Can You Freeze Cooked Lentils?
Lentils are one of those foods where it’s really easy to cook far too much. If you’ve ended up with extra, you might be wondering whether you can freeze cooked lentils instead of letting them go to waste.
The good news is that you absolutely can. I often freeze leftovers because they’re perfect for adding to soups, curries and stews on busy days.
If you’re looking for more ways to reduce food waste, don’t forget to visit my Freezing Food Hub, where you’ll find all of my freezing guides in one place.
Can You Freeze Cooked Lentils?
Yes, cooked lentils freeze really well.
Whether you’ve cooked red lentils, green lentils, brown lentils or Puy lentils, they can all be frozen successfully. You can freeze them on their own or as part of another dish such as soup, curry or casserole.
Freezing cooked lentils is a great way to save both time and money. I often cook a much bigger batch than I need, then freeze the extra in meal-sized portions ready to use another day.
Buying dried lentils and cooking them yourself is also much cheaper than buying ready-cooked pouches or tins.
Can You Freeze Canned Lentils?
Yes. Once opened, canned lentils can be frozen if you don’t think you’ll use the rest within a few days.
Drain and rinse them first, allow them to dry well, then freeze in small portions.
Can You Freeze Different Types of Cooked Lentils?
Yes. All common varieties freeze well, including:
- cooked red lentils
- cooked green lentils
- cooked brown lentils
- cooked Puy lentils
- cooked black lentils
The texture may soften slightly after freezing, particularly with red lentils, but they’re still perfect for soups, curries, dhal and stews.
How To Freeze Cooked Lentils
Freezing cooked lentils is very straightforward.
I recommend freezing them in portions that you’ll realistically use in one meal. Smaller portions also freeze and defrost more quickly.
- Allow the cooked lentils to cool completely.
- Drain away any excess liquid.
- Divide into meal-sized portions.
- Place into freezer bags, airtight containers or freezer-safe glass jars.
- Label and date before placing into the freezer.
How Long Do Cooked Lentils Last In The Freezer?
Cooked lentils keep well in the freezer for up to 6 months.
They’ll still be safe after this if they’ve remained frozen, but the texture may become softer and they may lose some flavour over time.
How To Defrost Cooked Lentils
The safest way to thaw cooked lentils is overnight in the fridge.
If you’re short on time, you can also use your microwave’s defrost setting.
For soups, stews and curries, you can often skip defrosting altogether and simply stir the frozen lentils straight into the hot dish.
How To Reheat Cooked Lentils
Cooked lentils are easy to reheat.
You can:
- microwave them
- heat them in a saucepan
- stir them straight into soups, curries or casseroles
Always make sure they are piping hot before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you freeze cooked red lentils?
Yes. Cooked red lentils freeze well, although they become a little softer after thawing because they’re naturally quite delicate.
Can you freeze cooked green lentils?
Yes. Green lentils hold their shape better than red lentils and freeze extremely well.
Can you freeze lentil curry?
Yes. Lentil curry freezes brilliantly and makes an excellent batch-cooking meal.
Can you freeze lentils for babies?
Yes, provided they haven’t been heavily seasoned or salted. Freeze in small portions for easy weaning meals.
Can you freeze dried lentils?
No need. Dried lentils have an extremely long shelf life when stored somewhere cool and dry, so freezing isn’t necessary.
More Freezing Guides
If you’re freezing lots of pantry staples and batch-cooked meals, you might also find these guides useful:
- Can You Freeze Lentil Curry?
- Can You Freeze Butter Chicken?
- Can You Freeze Goulash?
- Can You Freeze Kedgeree?
- Can You Freeze Tofu Curry?
Or browse my Freezing Food Hub for all of my freezing guides in one place.
