French Lentils With Garlic and Thyme Recipe

The Ultimate French Lentils With Garlic and Thyme Recipe: Simple, Flavorful, and So Satisfying! – Hey friends! Lumina here, and I’m SO excited to share this French Lentils With Garlic and Thyme recipe with you today!

French Lentils With Garlic and Thyme

Lumina Liu

A healthy and flavorful French dish featuring tender lentils simmered with aromatic vegetables, garlic, and thyme. This classic French recipe makes an excellent side dish or vegetarian main course that's both nutritious and satisfying.

4.8 from 287 votes

Prep Time 10 Minutes

Cook Time 25 Minutes

Total Time 35 Minutes

Course Side Dish

Cuisine French

Servings 4 servings

Calories 320 calories kcal

Ingredients

 

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 2 sticks celery, diced
• 2 1/4 cups French lentils
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 6 cups water

Instructions

 

1. Place a large saucepan over medium heat and add oil. When hot, add chopped vegetables and sauté until softened, 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Add 6 cups water, lentils, thyme, bay leaves and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a fast simmer.
3. Simmer lentils until they are tender and have absorbed most of the water, 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, drain any excess water after lentils have cooked.
4. Serve immediately, or allow them to cool and reheat later.
5. For a fuller taste, use some chicken stock and reduce the water by the same amount.

Nutrition

Calories: 320.00 caloriesFat: 9.00 gCarbohydrates: 45.00 gFiber: 22.00 gProtein: 18.00 g

Keyword French lentils, garlic and thyme lentils, French cuisine, vegetarian, pulse recipe, healthy side dish

This dish has been my go-to weeknight dinner lately, and trust me, it’s a total game changer when you need something nutritious but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

Why French Lentils Are Special

French lentils (also called Puy lentils) aren’t just any lentils! These little gems hold their shape after cooking, which makes them perfect for this recipe.

Unlike regular brown lentils that can get mushy, French lentils stay slightly firm and have a peppery, earthy flavor that’s seriously addictive.

My first time cooking with French lentils was actually a happy accident.

I grabbed the wrong package at the store, but now I can’t imagine making this dish with anything else!

Ingredients You’ll Need to Cook This French Lentils With Garlic and Thyme

For this French Lentils With Garlic and Thyme recipe, gather these simple ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 2 sticks celery, diced
• 2¼ cups French lentils, rinsed and picked over
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried)
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 6 cups water

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cozy French Lentils With Garlic and Thyme: A Simple Weeknight Wonder:

Preparing the Aromatics

1. Heat your olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add your chopped vegetables (onion, garlic, carrots, and celery) to the hot oil.
3. Sauté everything until the veggies soften and become fragrant, about 5-10 minutes.

This step is crucial for building flavor! Don’t rush it – letting those vegetables get soft and slightly golden creates the perfect foundation for your lentils.

Cooking the Lentils

1. Add 6 cups of water to the saucepan with your softened vegetables.
2. Stir in the French lentils, thyme, bay leaves, and salt.
3. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a fast simmer.
4. Cook for 20-25 minutes until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape.

The lentils should absorb most of the water, but if there’s excess liquid after cooking, just drain it off. No big deal!

Pro Tips for Perfect French Lentils

Want to take this French Lentils With Garlic and Thyme recipe to the next level? Here are some game-changing tips:

• Substitute chicken stock for some or all of the water for a richer flavor. This is hands-down my favorite way to make these lentils taste even more amazing!
• Check your lentils occasionally while cooking. Different brands might need slightly different cooking times.
• Don’t skip the bay leaves! They add a subtle depth that you’ll definitely miss if they’re not there.
• Fresh thyme is awesome, but dried works too if that’s what you have on hand.

Serving Suggestions

These French lentils are super versatile! Here are my favorite ways to enjoy them:

• As a hearty side dish with roasted chicken or fish
• Topped with a fried egg for a protein-packed breakfast
• Mixed into a salad with some feta cheese and cherry tomatoes
• Stuffed into roasted bell peppers for a vegetarian main

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

One of the best things about this French Lentils With Garlic and Thyme recipe is that it actually tastes better the next day!

The flavors have time to mingle and get even more delicious.

• To store: Let the lentils cool completely, then keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• To reheat: Simply warm them in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if they seem dry.

My Personal Experience

The first time I made these French lentils, I was honestly surprised by how flavorful they were with such simple ingredients! I’ve tried adding different herbs and spices, but I always come back to this classic combination of garlic and thyme.

Sometimes I’ll throw in a splash of red wine vinegar right at the end for a little tang. Other times, I’ll stir in some baby spinach while the lentils are still hot so it wilts perfectly.

Why This Recipe Works

The magic of this French Lentils With Garlic and Thyme recipe lies in its simplicity. The earthy lentils pair perfectly with aromatic garlic and fragrant thyme. The veggies add sweetness and depth, while the slow simmer helps everything come together in harmony.

You don’t need fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients – just good, honest cooking that results in a dish that’s way more than the sum of its parts!

So next time you’re looking for something healthy, satisfying, and delicious, give these French lentils a try. I promise they’ll become a regular in your meal rotation!