Name: Black Lentils Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 5 Servings
Cuisine: American

Balancing Bowls Verified

January 30, 2026

These little gems have a special place in my heart and on my plate. They're in a league of their own. One of the reasons why black lentils have captured my affection is their unique texture. When cooked to perfection, they become tender yet wonderfully toothsome. Unlike their red or green counterparts, black lentils boast a thicker skin that allows them to hold their shape beautifully. It's like they were designed to add a touch of elegance to any dish they grace.

From the Cook

1/9

Black Lentils Recipe

Balancing Bowls Verified

Ingredients

WarningMilk and 6 other allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a drizzle of oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery to the pot and sauté them until they become fragrant and slightly softened, usually around 5 minutes.

Once the vegetables have softened, add the rinsed black lentils to the pot. Stir them together with the vegetables, ensuring they are evenly distributed. Pour in the 3 ½ cups of broth, whether chicken or vegetable, to cover the lentils and vegetables. Drop in the bay leaf and the sprigs of thyme and oregano.

Bring the pot to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the lentils to cook for approximately 20-30 minutes or until they reach the desired level of tenderness.

Remove the pot from heat. Discard the bay leaf and thyme sprigs.

Stir in a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Lentil Sorting Magic 🧐
Always sort and rinse black lentils before cooking to remove any small stones or debris, ensuring a pristine final dish.
Liquid Ratio Perfection 💧
Use a 3:1 liquid-to-lentil ratio for perfectly tender black lentils that maintain their signature toothsome texture.
Aromatic Base Layering 🧅
Sauté your mirepoix (onions, carrots, celery) until they're deeply caramelized to build a rich, complex flavor foundation for the lentils.
Bay Leaf Brilliance 🍃
Add the bay leaf early in the cooking process and remove it just before serving to impart a subtle, sophisticated depth of flavor.
Balsamic Finishing Flourish 🥄
Drizzle high-quality balsamic vinegar just before serving to add a bright, tangy complexity that elevates the entire dish.

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About the Cook

Balancing Bowls

I'm Nora! Balancing Bowls is the product of a slightly chaotic life, a need to make and grow things, and a love of creative cooking. If you're here because you're trying to feed your family well without losing your mind, you're in the right place.