How to make lentils in the instant pot for a smoky savory recipe! These smoky lentils are vegan, so full of flavor, so delicious and high in protein. They are perfect over pasta, potatoes and served alongside veggies!
SMOKY VEGAN INSTANT POT LENTILS
I’m back with another vegan instant pot recipe, due to high demand. You have all loved the Vegan Instant Pot Curry, the Vegan Instant Pot Italian Pasta and the Cajun Pasta, so I know you will love these smoky lentils as well.
I cannot stop eating these smoky vegan instant pot lentils! I’m so serious when I say how incredibly delicious these are. I’m from Texas, I love smoky flavors and barbecue. Most of you know that by now, haha. So if you want to know how to cook lentils in the instant pot that are rich in flavor, smoky, slightly sweet and will make your whole house smell like a restaurant, then you will love these!
I love lentils because they are so neutral in flavor and will take on any type of flavor, seasonings or marinades you want to add to them. I also love how hearty, filling, high protein and low-fat they are. They are an incredible plant-based protein you want to have in your recipe planning.
The best part about cooking lentils in the instant pot is how quick they are ready to eat! They take much longer on the stove.
For this recipe, I used green lentils, which is what you will want to use here. Do not use red lentils, they will not have the same texture and would be mush and not have the wonderful hearty bite.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED
- Green lentils: Lentils are a wonderful source of healthy plant-based protein and have a wonderful hearty texture. Do not sub with red here, they would end up mushy.
- Low-sodium vegetable broth: Use a well-flavored one here, not a watery bland one. I love the Imagine brand, Pacific brand and
- Red onion
- Garlic: Or garlic powder
- Coriander
- Smoked paprika
- Liquid smoke
- Tomato paste
- Maple syrup: Adding just a touch of syrup seriously brings up the flavor in a wonderful well-balanced way. It compliments the savory notes well, so don’t omit. It’s a small amount that makes a big impact.
- Black pepper and salt
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN INSTANT POT LENTILS
Step 1: Add 1/2 cup water to the instant pot and press the sauté mode for 5 minutes. Add the onion and cook 5 minutes, add the garlic and cook another minute, stirring often.
Step 2: Add the tomato paste, a splash of water if needed and all of the spices. Stir constantly for a minute or so to toast the spices and tomato paste.
Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients and stir well. Seal the instant pot and press the “” button and select 8 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the instant pot to come to pressure before the 8 minutes begins, so please keep an eye on it so they are left in there for the correct amount of time.
Step 4: After the instant beeps that the 8 minutes are done cooking (or you are watching it), leave to sit for 10 minutes for firm lentils or 15 minutes if you like them really soft. I like 10 minutes. Release the remaining pressure and open the lid carefully. Stir the lentils around and serve immediately!
WAYS TO SERVE THESE SMOKY LENTILS
- TOAST: I love to eat these on toast for a delicious healthy savory breakfast loaded with plant-based protein.
- SWEET POTATO: They are great over a baked sweet potato.
- GRAINS AND VEGGIES: Alongside rice or veggies or any other grain you love.
- TACOS: They would be a great hearty filling for tacos, burritos or quesadillas, even!
MORE VEGAN LENTIL RECIPES
- Vegan Red Lentil Curry Soup
- BBQ Lentil Loaf
- Creamy Vegan Lentil Soup with Turmeric and Lemon
- 8 Ingredient Easy Vegan Lentil Soup
- Sweet Potato Lentil Soup
- Red Lentil Spinach Soup
- Pumpkin Red Lentil Chili
Vegan Instant Pot Lentils (Smoky and Savory!)
Ingredients
- 1/2 packed cup (80g) finely diced red onion
- 5 cloves garlic, minced (OR 2 teaspoons garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 4 tablespoons (60g) tomato paste (not sauce)
- 2 3/4 cups (660g) low sodium veggie broth (a well flavored one here, I like the Pacific or Imagine brands)
- 1 1/2 cups (280g) uncooked green lentils (do not use red here!), rinsed well
- 1 tablespoon (15g) liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon (20g) maple syrup or agave
- I use this scale.
- Instant pot I use.
Instructions
- Have all ingredients ready and measured, as this goes quickly.
- Add 1/2 cup water to the instant pot and press the sauté button set for 8 minutes. Once hot, add the onion and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook another minute, adding water if needed to prevent burning.
- Add the tomato paste, a splash of water if needed and all of the spices. Stir constantly for a minute or so to toast the spices and tomato paste.
- Add the broth, lentils, liquid smoke and maple syrup and stir really well to make sure the tomato paste mixture is thoroughly blended.
- Seal the instant pot and cook on high pressure by selecting either the "Pressure Cook or Manual" button and set the time for 8 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the instant pot to come to pressure before the 8 minutes begins, so please keep an eye on it so they are left in there for the correct amount of time.
- After the instant beeps that the 8 minutes are done cooking (or you are watching it), leave to sit for 10 minutes for firm lentils or 15 minutes if you like them really soft. I like 10 minutes. Release the remaining pressure and open the lid carefully. Stir the lentils around and serve immediately!
- See the post for ways to serve these!
Notes
- Step 1: To a large pot, add 1/2 cup water over medium heat and once hot, add the onion and sauté for 5-8 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add the garlic and cook another minute.
- Step 2: Add the spices, including the pepper and salt. NOT the tomato paste. Stir for about 1 minute to toast the spices.
- Step 3: Add the broth (3 cups), lentils, liquid smoke and syrup. Stir very well. Raise the heat to high. Once boiling, cover with a lid with it only slightly tilted to let a small bit of steam to escape. Lower the heat to low and simmer 20-30 minutes until they are tender to your liking. This can really vary depending on your stove, age of lentils, etc.
- Step 4: Once the lentils are at your desired texture, stir in the tomato paste and heat through a couple of minutes more. Taste and add any more salt, if needed, but it should taste perfect.
Nutrition
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This sounds great-I haven’t made lentils in the Instant Pot before. If I didn’t want to use the liquid smoke would you recommend simply leaving it out or would you replace it with something like vegan Worcestershire sauce? Thanks so much! 😊
I would leave it out and increase the smoked paprika to 1 tablespoon. The liquid smoke does add a significant authentic tasting smoke flavor that you can’t get from smoked paprika, so it will change the flavor for sure, but should still be delicious. I wouldn’t replace it with anything else! Let me know after you try them!
This sounds wonderful – I’m going to try it! What brand of liquid smoke do you recommend? I have never used it.
Thanks so much.
Hi Lana! I used the Lazy Kettle brand, but the one I linked on the recipe card would work too. I’ve used that one before also and is found online or most grocery stores. Let me know after you try them!
I have not made this recipe but can see by the ingredients it will be terrific. And many thanks for Instant Pot recipes. PLEASE keep them coming! I bought one to make seitan in and fell in love with this appliance. Only way to cook so many recipes. THANK YOU! Will let you know how it comes out when I make this. Love the idea of eating it on toast.
Sounds wonderful Deb! Thank you so much and will definitely keep them coming!
Will this fit on a 6qt IP?
Yes, that should work fine, it’s not a really large amount!
This looks delicious! Unfortunately, I don’t have an instant pot – it’s probably the only kitchen appliance I have yet to acquire – so do you have a version for making this recipe in a Crock Pot or on the stove? Thank you!
Hi Steve! It’s listed on the recipe card under NOTES. Refresh your browser to see it. It was posted yesterday. 😊
This is delicious. Have only used my Insta Pot twice, but followed your instructions to the letter and had no problems. Will keep on hand for quick lunches and will be in our taco Tuesday rotation for sure.
So happy you loved this recipe, thanks so much Rita for making them!
I love lentils and the Instant Pot is my favorite way to prepare meals, so this was a no brainer to try right away! I made the lentils in one IP while wild rice was cooking in the other. I paired with steamed broccoli. Perfect meal! Great flavor — I am going to try it on toast as you suggested for lunch tomorrow, yum!
Yay, fabulous pairings Nina! Thank you so much for making it and leaving a review!
I made this for dinner tonight and served it on sourdough bread with a big side of roasted veggies. These lentils filled out house with an amazing smell. I rate these a 5 because I will be putting these in my regular dinner rotation!
So thrilled these were such a hit, Jessica! Sourdough bread sounds like such an amazing idea!!
Loved this recipe. Easy to make and very yummy. I served it on a baked sweet potato as suggested.
So glad you loved this recipe, thank you for making them Kathleen! I ate the same exact thing for lunch today, haha!
I love lentils. I made this in my instant pot and it was SO DELICIOUS! Thanks for the great recipe. Will definitely add this to my regular rotation.
That’s so amazing to hear Chris, thank you!
These are absolutely delicious and so easy!
I have brown lentils. Do you suggest I pick up some green lentils instead of using the brown?
Brown should be fine!
I made this recipe a few days ago and really enjoyed it. Thank you!
OMG Brandi! When I saw this posted I was so excited to try it! I just opened the IP and gave it a taste. So delicious!! Can’t wait to eat these this week. Thank you for all of your fabulous recipes. If anyone asks me for a good source for vegan recipes I always tell them about you!
That’s so wonderful to hear!!
These were a big hit! Thanks Brandi.
Yay, love hearing it, Sue! Thank you, as always, for your feedback!
Just made this! Easy! Added fine diced carrots and celery with the onion. We scooped it up with chips for lunch! THANK YOU!
Oooh that sounds yummy!!
YUM! This was delicious! I enjoyed the lentils over a sweet potato. So easy. Will make often!
Yay, so glad to hear it Valerie!
So easy and so delicious! Made this tonight for dinner and can’t wait to have the leftovers tomorrow for lunch!! Piled them on a sweet potato atop a bed of spinach. Used some of the lemon juice to message the fresh spinach with. Oh man!
Hi John! I’m so thrilled to hear how much you loved this recipe, thanks so much for the review and for making them! And funny, I ate EXACTLY the same for lunch, haha. I do a sweet potato, tons of cooked spinach and these lentils, my fave way to eat them!
Made the stove top version of this recipe- it’s so good! I put a little more sweetener (date paste) to make it sweeter which is just my personal preference. I ate this “Buddha bowl” style with some quinoa and shredded cabbage and kale with a lemon vinaigrette – my new favorite combo! I will definitely be making this again. I could see people enjoying this sloppy joe style on a soft bun – yum!
So happy you loved these lentils, thank you Emma!
This is a delicious recipe. I put a cup of the hot beans over 2 cups of fresh spinach and wilted them and it was wonderful!
I made this recipe using the stove top recipe. I’m new to lentils, so I cooked them until most of the liquid was absorbed (which was longer than the recipe said). Delicious. I baked a sweet potato which I chopped up and mixed with the lentils for a wonderful sweet/ smoky combination.
After several bites, I remembered I had avocado so I chopped some of that as well, because who doesn’t love avocado? Added a nice creamy texture to the dish.
Avocado sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing Rachel!
This is delicious! It reminds me of a healthier version of baked beans.
I knew i will love it just based on the ingredients alone. I love lentils in instapot but never tried adding liquid smoke and it was the touch that took it to the next level. I also added a little turmeric and a chopped up kale. Loved it. Thank you for another great recipe.
loved this as did my husband who is not a vegan/vegetarian! I would like to subscribe to your email list but the subscribe page does not give a ‘click’ link to do this? Could you add me perhaps or send me a link that works? Thanks very much – I am keen to try out more of your receipes
I’ll add you to my list, thank you Catherine!
Hi Brandi
This recipe looks delicious! What is a serving size? I have to.keep track of how much protein I consume. Thanks.
I’d say about 3/4 cup.
Helloooo Flavor Town! Brandi these are so incredible!
Ate them with rice and a few spoonfulls of sauerkraut on top..so good!
I’m so happy you loved these Emily! Thank you!
I just made this and it’s so good! I was excited to try it partially due to the instant pot directions (the other reason is that I love lentils). I ended up trying the stove top method first because I happened to be using my instant pot for something else at the time. I look forward to trying the instant pot method another time as this will be in the regular rotation for me. Thanks for a great recipe!
I’m so happy you loved it Jody!
whoa. i just made this. it’s outstanding. it sounded like too much liquid smoke and not enough spice, and I almost added bell pepper and dried porcini mushrooms at the last second — because it just didn’t seem like enough ingredients to be tasty. dare I say it was too “easy.” i was wrong. very, very wrong. this is perfection. well done.
That is so wonderful to hear Brenda!! SO glad you trusted my recipe, haha. I always love to show that recipes can be so simple and not too many ingredients, but always deliver on flavor!
This recipe just sounded so heart warming. It was raining today and I needed comfort food.
My husband loved them just as much as I did, and I’m sharing with my vegetarian daughter.
I love so many of your creations. Thank you!
Yay, so happy to hear you and your husband loved these, thank you Sheryll!
Hi! Good is not the word here. Very, Very Good! is more appropriate, Delicious I absolutely love these. Thank You!
Wonderful recipe!! And so healthy, too! Thank you for posting this! :o)
Thank you so much!!
I love this recipe! I have made it several times now, and keep doubling the recipe so I can freeze small containers for easy to make meals mid-week. The liquid smoke gives the perfect smoky flavor along with the smoked paprika. I usually serve it over quinoa with avocado and some pumpkin seeds for a little crunch. Thank you!!
Fantastic! First time using my Instapot and these turned out great. I thought I followed the recipe exactly but my lentils still were a little softer than I would have preferred. I’ll try to reduce the sit time to 7-8 minutes next time. Thanks for a yummy new recipe.
This recipe is fantastic! It was super easy to make and really delicious. I served it over rice with some sauteed cabbage and even my mother in law liked it! (She can be picky lol). I also tried it on some toast with margarine, and that was AMAZING, such a yummy breakfast. When I make it again I might add slightly less liquid smoke as my fiance found it a little too smokey, but this recipe is 100% a keeper. Thanks!
Oh, I love your ideas! So glad it was a hit!
Omg this is fantastic! Just made this and it’s delicious! I’ve been struggling with an easy delicious lentil recipe and this checks all of the boxes! This will go on our regular rotation!
Yay, glad to hear that Elizabeth!
This recipe is perfect. I used stove top method and added BBQ sauce at end instead of tomato paste because that’s what I had and they tasted amazing. Thank you for the recipe!
I really enjoyed this recipe. I was looking for a vegan lentil recipe and this one popped up! Since I’m not too fond of coriander, I substituted garam masala and reduced the garlic powder to 1 tsp. It was so flavorful and perfect over a baked sweet potato. I’m excited to use the rest in some of the ways you suggested. Thanks so much.
Brandi, I have never said these words about lentils before, until I made this dish for my lunch today: these lentils are delicious! SUCH great flavor, and so easy to make! I served them alongside a roasted sweet potato and steamed, fresh green beans. I’m going to use them for taco filling this week as well. These are definitely going in my regular rotation!
This recipe is great. I made it on the stovetop, and it was so quick and easy. I only used half of the tomato paste, because we really liked the flavor without, too and couldn’t decide, haha! I had a head of kale that had gone a little too soft for a salad and I thought I was going to have to toss it, but I cut it up and stirred it into the lentils and it was perfect. Definitely a keeper for this family!
Just made this yesterday. Amazing. Simply delicious (I had it over quinoa). It did need to cook for more than 8 minutes, though.