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Lentils

A food to know · Plant-based

# Lentils

Lentils are the lens-shaped seeds of an annual legume. They are sold dried, whole or split.

Source: [Wikipedia, “Lentil” ↗](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentil)

Everyday staple

## Ways to use it

Stews and soups, which is where lentils are most often used.

Source: [Wikipedia, “Lentil” ↗](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentil)

Dal: split lentils cooked into a thick curry.

Source: [Wikipedia, “Lentil” ↗](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentil)

Mujaddara: lentils cooked with rice.

Source: [Wikipedia, “Lentil” ↗](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentil)

These are ways people cook this food, as our sources describe them. We have not tested a recipe.

## Effort

Dried lentils go into the pot without soaking. Cooking time is not known here: it varies with the kind of lentil.

Source: [Global Pulse Confederation, “Cooking with pulses” ↗](https://pulses.org/recipes/cooking-with-pulses); [Wikipedia, “Lentil” ↗](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentil)

Price

Not known. We hold no dated price for this food.

Where to find it

Not checked for the food itself. A branded product below shows “Where to find it” when a shop has reported it.

## Allergens

Health Canada's list of priority food allergens does not name lentils. A packaged product can hold other ingredients, so read its label.

Source: [Health Canada, “Common food allergens” ↗](https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-safety/food-allergies-intolerances/food-allergies.html)

These are facts about what this food is made from. They are not a promise about any package. Read the label of the food you buy.

## Try it next

Try red lentils in a soup or a dal. They need no soaking.

Source: [Global Pulse Confederation, “Cooking with pulses” ↗](https://pulses.org/recipes/cooking-with-pulses); [Wikipedia, “Lentil” ↗](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentil)

## Branded lentils we list

We list no branded lentils yet. You do not need a brand to cook with it.

Curiosity, with a little care

## Sources

[Wikipedia, “Lentil” ↗](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentil)Read 22 September 2026

[Global Pulse Confederation, “Cooking with pulses” ↗](https://pulses.org/recipes/cooking-with-pulses)Read 22 September 2026

[Health Canada, “Common food allergens” ↗](https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-safety/food-allergies-intolerances/food-allergies.html)Read 22 September 2026

This page describes a food, not a product. It makes no claim about health, price or stock.

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