salad.
More about lentils
Here are a few resources for cooking with this whole food plant-based (WFPB) food:
- How to Cook Lentils: Info about lentils and how to cook them.
- What are Lentils?: An overview of the types of lentils and best recipes for each.
- Seasoned Brown Lentils: A basic recipe for brown lentils.
- Benefits of Lentils: An outline on the benefits of eating this tasty legume.
- Hearty Lentil Stew: Packed with hearty flavor and loaded with plant-based protein: perfect for a simple lunch or dinner!
While some use these terms interchangeably with French lentils, Puy lentils, or lentilles du Puy, are a lentil variety from a specific area of France. Grown in volcanic soil, the resulting Puy lentils have an even more peppery taste with a hint of earthy flavor. French lentils not labeled “Puy” have simply been grown elsewhere, likely in another part of Europe or North America.
Perfect! Nice and basic and now I can add them to salads!
Do I need to soak the lentils prior to cooking?
Not for this recipe!