⭐ Why Cook Rice and Lentils Together?
- High‑protein, high‑fibre
- Cheap, filling, and healthy
- Works with curries, stews, salads, wraps, and bowls
- One‑pot, no babysitting
- Lentils cook at a similar speed to rice when the ratios are correct
🥣 Ingredients
For a standard batch:
- 1 cup white rice (Jasmine or Basmati both work)
- ½ cup red or yellow lentils
- 2 ¼ cups water
- Optional:
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- ½ tsp turmeric or cumin for flavour
📏 Perfect Ratios
Lentils absorb more water than rice, so the combined ratio must account for both.
1 cup rice + ½ cup lentils → 2 ¼ cups water
If you double the recipe, scale everything proportionally.
Lentil type matters:
- Red lentils → soften quickly, blend into the rice
- Yellow lentils → hold shape slightly more
- Green/brown lentils → NOT recommended (they take too long)
Stick to red or yellow for perfect results.
🍳 Step‑by‑Step Instructions
1. Rinse the rice
Rinse until the water runs mostly clear.
2. Rinse the lentils
A quick rinse removes dust and starch.
3. Add both to the rice cooker
Put the rice and lentils together in the inner pot.
4. Add water
Use 2 ¼ cups for the 1 + ½ cup mix.
5. Add salt or spices (optional)
Turmeric, cumin, or garlic powder work beautifully.
6. Choose the right cooking mode
Use one of the following:
- White Rice (best for red/yellow lentils)
- Mixed Grain (if your cooker has it)
- Quick Cook works, but texture will be softer
7. Let it rest for 10 minutes
This allows the lentils to finish steaming and the rice to firm up.
8. Fluff and serve
Use a rice paddle to gently lift and separate the grains.
🍽️ Texture Adjustments
Softer, creamier mix
Add +2 tbsp water.
Firmer, more separate grains
Reduce water by 2 tbsp.
More lentil flavour
Increase lentils to ¾ cup (add +¼ cup water).
🌿 Variations
Indian Khichdi‑Style
- Add ½ tsp turmeric
- Add ½ tsp cumin
- Add a small knob of butter
Mediterranean Style
- Add olive oil
- Add a pinch of oregano
- Serve with roasted vegetables
High‑Protein Version
- Add ¼ cup quinoa (add +¼ cup water)
🍛 What to Serve It With
- Chicken curry
- Lentil dal
- Vegetable stew
- Grilled meats
- Buddha bowls
- Roasted vegetables
- Yogurt + herbs
This mix is extremely versatile and works with almost any cuisine.
🛠️ Troubleshooting
Rice is mushy
Too much water → reduce by 2–3 tbsp next time.
Lentils are undercooked
Add ¼ cup water and cook on “Keep Warm” for 10 minutes.
Rice is undercooked
Stir, add 2 tbsp water, and run a short cycle.
✅ Final Thoughts
Rice + lentils is one of the easiest, healthiest, and most reliable mixed‑grain combinations you can make in a rice cooker. It’s cheap, filling, and perfect for meal prep.