You’ll love stocking gluten free dried lentils that make weeknight meals easy and tasty. Pick quick‑cooking red lentils like Goya for creamy soups and dals, choose Camellia non‑GMO 2 lb bags for budget friendly staples, and grab Food to Live French green lentils whenever you desire peppery, shape‑holding beans for salads and stews. Buy small 8–16 oz packs to sample, or bulk 1–3 lb bags provided you cook often, and use airtight jars to keep them fresh in case you want more kitchen tips.
| Goya Foods Red Lentils Dry 16 Ounce (Pack of 24) |
| Pantry Staple | Product Type: Dry red lentils | Gluten Status: Gluten‑free | Protein Source: Plant‑based protein | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Food to Live French Green Lentils (3 lb) |
| Best for Meal Prep | Product Type: Dry French green lentils | Gluten Status: Gluten‑free | Protein Source: Plant‑based protein | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Camellia Dried Lentils Non‑GMO (2 lb Pack) |
| Premium Choice | Product Type: Dried lentils (non‑GMO) | Gluten Status: Gluten‑free | Protein Source: Plant‑based protein | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Food to Live French Green Lentils 8 oz |
| Salad & Sides Favorite | Product Type: Dry French green lentils | Gluten Status: Gluten‑free | Protein Source: Plant‑based protein | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Camellia Dried Crowder Peas (1 lb Pack of 6) |
| Southern Classic | Product Type: Dried crowder peas (Southern field peas) | Gluten Status: Gluten‑free | Protein Source: Plant‑based protein | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Goya Foods Red Lentils Dry 16 Ounce (Pack of 24)
Provided you want a reliable pantry staple that saves time and still tastes homemade, Goya Foods Red Lentils, Dry, 16 Ounce in the pack of 24 is for you. You’ll appreciate how quick-cooking red lentils turn into creamy soups, hearty stews, bright salads, or a simple bowl over rice. You get high protein and fiber without cholesterol or trans fat, and the kosher label adds trust. Since they come from Goya, you’ll feel confident about quality. They store well in your pantry, and buying the 24-pack keeps you stocked. You’ll enjoy cooking more and worrying less.
- Product Type:Dry red lentils
- Gluten Status:Gluten‑free
- Protein Source:Plant‑based protein
- Fiber Content:High fiber
- Dietary Suitability:Suitable for vegetarian/vegan diets (Kosher)
- Common Culinary Uses:Soups, stews, salads, served over rice
- Additional Feature:Quick-cooking convenience
- Additional Feature:Kosher certified product
- Additional Feature:Bulk pack availability
Food to Live French Green Lentils (3 lb)
Whenever you cook for a family, meal-prep for the week, or love recipes that need firm, intact lentils, Food to Live French Green Lentils in the 3 pound bag is often the best choice for you. You’ll appreciate that they cook in 30 to 40 minutes and hold their shape, so salads and stews look and feel homemade. Their deep, peppery, earthy nuances add real flavor while mineral undertones keep dishes interesting. They’re high in fiber and plant protein, and sproutable for raw uses. Use them in soups, curries, veggie burgers, hummus, and meal-prep bowls with confidence.
- Product Type:Dry French green lentils
- Gluten Status:Gluten‑free
- Protein Source:Plant‑based protein
- Fiber Content:High fiber
- Dietary Suitability:Suitable for vegetarian/vegan diets (Kosher, sproutable)
- Common Culinary Uses:Soups, stews, salads, veggie burgers, sprouting
- Additional Feature:Maintains firm texture
- Additional Feature:Sproutable whole lentils
- Additional Feature:Deep peppery flavor
Camellia Dried Lentils Non‑GMO (2 lb Pack)
Provided you want a reliable, budget-friendly pantry staple that makes weeknight cooking easier, Camellia Dried Lentils Non‑GMO (2 lb Pack) is a great choice for busy home cooks and families. You’ll appreciate that these lentils come from a family brand with roots back to 1923, so they feel trustworthy and familiar. They cook quickly with little or no soaking, so you can toss them into soups, stews, salads, curries, grain bowls, or veggie burgers. They pack plant protein, fiber, and key vitamins to support digestion and energy. They fit vegetarian, vegan, and Mediterranean plans while saving you time and money.
- Product Type:Dried lentils (non‑GMO)
- Gluten Status:Gluten‑free
- Protein Source:Plant‑based protein
- Fiber Content:High fiber
- Dietary Suitability:Suitable for vegetarian/vegan diets (Non‑GMO)
- Common Culinary Uses:Soups, stews, curries, salads, grain bowls, veggie burgers
- Additional Feature:Non‑GMO certified
- Additional Feature:Family‑owned brand
- Additional Feature:Fast weeknight cooking
Food to Live French Green Lentils 8 oz
Assuming you want a reliable lentil that holds its shape and brings bold flavor to your cooking, Food to Live French Green Lentils, 8 ounces, are a great pick for home cooks who care about texture and taste. You’ll like that they cook in 30 to 40 minutes and stay firm, so soups, salads, and veggie burgers keep a pleasant bite. Their deep peppery, earthy flavor with mineral notes gives dishes real character. They’re high in fiber and plant protein, and they work well sprouted or raw. Use them in stews, curries, hummus, or as a hearty pantry memorandum.
- Product Type:Dry French green lentils
- Gluten Status:Gluten‑free
- Protein Source:Plant‑based protein
- Fiber Content:High fiber
- Dietary Suitability:Suitable for vegetarian/vegan diets (Kosher, sproutable)
- Common Culinary Uses:Soups, stews, chili, curries, salads, veggie burgers
- Additional Feature:Keeps lentils intact
- Additional Feature:Sproutable and raw-friendly
- Additional Feature:Pungent mineral undertones
Camellia Dried Crowder Peas (1 lb Pack of 6)
Should you love comforting Southern dishes and want a reliable pantry staple, Camellia Dried Crowder Peas (1 lb, pack of 6) are an excellent choice for home cooks who value hearty flavor and consistent results. You’ll find their earthy taste warms meals like Hoppin’ John and stews, and they hold shape while cooking so your dish looks as good as it tastes. They make a rich dark pot liquor that deepens flavor, and they work in salads, sides, and vegan recipes. Non GMO and gluten free, they deliver plant protein and fiber from a trusted family brand.
- Product Type:Dried crowder peas (Southern field peas)
- Gluten Status:Gluten‑free
- Protein Source:Plant‑based protein
- Fiber Content:High fiber
- Dietary Suitability:Suitable for vegetarian/vegan diets (Non‑GMO, gluten‑free)
- Common Culinary Uses:Stews, Hoppin’ John, salads, side dishes, Southern recipes
- Additional Feature:Southern heirloom variety
- Additional Feature:Creates dark pot liquor
- Additional Feature:Certified non‑GMO
Factors to Consider When Choosing Gluten Free Dried Lentils
While you pick gluten free dried lentils, consider about protein and fiber initially since they affect how filling your meals will be. Also check cooking time and expected texture because quick-cooking lentils keep their shape for salads while longer ones turn creamy for soups, and that ties directly to flavor and which recipes they’ll suit. Finally look for Non GMO labels and certifications to make sure the lentils meet your dietary needs and give you peace of mind.
Protein And Fiber Content
Should you want a simple way to boost both protein and fiber in your gluten free meals, dried lentils are a smart choice you can rely on. You get about 18 to 26 grams of plant protein per 100 grams uncooked, so they help fill the protein gap without meat. They also deliver roughly 8 to 12 grams of fiber per 100 grams uncooked, which supports digestion and keeps you full longer. Lentil protein is incomplete alone, low in methionine, but it pairs naturally with grains to make a complete amino acid profile. Because lentils are low in fat and calorie dense for protein and fiber, they fit well into balanced plans. Different colors change texture more than nutrition, so choose what you enjoy.
Cooking Time Needed
You’ve already seen how lentils pack protein and fiber, and now you’ll want to know how long they take to cook so those nutrients end up tasting great. Different types need different times: red and yellow lentils soften fast in about 10 to 20 minutes, while green, brown, and French Puy varieties usually take 20 to 40 minutes. Split or smaller lentils cook quickest because they lack an intact seed coat, so you can expect them to be tender in under 20 minutes without soaking. Keep in mind age and storage matter; older lentils can add 5 to 10 minutes. Also be aware hard water or adding acidic ingredients at the start will slow or stop softening. Should you prefer firmer lentils for salads, start checking green or French at 20 to 25 minutes and test every few minutes.
Texture After Cooking
Balancing texture starts with picking the right lentil for the dish and considering through a few simple choices you’ll make at the stove. You’ll notice size and variety set the baseline. Red and orange lentils disintegrate into a creamy mash, so you’ll use them if you desire smoothness. Whole green, Puy, and brown lentils hold shape and give a firmer bite. Cooking time and simmering style change that result. Shorter cooking keeps lentils intact, while longer simmering softens them. Rinsing initially removes debris and helps even cooking so you won’t get hard centers. Watch water amounts and avoid vigorous boiling because excess liquid and agitation split lentils. Also bear in mind older lentils might need longer and act mealy, so store them well.
Flavor And Culinary Uses
Consider flavor the same way you regard color in a painting: some lentils fade into the background while others demand attention. You’ll notice red and yellow lentils taste mild and creamy, so they melt into soups and dals. Green and brown lentils bring peppery, earthy notes that stand up in salads and bowls. Split and red lentils disintegrate fast and give you a smooth, thick texture for purees. Whole lentils keep their shape, so you get bite and structure in composed dishes. Firmer varieties like French green hold a peppery snap even after prolonged cooking, so they work whenever texture matters. Match flavor and texture to spices and acids such as cumin, smoked paprika, garlic, lemon, and vinegar to brighten dishes.
Non‑GMO And Certifications
After you pick lentils that taste right for your dish, you’ll also want to check labels for non-GMO and certification marks that protect your health and peace of mind. Look for certified non-GMO seals from recognized groups so you know seeds and production avoided genetic modification. Organic certification often supports non-GMO status because organic rules prohibit GM seeds. Also watch for gluten‑free certification from third parties since they set strict cross-contact limits, often 10 to 20 ppm or lower. Check allergen and facility statements too, and prefer products with third‑party audits or shared‑facility controls to cut cross‑contamination risk. Certification labels come from documented testing and audits, so active, current certificates give verifiable traceability beyond unsigned claims and vague promises.
Package Size Availability
Should you purchase gluten free dried lentils, pick a package size that matches how often you cook them so you don’t waste money or food. Consider how often you make lentil dishes. Buy small bags 8 to 16 ounces should you cook them once in a while or want to try different types. Choose bulk 1 to 3 pound bags should you cook weekly or meal prep. Bear in mind storage life and space. Dry lentils last 1 to 2 years in airtight containers, so transfer bulk bags to sealed, pest proof jars or vacuum bags. Portioning large bags into meal size packs keeps lentils fresher and reduces waste. Should pantry space be tight, pick smaller 4 to 16 ounce packs to sample varieties.
