Can lentils be frozen?

Lentils are high in protein, fiber, and contain nutrients such as folate, potassium, and phosphorus. Therefore, lentils can be part of a healthy and balanced diet.

But cooking lentils can take a long time. Having ready-made lentils would be a great solution.

But can you freeze lentils?

You can freeze cooked lentils, as well as leftover canned lentils. Dried and cooked lentils can last 6 months in the freezer; canned lentils will taste best for up to 2 months. You can then thaw them in the microwave, fridge, or in hot water, or add them directly to your plate.

Read on for a detailed guide on how to cook, freeze, and thaw lentils, as well as cooking ideas and tips for getting the best results.

Freezing lentils: right or wrong?

Having cooked lentils in the freezer will allow you to prepare a hearty dish in a few minutes.

Cooking lentils and freezing them in portions will not only save you time, but also money. Buying canned lentils certainly costs more than a bag of dried lentils.

Now you can cook up a big batch of lentils at the weekend and have some ready for months to come.

How to cook and freeze lentils

We strongly recommend that you cook the lentils before freezing them, as they will be much more useful when thawed. Unlike beans, which require soaking and long cooking, lentils don’t take a long time to cook.

Here’s how to cook and freeze lentils for later use:

1. Rinse the lentils well, making sure to discard any stones, debris, and pebbles.
2. Put the lentils in a pot with cold water. The water should cover the lentils by half a centimeter.
3. Bring the lentils to a simmer and cook for 20 to 30 minutes. Cooking time will vary depending on the variety you use.
4. Keep an eye on the lentils as they boil and add water to keep them covered.
5. Strain the lentils once they are done. Perfectly cooked lentils are neither too soft nor too crunchy.
6. If possible, leave the lentils in the strainer longer to remove as much moisture as possible. Too much water in the lentils causes them to stick together once frozen.
7. Divide the strained lentils into portions. Keep in mind that the smaller the portions, the less time you will spend defrosting.
8. Pour the lentils into airtight plastic bags or containers. Do not overfill the container or freezer bag with lentils. Since freezing causes the product to expand, be sure to leave some extra headroom.
9. Label the containers with the date and serving size.

Do not add salt to the lentils until they are cooked. Otherwise, they will soften and lose their shape.

If you are freezing the lentils to use later in recipes where they will be cooked along with other ingredients, you can undercook them.

So when cooking stews or soups, you can let the lentils cook through while other ingredients in the dish cook.

If you cook the lentils all the way, add them to the rest of the ingredients when the dish is almost done.

How long do cooked lentils last in the freezer?

Cooked and frozen lentils will keep their best qualities for about 6 months in the freezer.

They will still be safe after that if you have provided all the necessary conditions and stored the lentils so they are not exposed to air.

In either case, carefully examine the thawed lentils. If they have a foul odor or are moldy, discard the lentils.

Can Dried Lentils Be Freezed?

Dried lentils have a fairly long shelf life. They keep for more than 2-3 years in your pantry and remain safe to eat even after.

All you have to do is maintain the right conditions. Dried lentils should be stored in a cool, dry place, in a tightly closed container.

Although you can wash and freeze dried lentils in the freezer, it won’t do you much good to do so, because you’ll have to cook them once they’re out of the freezer. 

It is preferable to freeze cooked lentils, as it will save you a lot of time and effort.

Can canned lentils be frozen?

Sometimes you open a can of lentils, use the amount called for in the recipe, and find that you have enough lentils left over to make a good-sized serving of soup or curry.

But what if you don’t feel like a plate of lentils next week? Can you freeze leftover canned lentils?

Leftover canned lentils will last up to 4 days in the fridge and much longer in the freezer.

To store leftover canned lentils, you’ll need to rinse them under cold water and put them in an airtight container, resealable plastic bag, or freezer-safe jar. Canned lentils will keep for about 2 months in the freezer if stored correctly.

To use frozen canned lentils, add them directly to hot dishes, such as casseroles or casseroles.

Keep in mind that frozen and thawed canned lentils will change their texture, becoming mushy and softer than they were before.

How to thaw frozen lentils

Thawing lentils is easy. It’s a matter of minutes if you need something quick to prepare a hearty dinner. Here are 4 easy methods to defrost frozen lentils.

Defrost Lentils in the Microwave

To thaw frozen lentils in the microwave, place the lentils in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the lentils on medium or high heat for 2 to 3 minutes until they are ready to use in your recipe of choice.

Defrost the lentils in the fridge

If you don’t need the lentils right away, thaw them in the fridge. Transfer the bag of frozen lentils to the refrigerator and leave it there until the lentils are completely thawed.

Put them in hot water

If you have frozen lentils in a bag, it is very convenient to thaw them quickly under hot running water. You can use this method to thaw the lentils and reheat them in the microwave.

Put them directly on the plate

When making a stew, soup, or casserole, you can easily put frozen lentils right into the dish. As you cook them, the lentils will thaw and join the rest of the ingredients.

How to use thawed lentils?

There are many things you can do with thawed lentils. Here are some ideas:

• Sprinkle thawed green lentils over a salad.
• Add lentils to a hearty stew with lots of vegetables.
• Make a delicious pasta sauce.
• Cook up a hearty lentil soup and serve it with crostini.

Tips for freezing and thawing lentils

Tip #1

If you like your lentils slightly crisp rather than soft, don’t cook them all the way before freezing.

Cooking the lentils to a crisp-tender texture will not make them mushy or too mushy once thawed.

Tip #2

This tip is for you if you don’t like freezing lentils because they stick together and lose their shape once thawed.

Spread the cooked lentils on a baking tray and put it in the freezer. Transfer the lentils to bags or plastic containers once frozen. This will keep the lentils well separated.

Tip #3

If you are thinking of freezing some lentils for later use, think about the dishes you want to cook and only then choose the variety you are going to work with.

Green and brown lentils hold their shape well when cooked, frozen, and thawed. Red and yellow lentils, however, split, causing them to become mushy when cooked.

Therefore, green and brown lentils are quite versatile and can be used in a wide variety of dishes, from salads to stews. Red and yellow lentils, however, are best used for purees, baby food, sauces, and any recipe where the softer texture of the lentils is preferable.

Related to this: Can lentil soup be frozen?

If you didn’t know that lentils expand when cooked and you’ve accidentally ended up with more soup or stew than you can eat, you can easily freeze it for another time.

Here’s how to freeze lentil soup:

1. If the soup is still hot, let it cool down.
2. If you are dipping the soup in portions, be sure to stir it well so that there is enough water, lentils, and other ingredients in each bag. The last thing you want is to have only liquid in one bag and only lentils in another.
3. Pour the soup into a plastic bag, squeezing out the air leaving some room for the soup to expand when frozen.
4. Flatten the bag to save space in the cold room.

To thaw the soup, let it thaw in the fridge for 10-12 hours and only then pour it into a saucepan and heat it up.

Freezing and thawing lentil soup can affect the texture. Thawed stew or soup will be thicker than it was before freezing. But it is not a problem at all, since you can add water or broth to make it liquid again.