Iberia Dry Lentils, 12 Oz

With grocery prices being so high lately, I have been trying to stock up on healthy, plant-based proteins for my pantry. I grabbed a few bags of these 12-ounce Iberia Red Lentils because the price (under $1.50) was simply too good to pass up. Honestly, the quality is just as good, if not better, than the expensive organic brands I usually buy at my local supermarket. Here is my detailed breakdown of why these are a must-have: The Good: Unbeatable Price & Value: At this price point, you are getting a fantastic amount of high-quality, gluten-free, and vegan protein. It is incredibly budget-friendly for meal prepping. Very Clean: One of my biggest pet peeves with buying budget dried beans is finding little pebbles, twigs, or excessive dust in the bag. I sorted through this entire bag and didn't find a single rock or piece of debris. The lentils are very clean and uniform in size. Fast Cooking time: Unlike brown or green lentils that take 40+ minutes to boil, these red lentils cook incredibly fast. Within 15 to 20 minutes of simmering, they are perfectly tender. Perfect Texture for Soups: They break down beautifully when cooked, creating a rich, creamy, and thick texture. They are absolutely perfect for making traditional Indian Dal, thickening up winter stews, or blending into a smooth lentil soup. Things to Keep in Mind (Quick Cooking Tips!): Always Rinse Them! Even though these are very clean, dried red lentils always have a natural starch dust on them. Put them in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse them under cold water for about a minute until the water runs clear before cooking. It makes a huge difference in the final taste! They Do Not Hold Their Shape: If you are making a cold salad and want a lentil that stays firm and holds its round shape, do not use red lentils! Red lentils naturally disintegrate and turn "mushy" (in a delicious way) to thicken broths. The Verdict: You really cannot go wrong here. For the price of a candy bar, you get a bag of highly nutritious, fast-cooking, and delicious lentils that can feed a family. The quality is excellent, they taste great, and I will definitely be buying them in bulk from now on. Highly recommended!

These lentils are a great pantry staple for quick, nutritious meals. They cook evenly and have a nice, mild flavor that works well in soups, stews, and salads. I like that they’re high in protein and keep me full for hours. The texture turns out soft without becoming mushy if you watch the cooking time. On the downside, they take longer to cook than some other grains, and you need to rinse them carefully to remove small debris. I also add extra seasoning since they’re fairly plain on their own. Overall, they’re affordable, healthy, and versatile for everyday cooking.

These lentils are a solid choice for anyone who cooks at home regularly. They cook evenly and hold their shape well, making them great for soups, curries, and salads. I like the mild, earthy flavor because it absorbs spices nicely. They’re affordable and a good source of protein, which is a big plus for meatless meals. On the downside, they do require rinsing and sorting before cooking, as I occasionally found small debris. They also take longer to prepare compared to canned lentils. Still, the quality is consistent, and the texture turns out great every time. Overall, they’re a dependable pantry staple worth keeping on hand.

I have been making a large batch of lentil soup weekly for work off and on for the past year. This has been my go to brand given cost and amount needed to build my soup. Overall, I have been very pleased with the flavor and size of lentils. I will say you should always rinse your lentils in a strainer before adding to your cookpot and check for any small stones that didn't get filtered out from machine processing. I've only had a couple of bags where there were a couple that I didn't catch. I've yet to get bored of my recipe and find the soup to be very filling and satisfying. The fiber content is off the chart and lots of protein too. Even higher than other lentils. They are a lean option, so I add (cut into very small pieces with kitchen shears) about 4 oz of my favorite bacon that is rendered down to add flavor (thick cut cherrywood has been my favorite bacon so far). After rendering the bacon, add a couple of cups of very small cut carrot and celery, render further for 10 minutes or so and add your lentils with appropriate amount of chicken bouillon (I use Knorr - about a teaspoon per cup of water - four cups to start and after that continue adding water as your bouillon already has plenty of salt). Add some bay leaves and a small amount of cumin. You can add a small touch of cayenne (delicious) and the last 10 minutes or so - about a 1/4 cup of your choice of fresh cut parsley. Curly is fine or regular. Really just a very healthy and delicious option that is very filling and can be kept fresh all week when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for lunches or however you wish. I have also frozen batches. Whole lentils hold up in freezer better than beans which tend to burst due to expansion and become more broken down. I'm much happier with the result of whole lentils (not split lentils) keeping well in freezer. I was turned onto lentils when looking at ways of keeping grocery bill more modest while maintaining good nutrition and wondered where they had been all my life. Of course, lentils have been around for a long time and are a staple of many diets outside the U.S. before starting to catch on here. It was really just my ignorance at not having tried them before. If you haven't tried lentils, I would highly encourage you to try a few recipes out. Masoor Dal (red lentils) are also very delicious - they have skins removed, therefore naturally split so watch the cook time as they won't take as long to cook as whole lentils and can have a bit more of a porridge texture. When seasoned properly, both are delicious and they can stand out on their own.

I just made a yummy lentil soup, I’m very happy with these dried lentils! They cook up nicely and have a great texture—tender but not mushy. They’re perfect for soups, stews, or adding to salads for extra protein and fiber. I also appreciate that they store well in the pantry and are an affordable, healthy staple to keep on hand. Overall, great quality lentils that taste fresh and cook evenly. Highly recommend!

I love red lentils for a Mediterranean soup. Thick, rich, spicy!