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This simple braised French Lentils recipe is incredibly nourishing and comforting! A delicious, healthy side dish that pairs well with many things! Video.
Here’s an easy, classic recipe for French Lentils cooked with onion, celery, carrot, stock, and thyme that is so savory and delicious, that you’ll want to make this on repeat. We originally paired these lentils with this lovely salmon recipe, but found it pairs with many other things too!
What I love about this recipe is that the lentils can be repurposed during the week into different meals. Leftovers can be turned into a salad with fresh greens & veggies and a dressing, or added to soups and stews. For more lentil recipes, peek at our 30 Amazing Lentil Recipes!
Why You’ll Love This!
- So versatile! These French lentils can be added to any protein to create a full meal, and they are delicious when added to salads, bowls, soups, spread over crusty bread, or enjoyed for brunch!
- Incredibly nutritious. French green lentils are an excellent source of fiber, they are vegan, naturally gluten-free, and they’re high in protein. These lentils are also rich in iron.
- Comforting and flavorful. Because they are rich in protein and iron, these lentils are incredibly satiating. Cooked with a mirepoix, wine, stock, and herbs, the lentils are full of complex and aromatic flavor.
- Just as comforting to make. Not only will your house smell amazing while braising these lentils, but taking something from scratch and bringing them to life can be an incredibly soul-nourishing experience too.
What type of lentil to use
Here, we’re using French Green Lentils (lentilles du puy), originating from Provence, in central France. However, any small lentil, like black lentils or beluga lentils, will work well here too.
Ingredients in French LentilS
- Olive oil: Adds richness and a subtle fruity flavor to the lentils.
- Onion: Provides a sweet and savory flavor base to the lentils. You can use leek if you prefer.
- Celery: Adds a refreshing and slightly earthy flavor, providing depth to the lentils. Fennel bulb can be used instead.
- Carrot: Contribute a natural sweetness to the braised lentils, enhancing the overall flavor profile. Beet is an alternative and tasty option!
- Garlic cloves: Adds a pungent and aromatic flavor, enhancing the savory notes of the lentils.
- French Green Lentils (Le Puy): Provide a nutty and earthy flavor. French Green Lentils in particular have a mild and peppery taste. You can also use small black lentils (beluga, caviar, etc.).
- Sherry wine, red wine, white wine, or marsala wine: Adds subtle acidity, complexity and depth to the lentils, elevating the overall flavor profile. You can substitute the wine with a teaspoon of red wine vinegar at the end if you wish.
- Veggie or chicken stock: Infuses the lentils with savory notes, enhancing their overall taste. You can sub water or a bouillon cube. Vegetable broth or chicken broth work fine here too.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients, balancing the taste of the lentils.
- Mustard (optional): Adds a tangy and slightly spicy flavor, complementing the other ingredients in the lentils. Use whole grain or dijon.
- Fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried): Contributes an earthy and aromatic flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the lentils.
- Bay leaves: Add a subtle herbal flavor and aroma, infusing the lentils with a hint of complexity.
How to braise French lentils
For this recipe, you’ll need 1 1/2 cups of dry French green lentils (Le Puy) or black lentils (Beluga, caviar lentils). Large brown lentils will take much longer to cook than the recipe calls for and probably a little more liquid.
Step 1: Start with dicing the carrot, onion and celery. Roughly chop the garlic.
Step 2: Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery and carrots and stir 4-5 minutes, then turn down to medium heat. Cook 4-5 more minutes and add the garlic and lentils. Cook 2 minutes stirring.
Step 3: Add the garlic and lentils and sauté until the garlic is fragrant.
Step 4: Deglaze with Sherry, or wine of your choosing. Or you can leave this out and add a little red wine vinegar at the end. Let this cook-off, about 2 minutes.
Step 5: Pour in the stock, salt, and mustard and stir until combined and bring to a good simmer. Add the bay leaves and thyme sprigs, cover and gently simmer on low heat 25-30 minutes or until lentils are tender.
Step 6: When the lentils are tender, uncover and cook off any extra liquid (or feel free to drain). Remove the thyme sprigs, taste and adjust salt. Add some pepper if desired. A tiny little splash of red wine vinegar livens them up. Fresh parsley makes a lovely garnish.
The lentils will hold their shape beautifully and be a flavorful companion dish to whatever else you are serving.
Storage & Serving
Leftovers can be frozen for later use, or refrigerated for 5 days, and made into a lentil salad adding fresh veggies and a simple vinaigrette. Or make a lentil soup, or use them as the base of a bowl, or have them for breakfast, warmed on toast, with Sauteed Greens, a poached egg and a herby green sauce like gremolata! YUM. 😉
Keep in the fridge for 5-7 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
FAQs
There are many different types of lentils! French green lentils, or Le Puy lentils, hold their shape better than any other type of lentil. Because of how well they hold their shape, they’re great for adding texture to salads and soups. French lentils are also a bit more nutty and peppery than other lentils, with a subtle earthy flavor.
No. Unlike other beans, lentils do not need to soak before cooking. You should rinse and sift through them though in case there are any stones or other debris in your bag of lentils.
Braising lentils is an important process to infusing them with flavor. We cook them in stock instead of water to add more flavor, and start with a mirepoix base. Wine and herbs add more complexity to the dish too!
Health Benefits of French Green Lentils
French green lentils, also known as Le Puy lentils, offer several health benefits. Here are some of the reasons to love lentils!
- High in Fiber: French green lentils are an excellent source of dietary fiber. Fiber aids in digestion, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and promotes a feeling of fullness, which can support healthy weight management.
- Rich in Plant-Based Protein: Lentils are a great plant-based source of protein. They contain essential amino acids and can be a valuable protein option for vegetarians and vegans.
- Nutrient-Dense: French green lentils are packed with important vitamins and minerals. They are particularly rich in folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B6. They also are a good source of vitamin C and calcium. These nutrients support various bodily functions, including red blood cell production, energy metabolism, and heart health.
- Low in Fat: Lentils are naturally low in fat, making them a healthy choice for individuals looking to reduce their saturated fat intake.
- Gluten-Free: French green lentils are naturally gluten-free, making them an excellent alternative for those following a gluten-free diet or individuals with gluten sensitivities.
- Promotes Heart Health: Lentils have been linked to heart health. Their high fiber content and low glycemic index promote improved cholesterol levels, blood pressure regulation, and overall cardiovascular health.
More Favorite Lentil recipes!
Give these braised lentils a try and let us know what you think in the comments below!
xoxo,
Watch how to cook French Lentils! |video
Simple Braised French Lentils
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: legumes, side dish
- Method: braised, stovetop
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Simple Braised French Lentils – nourishing and comforting and a delicious healthy side dish that pairs well with so many things! Leftovers can be frozen, or repurposed into breakfast or into a salad!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, diced ( or sub 1 large leek)
- 1 cup diced celery (or fennel bulb)
- 1 cup diced carrot ( or beet!)
- 3–4 garlic cloves, rough chopped
- 1 1/2 cups dry French Green Lentils (Le Puy, or small black lentils– beluga, caviar, etc. )
- 1/4 cup sherry wine, red wine, white wine, marsala wine (or skip it and add 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar at the end)
- 4 cups veggie or chicken stock ( or water and 1 bouillon cubes)
- 1 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard- whole grain or dijon (optional)
- 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery and carrots and stir 4-5 minutes, then turn heat down to medium. Cook 4-5 more minutes and add the garlic and lentils. Cook 2 minutes stirring.
Add the wine. Let this cook-off, about 2 minutes.
Pour in the stock, salt, and mustard and stir until combined and bring to a good simmer. Add the bay leaves and thyme sprigs, cover and gently simmer on low heat 25-30 minutes or until lentils are tender.
When the lentils are tender, uncover and cook off any extra liquid ( or feel free to drain). Remove the thyme sprigs, taste and adjust salt. A tiny little splash of red wine vinegar livens them up.
Leftovers can be frozen for later use, or refrigerated and made into a salad the next day- adding fresh veggies and a simple vinaigrette. Or use for breakfast, warmed on toast, with Sauteed Greens, a poached egg and an herby green sauce like gremolata or Leek oil. YUM. 😉
Notes
Leftovers can be frozen for later use, or refrigerated and turned into a salad the next day- adding fresh veggies and a simple vinaigrette. Or use for breakfast, warmed on toast, with a poached egg and an herby green sauce like gremolata or Leek oil. YUM. 😉
These French green lentils were quite small- which allows them to cook quickly! Larger lentils may take longer to cook- check at 25, and add more liquid if need be.
I love the flavor of Sherry wine here- yes, it is kind of “old-school” but it adds a tasty complexity and subtle sweetness. Do not confuse this up with Sherry vinegar. 😉
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¾ cup
- Calories: 177
- Sugar: 2.5 g
- Sodium: 613.9 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 27.2 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 9.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: vegan lentils, French lentils, braised lentils, French lentil recipe, how to cook lentils, braised French lentils, lentil recipes,
Great recipe. Thank you!
Thanks Penny!
★★★★★
CLASSIC! ♥ Used a Savoie white wine, served smothered over skin-on mashed potatoes (with more garlic) … dinvine umami bomb of soooooo good comfort!
★★★★★
Perfect Kay!
My favorite lentil recipe! This with a simple arugula salad is a perfect meal. And bonus, the house smells so good when this is cooking.
★★★★★
So comforting aren’t they! Glad you are enjoying Heather.
My sister made this for a birthday dinner this weekend. It was the crowd favorite!
★★★★★
Great to hear Heather! Thanks so much!
I love French lentils and liked this recipe for not using tomatoes. I skipped the celery, used up some beet tops, added some paprika and finished with a little vinegar. Sometimes I will serve with lime wedge. My husband and I have been eating this for two days in various ways and it’s a winner. Thanks!
★★★★★
So happy you enjoyed it Mishi!
I have been making this dish for few years now and if you like lentils you will LOVE this dish!
★★★★★
Thanks Alex!
I’ve been cooking French lentils for decades. Your suggestions of adding fennel & sherry changed the flavor deliciously! I added sliced burdock root, which married beautifully with those flavors & made this super healthy dish even healthier. Thank you so much! I’m looking forward to exploring your other recipes.
★★★★★
Thanks so much Stephanie- glad you enjoyed these!
This is my favourite simple lentil recipe. I use two cups of lentils which gives eight portions. They are always in the freezer ready for a simple post work bolognese or cottage pie! Cheaper, healthier and much tastier than buying the ready made versions.
Thanks Laura!
Really great flavor and easy to pull together. Enjoying a warm bowl of them as I write this!
★★★★★
So happy you are enjoying Lisa!
Love this recipe. Turned out great. I have made it several times.
This time I omitted the salt and added chopped ham. Yummy
Glad you enjoyed this Penny!
Hi Sylvia…your recipes are my go-to! Always reliable, healthy and delicious. Your Simple Braised French Lentils are a mainstay. My husband, who has had to go vegan for health reasons, says they are his favorite! I make these lentils pretty much exactly as written. Fabulous! And freeze well also. Thank you so much!
Thanks Coralie!
Hi Sylvia, from a fellow half-Egyptian! I love your recipes! Can you let us know what kind of salt you use? I know some salts are more intense than others, might help me to calibrate 🙂
Hi Savannah- I used to use kosher salt, but about 5 years ago I switched to Real Salt- it’s a high-mineral salt that is finer than kosher salt. I have linked it throughout the blog. 😉
Hi Sylvia, I love your recipes! Can you let us know what kind of salt you use? I know some salts are more concentrated than others, so might help me calibrate 😉
I used to use kosher salt, but about 5 years ago I switched to Real Salt- it’s a high-mineral salt that is finer than kosher salt. I have linked it throughout the blog. 😉
I read somewhere that adding salt to lentils while cooking would prevent the lentils from ever softening. Have you heard this or experienced this?
I have heard this a lot too, but it doesn’t seem to be the case. I always salt my lentils, but do as you like Claudia!
Delicious and versatile. I love it with a dollop of hummus and a slab of buttered sourdough bread. I wanted more, so I increased to 2 cups of French green lentils and used the recipe to estimate proportions of water and other ingredients.
★★★★★
Yum, Crystal!
I just returned from Le Puy, France and fell in love with the lentils that are everywhere. So, in trying to recreate them at home, I found your recipe. It’s delicious! I love it – and will remember France when I make these. thanks!
thanks, Nancy! Love that you have a happy memory that will surround these.
Delicious! I followed directions exactly. There ended up being too much liquid but I drained, as suggested and saved the extra liquid as soup/broth….what flavor! Thank you for this amazing recipe.
Thanks Kathleen!
I have made this a few times and absolutely love it. Like one other reviewer, I found I need to reduce the liquid, and I use the French green lentils. I typically make it with fennel and red wine, but am trying it with celery since I have a large bag. It is hard to stop eating this…even though I should sometimes : )
★★★★★
thanks so much!
Have made this recipe many times. It is a favourite. Serve it with marinated deboned leg of lamb.
Sounds perfect Madeleine!
This recipe was almost obnoxiously perfect (and found the salt amount perfect as written, although that can depend on the stock you’re using and is definitely a matter of taste; always easier to add than to remove, but a trick for the salt-averse who overdid it: pop a potato in there, and that will sponge some of that salt out).
I admit to being unfairly prejudiced against lentils and tend to go into cooking with them with low expectations, but have found a few recipes now starring them that have proven me wrong and become favorites; this is another one (with your gremolata recipe as suggested, and going to try your sautéed greens recipe with the leftovers next). Thank you!
★★★★★
Thanks so much! Love the potato tip- do you add raw?
Yes, just raw and peeled! Discovered that tip when I overdid salting a soup; using a little osmosis made it salvageable (and not a chore to eat).
That is such a great tip! I will try it!
I found it far too salty
★★
Oh shoot- sorry about that.
These were delicious. I questioned the conversion for the 4 cup stock (1L in UK). Thought it would be way too much so I simmered without covering for the whole time and still has to cook for half an hour over the suggested time. Next time
I’ll reduce the stock by 50% but otherwise a great recipe! Thanks!
Hi David, what type of lentils did you use?
Great recipe. Made it without oil. Very fragrant!!
★★★★★
Happy you enjoyed this Rick!
I make this recipe often and crave it. One of my very favorites. I really love this as a side, especially with Salmon or chicken, and like it for breakfast as you mentioned as well.
★★★★★
Great to hear Frances!