Soaking Lentils: Which lentils should be soaked for how long? They cook quickly and offer numerous health benefits..
- byShikha Srivastava
- 17 Feb, 2026
How long should lentils be soaked?: Lentils are a very healthy food. Rich in protein, they provide numerous health benefits. Lentils and rice are the staple foods of the country, making them consumed daily in every household. However, many people simply wash them with water once or twice, put them in a pressure cooker, pack them, and cook them. However, lentils should also be soaked before eating. This softens them and makes them easier to digest. Learn about the benefits of soaking them in water for a while.

Lentils are a treasure trove of health. They are a major source of protein. They are the best source of protein for vegetarians, providing immense benefits to muscles, eyes, hair, bones, and more. When preparing lentils at home, many people cook them directly in a pressure cooker, but it's a good idea to soak them first. This not only speeds cooking but also has health benefits.
Soaked lentils become soft and easily digestible. This reduces problems like gas, bloating, and indigestion. Pulses contain certain compounds that reduce nutrient absorption, but soaking them in water for a while reduces these compounds.
This allows nutrients like protein, iron, and minerals to be easily absorbed by the body. Furthermore, soaked pulses cook in less time, reducing gas. Not every pulse needs to be soaked for the same amount of time.
Soaking pulses like peeled moong dal, toor dal, and urad dal for half an hour to an hour is sufficient. For chana dal or slightly harder pulses, soaking for two to four hours is ideal. During this time, the pulses absorb water and soften.
Pulses like peeled moong dal, urad dal, and horse gram should be soaked for at least 6 to 8 hours. It's best to soak hard pulses like chana, rajma, and chickpea overnight. Doing so softens them completely and cooks them evenly.

Some people add a clove, a small cardamom, and a bay leaf to the water while soaking the lentils. This gives the lentils a pleasant aroma and makes them easier to digest. Soaking lentils may seem like a small thing, but it is beneficial for health. Soaking them for the right amount of time and then cooking them enhances both their taste and nutrition.
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