13 Lentil Recipes That Will Take You Around the World

A bowl of lentils with roasted tomatoes with Dukka-crumbed egg — Serious Eats / Laura Edwards

Lentils are a universally beloved pantry staple. Whether a singular star ingredient or combined with other components in a dish, there is no denying the importance of this nutritional powerhouse in many cultures. Lentils are prominently featured in traditional dal, blended with rice for South Indian crepe batter, stewed with meat and vegetables for hearty one-pot meals, tossed with vegetables, fruit, and herbs in salads, and provide the foundation for countless soups. These recipes will take you on a tour across the globe, featuring perhaps the world’s most beloved legume.

Easy French Lentils With Garlic and Herbs

A bowl of French lentils with carrot, celery, onion, garlic and herbs — Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Cooking lentils properly and layering in flavors adds complexity to a deceptively simple French classic.

Roasted Eggplant With Tahini, Pine Nuts, and Lentils

Overhead shot of a serving bowl of roasted eggplant on a bed of lentil stew topped with cream tahini, toasted pine nuts, and chopped herbs — Serious Eats / J. Kenji López-Alt

Tender caramelized roasted eggplant is served on a bed of savory lentil stew, and lavished with a creamy garlic tahini sauce and crunchy toasted pine nuts.

Roasted Tomatoes and Lentils With Dukka-Crumbed Eggs

Dressed lentils, harissa roasted tomatoes, and soft-cooked egg crumbed in dukka, in a bowl — Serious Eats / Laura Edwards

Lentils dressed in a tangy vinaigrette and roasted tomatoes smeared with harissa are topped with a soft-cooked egg crusted in dukka, a traditional Egyptian spice blend of toasted nuts and seeds.

Bengali Rice Porridge With Lentils and Chicken

This chicken-potato-red lentil porridge is bright with turmeric and seasoned with ginger, a pungent hit of mustard oil, and a garnish of spicy green chutney.

Dosa (Indian Rice-and-Lentil Crepes)

Dosa formed into a roll with a metal spatula on a plate — Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Made from rice and urad dal, this quintessentially South Indian savory crepe can be served with any number of fillings or accouterments. Double fermentation gives this batter its signature sourdough-like tang and light, crisp, and chewy texture.

Dal Tadka

Rich and poor, festival fare or frugal meal, dal is the great leveler of Indian food and is a dish that’s common across the extreme diversity of the country.

Moroccan Egg Drop Harira (Vegetable and Legume Soup)

Overhead view of egg drop Harira — Serious Eats / Jen Causey

Harira is nutrient-dense soup that’s enjoyed across Morocco, particularly during Ramadan when it’s often served to break the fast. This version is made with both lentils and chickpeas and finished with beaten eggs which form little wispy egg bits in the silken soup.

Easy Lentil Soup

A bowl of lentil soup garnished with chopped herbs and gremolata — Serious Eats / J. Kenji López-Alt

Lemon zest, garlic, and parsley are the secret to simple, but ultra-flavorful, lentil soup.

Mulligatawny Soup

Although there are many variations of this popular Anglo-Indian soup, lentils, toasted spices, and sweetness are key elements in this version.

Smoky Lentil Salad With Zucchini and Poblano Peppers

Lentils seasoned with smoked paprika and cumin get an extra hit of spice from poblano peppers. Tossed with grilled or broiled zucchini, this robust salad makes for an ideal potluck dish to feed a crowd.

Bright Lentil Salad With Apples, Fennel, and Herbs

Lentil salad with diced apple, fennel, and tomato with herbs — Serious Eats / Kerry Saretsky

Kerry Saretsky’s take on her favorite go-to dish from London’s La Petite Maison transforms seemingly ordinary ingredients into a sophisticated salad.

Cumin-Scented Lentils With Sausage and Dandelion Greens

A bowl of cumin-scented lentils with sliced link sausage topped with dandelion greens — Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

The secret to building a deep flavor base for this simple one-pot meal of saucy lentils and sausage is cumin seeds bloomed in hot oil.

Pressure Cooker Chicken, Lentil, and Bacon Stew With Carrots

Aside from a quick sauté of pancetta and onions, this rich, flavorful stew of fall-off-the-bone tender chicken, lentils, and carrots comes together in just about 30 minutes—perfect weeknight meal.