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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love this lentil rec
Made this tonight. I did not have coriander so subbed with garam masala. Served it over a baked golden potato. I would prefer it a little more wet so maybe I’ll add some diced tomatoes. I like a little heat so thinking I might grill a jalapeno and add to the lentils in fine slices or dice next time I grill out. Will definitely make this again!
Jalapeno sounds like a wonderful addition!
I love this recipe!
My fav instant pot meal. Super easy and delicious.
I’ve made it many times and will continue to make it.
Serve with any style of rice or even just a salad.
The flavour is outstanding
These lentils were surprisingly delicious with lovely, smoky intensity. Made the recipe exactly as written, but might add fresh spinach next time. Served over roasted sweet potatoes and a side of sauteed green beans with tomatoes and shallots…what a delicious and healthy meal! Thank you! This recipe is definitely in our monthly rotation!
Couldn’t use substitute dark lentils if you just shortened the cooking time?
This was awesome and easy! I cut the liquid smoke and maple syrup down to 1 tsp each. Still amazingly flavourful! I also switched out the tomato paste for sugar-free ketchup. Love that it is oil-free! I served it over riced cauliflower. Thank you for the recipe!
If I could give this recipe 10 stars ⭐️’s, I WOULD. I stumbled upon this recipe when I googled “smoky lentil recipe.” And so glad I did. I absolutely love that the recipe is already oil free! I doubled the recipe to ensure plenty of leftovers, and it turned out exquisite! No joke… best smoky lentil recipe EVER. I bookmarked and will be making often! Thank you!!
These are SO GOOD, perfect for batch cooking, go with everything and I’m going to make more right now. I used French lentils, didn’t change anything else, worked great.
I am out of tomato paste! I know you said “Not sauce” in the ingredients, but what might happen if I did use it as a substitute? Should I put it on the stove and “reduce” it a little bit first?
Or, and I know this sounds crazy, would ketchup make for a better sub? It’s thicker than sauce.
what would you suggest?
Hi! You could try reducing it, not sure if it will deliver the same flavor, but you can try that!
I think these are the ultimate multipurpose lentils! I love that they are cooked in the pressure cooker as my lentils never fully cook on the stove. Although the flavor is definitely BBQ, we had them as tacos last night and I enjoyed leftovers over cauli rice for lunch. I think they’d be amazing over sweet potatoes too.
Just made this yesterday. Amazing. Simply delicious (I had it over quinoa). It did need to cook for more than 8 minutes, though.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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 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!
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.
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!!
Wonderful recipe!! And so healthy, too! Thank you for posting this! :o)
Thank you so much!!
Hi! Good is not the word here. Very, Very Good! is more appropriate, Delicious I absolutely love these. Thank You!
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!
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!
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!
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!