Not sure how many lentils to cook? This calculator shows exactly how much cooked lentils you will get from your dry amount so you avoid making too little or ending up with a pot full of leftovers.
Uncooked → Cooked Lentils Calculator
Lentil Guide: Brown and green lentils yield about 2.5×, red and yellow about 2.3×, black and French about 2.6×, and split lentils about 2.2× when cooked.
FAQs
One cup of dry lentils makes about 2 to 2.5 cups of cooked lentils. The exact amount depends on the type of lentils and how long you cook them. They absorb water and expand, but not as much as grains like quinoa or rice.
To get 1 cup of cooked lentils, start with about 1/2 cup of dry lentils. Since they roughly double in size, this amount will cook up to just over a cup. It’s always good to make a little extra in case you need more.
A typical serving size of cooked lentils is 1/2 cup. That’s enough to provide a good amount of plant-based protein and fiber. If lentils are the main part of your meal, you might want closer to 1 cup per serving.
One cup of dry lentils makes around 2 to 2.5 cups of cooked lentils, which equals about 4 to 5 servings. That’s based on a standard 1/2-cup cooked portion. Lentils are super filling, so a little goes a long way.
A general rule is 3 cups of water for every 1 cup of dry lentils. Lentils don’t absorb as much water as rice or quinoa, but you still need enough to keep them from drying out. You can always drain any excess liquid after cooking.