How long do cooked lentils last?

Lentils are very easy to cook and don’t take too long, but if there’s any way to cut down on the time and energy you spend cooking, it’s a smart idea. Batch cooking the lentils or at least saving leftovers for quick meals in the future is a great idea.

How long do cooked lentils last?

If stored correctly in the fridge, cooked lentils will last an average of 3-5 days, and no more than a week. If you freeze your cooked lentils, they will retain their best quality for about 6 months before they start to lose their flavor and texture rapidly.

In the remainder of this article, we’ll discuss best practices for properly storing cooked lentils to maximize their shelf life.

How to preserve cooked lentils

Cooked lentils will remain delicious for future meals only if they are stored correctly.

Follow these simple instructions if you have leftover lentils that you’d like to enjoy later in the week:

1. Let the lentils cool completely to room temperature before storing.
2. Be sure to refrigerate or freeze cooked lentils within 2 hours of cooking.
3. Transfer the lentils to a Ziploc bag or shallow Tupperware container that has an airtight seal and does not leave too much headroom in the container.

You want the air to be in contact with the lentils as little as possible. If you store them in a Ziploc bag, be sure to squeeze out as much air as possible and check for holes in the zipper.

If you store the lentils in a Tupperware container, you can place a plastic sheet over the surface of the lentils to minimize air exposure. This is especially helpful if you have transferred them to a large container and there is extra space between the lentils and the lid.

How long do cooked lentils last in the fridge?

Cooked lentils, if properly cooled and stored in the fridge as per the recommendations above, will stay fresh and safe for an average of 3-5 days, 1 week max.

If you want your cooked lentils to last longer, you can freeze them.

How long does lentil soup last in the fridge?

While the lentils themselves stay fresh for up to 1 week, everything else that goes into the soup may not. For maximum safety and enjoyment, aim to consume your lentil soup within 3-4 days of properly refrigerating it.

How long do canned lentils last in the fridge?

An unopened can of lentils does not need to be refrigerated and will last more or less indefinitely, although it is always best to stick to the best before date stamped on the can.

Once the can of lentils is opened, it should be treated the same as cooked lentils. Store them according to the indications indicated above and consume them within 5 days of opening, a week maximum.

Can cooked lentils be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze cooked lentils and this will prolong their life without compromising flavor or texture too much.

That said, if you plan to puree the lentils after they are thawed, this will give you the most reliable consistency, as freezing can compromise the structure and make the lentils softer than originally prepared.

If you know you’re going to freeze the lentils once they’re cooked, it’s best not to cook them all the way.

If you freeze them while they’re still 5 minutes away from reaching the perfect texture, they’ll hold their shape better in the freezer and won’t be as likely to overcook when you thaw and reheat them.

How to freeze cooked lentils

If you plan to use the lentils whole, not pureed, you will get the best results if you freeze each lentil separately first.

When freezing cooked lentils, try the following:

1. Spread your cooled, drained, and cooked lentils onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet, so they are in a single layer. Make sure they don’t touch each other.
2. Place the entire baking sheet in the freezer and pre-freeze for 1-2 hours.
3. Once each lentil is well frozen, you can transfer the entire batch to a freezer-safe Ziploc bag, sealing it with as little air as possible inside the bag.

If you’re going to puree lentils after thawing them, you don’t have to worry about freezing them individually first. Instead, you can simply transfer the cooked, drained, and cooled lentils to a freezer-safe Ziploc brand bag immediately.

Get as much air out as possible before freezing them. Make sure they don’t get crushed under other food or objects, at least until they’re well frozen.

Best of all, reheating the lentils when you’re ready to enjoy them will be a breeze.

Can canned lentils be frozen?

You can freeze canned lentils once opened. Treat canned lentils the same as dry-cooked ones, following the instructions above.

It is very important that you never freeze any canned goods in their unopened cans. Canned goods are pressurized and freezing will expand any liquid inside the container, potentially causing an explosion that is messy at best and dangerous at worst.

How long do cooked lentils last in the freezer?

It’s always a good idea to label Ziploc bags or Tupperware containers before putting them in the freezer so you know how long they’ve been frozen. Cooked lentils will retain their best quality for about 6 months.

After that time, they will remain safe to eat for years if kept well frozen, but their flavor and texture will degrade over time.

Do dried lentils go bad?

Properly packaged and stored dried lentils will last indefinitely, although most packages have a best before date.

Once the container is opened, the freshness will begin to degrade and should be consumed within approximately 1 year, although they should be stored carefully in an airtight container.

If there is exposure to moisture, it can allow bacteria to grow. If there isn’t an airtight seal on your storage container, your lentils can attract small bugs or other pests. For best results, store lentils in a glass jar or container with a tight-fitting, airtight lid.

How long do lentils last? [Table]

Related questions

How are lentils cooked?

The most common way to cook lentils is on the fire, or in a pot. Lentils are very small legumes that cook much faster than dried beans. They should be rinsed well to remove any contaminants or debris, but they don’t need to be soaked before cooking.

1. You need 3 cups of water for every cup of dried lentils. Bring the water, with the lentils, to a rapid boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a simmer.
2. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the lentils are tender to your liking. Whole lentils will take an average of 5 minutes longer to cook than split ones.
3. Keep a close eye on the pot and add water as needed to make sure the lentils have enough water to absorb as they cook.
4. The lentils will about double in size when done. If you’re happy with the texture and there’s still some water left, you can simply drain the lentils or use the water to add depth and flavor to a sauce.

Can you get poisoned with lentils?

You can get food poisoning from almost any improperly stored food if bacteria has had a chance to invade and you eat it.

Cooked lentils served shortly after preparation will have very little chance or likelihood of causing food poisoning.

However, if they are left out at room temperature for a long period of time and then eaten without heating them properly and thoroughly, the chances of getting sick from eating them at that time increase.

Even if stored improperly, there is less chance of food poisoning from lentils than from improperly stored poultry, meat, or dairy products. However, cooked lentils are more likely to be colonized by dangerous bacteria than dried ones.

What is the serving size of lentils?

Serving size can vary by manufacturer, and this criterion is used more often as a marketing tool than a healthy recommendation.

For example, Food to Live suggests a 1-ounce serving of their French Green Lentils (Dry), which allows them to market their package as having 48 servings per 3-pound package.

In contrast, Ziyad Gourmet Red Lentils only have 8 servings in their 2-pound bag, because their suggested serving size is ¼ cup of dried lentils.

Serving size should be planned based on what’s going to be in your meal and your calorie and nutritional goals, not what’s printed on the package. In this sense, the size of the portion will vary per person.

As an example, 1 cup of cooked lentils contains approximately 200 calories, which includes just over 17 grams of protein and 38 grams of carbohydrates. With this information, you can tailor your meal to suit your individual needs.