Can You Freeze Lentils?

Lentils are great to cook with because they are very versatile. They can be eaten by themselves, used in salads, pasta dishes, curries, or soups.

Lentils are a type of legume that is commonly used in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisine. They are a good source of protein, carbs, fiber, and other essential nutrients.

If you’re one of those people who like to use lentils, whether it’s dessert or food, you may wonder if you can freeze them for use later.

Yes, you can freeze lentils. You can either freeze them whole or as a puree. Place them into an airtight container or freezer bag. Properly stored, lentils will last for up to 6 months in the freezer.

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Does Lentils Freeze Well?

The answer to this question is yes, lentils freeze well. Lentils are a great food to store in the freezer because they are easy to cook and don’t require much preparation. They also take on the flavors of whatever you’re cooking them in.

It is important to note that lentils do not need to be cooked before freezing them. All you have to do is rinse them off, spread them out on a plate or baking sheet, and put it in the freezer for an hour or two so they can harden up. Then you can transfer them into freezer bags or containers for storage.

How To Freeze Lentils

Freezing lentils can be done by following the steps below:

Step 1: Cooking

Boil the lentils in water until they are soft. Depending on the variety of lentils, you may need to soak them overnight. The package that the lentils came with will have instructions on what you need to do.

Step 2: Allow To Cool

Once the lentils are cooked, drain them and cool them before freezing. Place it into a colander and let it sit for about 20 minutes to dry.

To help speed up the drying process, you can use a paper towel and gently rub the lentils until it drys.

Step 3: Place Into Bag

Once the lentils are dried, place them into the freezer bag. Leave about an inch of space at the top of the bag to allow it to expand during freezing.

After all the lentils are in the bag, press on it to remove any excess air before sealing.

Step 4: Label and Freeze

With a marker, write the date of freezing on the bag. This will help you keep track of how long the lentils are in the freezer. Then place the bag of lentils into the freezer.

How Long Can You Freeze Lentils?

Freezing lentils allows you to preserve them for up to six months and make your own healthy and nutritious meals whenever you need them.

After that time, the lentils will start to deteriorate in quality. The texture will start to become hard and lose its flavorings.

However, the lentils will still be safe to eat beyond that point, but they will not taste as good as they should.

How Do You Defrost Lentils?

There are two ways of defrosting lentils. You can either use a microwave or simply drain the water from the lentils and boil them on the stove.

The best way to defrost them is by putting them in a bowl of cold water and changing the water every hour or so until they are soft.

The soaking process can take up to three hours, but this is a very easy and simple process that can be done at home without any special equipment.

The other option is to use the microwave, especially if you need to use lentils right away. Microwaves are more convenient because they can defrost food in minutes which usually takes hours on a stove. If you decide to do the microwaving option, make sure to cover your food with a damp paper towel to help keep it moist.

To defrost lentils, place them in a bowl or container with a small amount of water. Microwave the lentils at 2 minutes interval until it thaws. It may take up to 10 minutes for the lentils to thaw completely before it’s ready to be used.

Can You Refreeze Lentils?

Yes, you can refreeze lentils.

The reason that you can refreeze lentils is that they are a legume and not a vegetable. Lentils also have the advantage of being cooked in water, which means that they will retain their shape when they are frozen.