This easy One Pot Brown Lentil Rice makes an amazing, filling dinner. It is a quick, simple, and healthy one-pot meal.
There are several ways to make rice (such as Jollof Rice, Jamaican Rice, And Pigeon Peas, Rice Pilau, Vegan Dirty Rice, Jamaican Rice And Peas, etc.), but this recipe gives you a really easy and quick way to make delicious rice that requires very little time.
As you all know, I love using brown lentils in my recipes such as Vegan Shepherd’s Pie, Vegan Bolognese, Coconut Lentil Curry (Jamaican Style), and Vegan Lentil Stew. With this One Pot Brown Lentil Rice recipe, you can make something very tasty without much work.
One Pot Brown Lentil Rice is a healthy and hearty dish that you can make in under 40 minutes! It has the flavor of brown lentils, and rice with just a hint of spices, onion, and garlic.

Why You’ll Like This Recipe Work?
Rice and lentils have the ideal texture. I combined Instant Pot rice and Instant Pot lentils into a simple one-pot dinner rather than cooking them separately.
- I regularly make this recipe because it only calls for a few basic ingredients and has a substantial amount of flavor. It’s a great dish that is both filling and incredibly simple to prepare in a hurry.
- This can easily stand in for the main course or as a side dish.
- The flavor goes well with almost any main entree.
- Making this in a single pot makes cleanup simple.
- It is free of nuts, soy, and gluten.
- It’s delicious and satisfying.
As always, I suggest you read the complete article for useful information included in the blurb. However, you can find the detailed recipe with exact ingredients and step-by-step instructions below.
Is Brown Lentil Healthy?
Brown lentils, also known as masoor dal, are a nutrient-dense food with a long list of health benefits. A cup of brown lentils contains 230 calories, 15 grams of fiber, and 17 grams of protein. Undoubtedly, a single bowl of brown lentils can satisfy the dietary and nutritional needs of a whole meal. It has numerous good effects on health and the body.
Here are some health benefits of brown lentils:
Lowers Cholesterol and Protects The Heart.
Brown lentil contains a significant amount of dietary fiber, the brown lentil has the potential to significantly reduce the body’s cholesterol levels. It may also assist the body to eliminate excess cholesterol. This will increase blood flow and lower the risk of developing any form of heart disease.
Helps To Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels.
Again, it contains a lot of dietary fiber. It has a low glycemic index and slows down how quickly blood is absorbed from food in the small intestine. As a result, it effectively slows digestion and avoids rapid or unexpected increases in blood sugar levels. Therefore, persons with sugar issues, diabetes, and low insulin production should regularly consume it.
Age-Reversing Qualities.
Brown lentil is high in antioxidants, which may help to decrease cell damage. Its high vitamin content tends to strengthen the immune system, making it a potent anti-aging meal. It might help in keeping your skin looking young and healthy. Brown lentils can be applied to the skin directly in addition to being consumed.
Beneficial For Maintaining Good Vision.
In addition to the nutritional benefits listed above, brown lentil is a good source of vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are crucial for preserving clear vision and good eyesight. You could avoid eye conditions like cataracts and muscle deterioration by consuming 1 cup of brown lentils daily.
Nourishes The Bones And Teeth.
The vitamin and nutrient-rich brown lentil is a great source of calcium and magnesium, two minerals that are vital for strong bones and teeth. You must consume it regularly and in sufficient quantity to experience all of its health benefits.
Lower Cancer Risk.
Brown lentils can lessen cancer risk. This is mostly due to lentils’ high fiber and folate content, which is what provides this food its anti-cancer qualities.
You can lower your risk of developing several different cancers, including bowel, breast, colon, and lung cancer, by regularly ingesting lentils. It also helps to prevent colon cancer by speeding up digestion and reducing the requirement for digestive biles.
Good For Weight-Loss
The most important component of the majority of diets for weight loss is brown lentils. It is low in fat content and has just the right number of carbohydrates to make you feel satisfied. Because it contains a lot of fiber, it slows down digestion, which increases its ability to help you lose weight. A single serving of brown lentils provides all the vital vitamins, proteins, and other nutrients you need for a well-balanced diet.

Ingredients
- Rice: My preferred types of rice are brown basmati or whole-grain brown rice.
- Whole brown Lentils: This recipe calls for brown lentils, but you may also use green or black lentils.
- Avocado oil: Making delicious and healthy recipes is made easy using avocado oil. It is abundant in vitamins, vital fatty acids, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Onion: Both red and yellow onions work well.
- Tomatoes: I used freshly chopped Roma tomatoes.
- Green chilies: I used one Thai green chili, but you can omit to do so if you want.
- Vegan yogurt: I use vegan coconut yogurt, but any vegan yogurt will work.
- Salt: In order to increase flavor, salt is the most important ingredient. Your rice won’t taste very good if your rice isn’t sufficiently seasoned. Pink Himalayan salt is what I use.
- Coriander powder: Coriander powder adds the perfect aroma!
- Garam masala: This is a powder blend of all the dry spices that can be found in any Indian grocery store.
- Turmeric powder: Adds a robust flavor and a bright yellow color.
- Cumin Seed: Do not omit the cumin seeds (jeera), which are a necessary component of any Pakistani recipe.
- Bay leaf: Aromatic spice that is essential for rice, pulao, and biryani.
How To Make One Pot Brown Lentil Rice?
- Wash and soak rice and whole brown lentils for at least an hour.
- In a pan, heat some oil and add cumin seeds and bay leaf. Cook until the cumin seeds crackle.
- After the dry spices fry a bit, add in sliced onions, and fry until lightly golden.
- Add in the chopped tomato and vegan yogurt, and stir.
- Now add in all the spices, red chili flakes, turmeric, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt.
- Mix all the spices and add soaked lentils and rice.
- Add in water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to the lowest heat setting to simmer, cover and seal the pot first with a piece of parchment paper to fit the circumference of the pot, then place the pot cover to seal. Be careful that the edges of the paper are not hanging over the edge of the pot.
- Cook lentil rice for about 50 minutes or until the rice is tender.
Serving Suggestions
This one-pot lentil rice recipe is warm, comforting, and hearty. It is best served with some salad and yogurt sauce.

How To Store Brown Lentils Rice?
This dish can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If kept for a long time, it may spoil or turn sour due to the fat’s rancidity (of coconut yogurt).
If preserved in an airtight container, this meal can be frozen for up to a month.
Variations
- Change the type of rice you use; using different kinds of rice can change the texture and taste. You can also use, jasmine rice, and black rice. Experiment and have fun with it.
- Add mouthwatering toppings – This recipe already has a lot of taste, but toppings are always a good idea. Although fresh coriander is a fantastic option, keep in mind that toppings are mostly chosen for their flavor. You can add some spices, such as hot sauce, as well as a small amount of sour cream as a topping.
How To Cook Brown Jasmine Rice
Chef’s Note
- Before serving, use a fork to fluff the rice.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need To Presoak The Whole brown lentil And Rice?
Although it is not mandatory to soak them prior to cooking. However, soaking doesn’t hinder and actually helps because it shortens the cooking time. 30 minutes are OK if you have the time—3 to 4 hours is optimal. If not, there is no need to worry.
Are Lentils Good For Your Gut?
Yes, eating lentils is good for your gut health. Because they contain more fiber than most foods, they are excellent for helping to regulate your days.
Can You Eat Cold Rice And Lentils?
Yes, lentils and rice can be eaten hot or cold. This one Pot meal is one that I prefer to consume both immediately after cooking it and later, cold, as leftovers.
If you want to eat it warm, you can quickly reheat it in the microwave.
Can I Substitute The Masoor Lentils With Another Lentil?
This rice recipe is also delicious when made with other split lentils, such as chickpea lentils or toor lentils. However, using a different lentil will significantly change the texture and flavor.

If you like and enjoy this recipe, please leave a comment to let me know your feedback. Have fun cooking!
If you enjoyed this post, “One Pot Brown Lentil Rice”, and would love to see more, join me on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter!
Get discounted copies of my cookbook here.
Fortunately, because of the Ads on our website, readers and subscribers of Healthier Steps are sponsoring many underprivileged families.
Categories
- Categories: Gluten-Free, Vegan
- Courses: Entrée, Main Course
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Nutrition
(Per serving)- Energy: 307 kcal / 1283 kJ
- Fat: 2.7 g
- Protein: 6.3 g
- Carbs: 62.8 g
Cook Time
- Preparation: 1 h 15 min
- Cooking: 28 min
- Ready in: 1 h 43 min
- For: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups brown long grain rice
- 1 cup brown lentils
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 onion, medium
- 1 tomato, Medium
- 1 green chilli, sliced or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 tablespoons vegan yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 1 1/2 salt or, to taste
Instructions
- Wash and soak rice and whole brown lentils for at least an hour.
- In a pan, heat some oil and add cumin seeds and bay leaf.
- After the dry spices fry a bit, add in sliced onions, and fry until lightly golden.
- Add in the chopped tomato, chili, and vegan yogurt, and stir.
- Now add in all the spices, turmeric, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt.
- Mix all the spices and add soaked lentils and rice.
- Add in water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to the lowest heat setting to simmer, cover and seal the pot first with a piece of parchment paper to fit the circumference of the pot, then place the pot cover to seal. Be careful that the edges of the paper are not hanging over the edge of the pot.
- Cook lentil rice for about 50 minutes or until the rice is tender.
Thank you for sharing this post
Delicious! I used white pandan rice so it got a bit mushy, but we really didn’t mind and the flavours were great. I’m not a rice lover but I loved this recipe, so this will be on a regular rotation now!