Slow Cooker Madras Lentils: A Tasty Bites Copycat Recipe (But Better!) (2024)

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If you are craving a delicious, easy, and healthy meal, this crockpot recipe has you covered. Slow cooker madras lentilsare asavory, saucy dish that is just bursting with vibrant Indian spices. The creamy (but dairy free) tomato goodness and protein-packed lentils make this dish just perfect.

Slow Cooker Madras Lentils: A Tasty Bites Copycat Recipe (But Better!) (1)

The first time I triedTasty Bites Madras Lentils, I knew would have to try to make them on my own. I have never made a madras lentils recipe before, so I figured it would take some trial and error. But, the ingredients just seemed perfect for the slow cooker - and they are!

Like the Tasty Bite meal mild version, this recipe is not spicy. But, it is full of hearty lentils and savory, out-of-this-world flavor. And the best part is - it just couldn't be easier to make!

Jump to:
  • 📝Shopping list
  • 🔪Instructions
  • Preparing Your Slow Cooker
  • Cleaning Beans
  • Cooking
  • 🍽Serving suggestions
  • 🔁Substitution ideas
  • Storing
  • 📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Madras Lentils: A Tasty Bites Copycat Recipe (But Better!) (2)

To make this vegetarian meal, you need these simple ingredients found in most grocery stores:

  • dry lentils- black, brown or green lentils
  • red kidney beans- rinsed and drained
  • tomato paste
  • onion flakes
  • ground cumin
  • chili powder
  • dried ginger
  • vegetable broth
  • extra creamy oat milk-barista styleworks really well
  • salt to taste

🚀Jump to recipe card for exact quantities and detailed instructions

🔪Instructions

This great recipe just involves a few simple steps:

Preparing Your Slow Cooker

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent. Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings.

NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface. Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested.However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface. Check the slow cooker's manual if you have any concerns.

Alternatively, you can choose to use aslow cooker liner.

Cleaning Beans

Dried lentils sometimes have dirt or small stones stuck in them from the harvesting process. As such, they should be rinsed and quickly checked before adding them to your slow cooker.

Note: You do not want to use canned lentils for this recipe

Drain and rinse canned red kidney beans before adding them to your slow cooker as well.

Cooking

This is the easy part!

🥄Add all ingredients other than your oat milk to slow cooker. Stir, cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

🥄After the cooking time, temper your oat milk by adding a few spoonfuls of the hot beans to it. This will bring up the temperature of the cold milk and help to avoid curdling.

🥄Add tempered oat milk into your crock-pot and fully mix it in

Your buttery lentils are now ready to serve!

Slow Cooker Madras Lentils: A Tasty Bites Copycat Recipe (But Better!) (3)
Slow Cooker Madras Lentils: A Tasty Bites Copycat Recipe (But Better!) (4)
Slow Cooker Madras Lentils: A Tasty Bites Copycat Recipe (But Better!) (5)
Slow Cooker Madras Lentils: A Tasty Bites Copycat Recipe (But Better!) (6)

🍽Serving suggestions

As a main dish: This quintessential recipe is delicious served over a bed of rice(white or brown rice), riced cauliflower, orquinoa. A dollop of sour cream and some chopped green onions are great garnishes

As a stuffing:These amazing soft lentils are perfect stuffed intobaked potatoes, sweet potatoes, red bell pepper, oracorn squash.

With bread:Serve this great crock pot Indian food with some soft naan bread. It is just right for dipping/soaking up all the amazing creamy tomato sauce.

Alongside protein:Chicken and salmonare both great served with these Indian madras lentils.

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Slow Cooker Madras Lentils: A Tasty Bites Copycat Recipe (But Better!) (7)

🔁Substitution ideas

To make it creamy:use coconut milk, coconut cream, or half and half in place of the oat milk

For added spice:to increase the spice, double the chili, ginger, and cumin for this recipe. Additionally, try adding some garam masala. This will change the flavor from that of Tasty Bites, but it will be delicious!

To change the texture:for a creamier result, try using red lentils or yellow lentils. Brown and black lentils will also have a slightly different finished texture.

For added interest:swap red kidney beans with small red beans, adzuki beans, or black beans.

If you love this recipe, please let me know in the comment section below!

Storing

Store leftovers of this perfect weeknight dinner in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat leftovers on the stove top or in the microwave.

😉Hints & hacks

  1. This is one of those slow cooker recipes that are great if your people will be eating at different times. After cook time, turn your slow cooker to warm. Your diners will each be able to have a hot and filling when they are ready.
  2. For best results, do not use canned lentils for this crock-pot recipe.
  3. Store leftovers of this amazing Indian dish inmeal-sized portionsfor easy reheat-and-eat.
  4. I always recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step. I like to purchasemy liners in bulkfor a less expensive per-piece price.
  5. In the market for a new slow cooker?I love mine.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases and affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

📖 Recipe

Slow Cooker Madras Lentils (Tasty Bites Copycat Recipe)

This savory, saucy lentil dish will grab you right from the first bite. It is filled with chewy lentils that are slow cooked to perfection with red beans in a creamy tomato sauce. A deliciously vegan meal.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours hours

Total Time: 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 312kcal

Author: The Lazy slow cooker

Ingredients

  • cups lentils brown or green, rinsed and checked for stones
  • 15 oz can red kidney beans rinsed and drained
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 3 tbsp onion flakes
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried ginger
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • ½ cup extra creamy oat milk* barista edition works well
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • rinse lentils and check for stones or foreign matter

  • drain and rinse canned red beans

  • to a greased slow cooker, add 1½ cups lentils, 15 oz can red kidney beans, 6 oz tomato paste, 3 tablespoon onion flakes, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon dried ginger, and 4 cups vegetable broth and stir to combine

  • cover and cook on low 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

  • 10 - 15 minutes before serving, temper ½ cup extra creamy oat milk*by stirring a spoonful or two of the hot ingredients in your slow cooker into the milk. This will bring up the temperature of the oat milk to help avoid curdling.

  • add tempered oat milk to slow cooker and stir to fully combine.

  • add salt to taste (I didn't feel that mine need any)

  • Enjoy!

Video

Notes

*For best results, use a full-fat milk or one with extra fat added such as a barista addition or extra creamy oat milk or full fat coconut milk.

Half and half can be used if you aren't looking to keep this dish vegan.

Green or brown lentils will hold their shape better for longer cooking times. If you prefer less defined lentils in your final dish, red lentils can be used. For best results, do not use canned lentils.

Nutrition

Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 868mg | Potassium: 1093mg | Fiber: 22g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 880IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 7mg

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Slow Cooker Madras Lentils: A Tasty Bites Copycat Recipe (But Better!) (9)

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Slow Cooker Madras Lentils: A Tasty Bites Copycat Recipe (But Better!) (2024)

FAQs

Are Madras lentils from Costco healthy? ›

Available @costco for an amazing price. Lentil soup, particularly Madras Lentils, is a nutritional powerhouse that can enhance your diet and overall health.

What to serve with Trader Joe's Madras lentils? ›

It goes great with rice, and I'm certain it would pair up nicely with Indian naan bread.

Are lentils safe in slow cooker? ›

To cook lentils in slow cooker

Place rinsed lentils in your slow cooker and cover with 4 cups of water/broth/stock. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or on LOW for 6-8 hours. Time depends on your individual slow cooker, as not all cook at the same temperature.

Are madras lentils good for you? ›

As if cheap and easy isn't enough, this dish is bursting with nutrition. Lentils and beans are high in iron, and the vitamin C in the tomato sauce and red bell pepper helps increase the absorption of iron.

Does tasty bite go bad? ›

Our packaging is called a retort pouch. This technology allows us to assemble and cook the ingredients within the package. Therefore the product becomes shelf stable for 18 months+.

Are lentils good or bad for you? ›

Lentils are a nutritional powerhouse, high in phenols (protective plant compounds which can help in the prevention of chronic diseases) and rich in heart-healthy fibre, folate and potassium. They also feature low on the glycaemic index so make a good choice to help manage blood glucose levels.

What beans should not be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

Slowly heating raw kidney beans in a slow cooker may increase the toxicity of the beans. Studies have found slow cookers do not reach a high enough temperature to destroy the harmful bacteria in undercooked beans. The PHA toxin is destroyed at 212°F when cooked for at least 10 minutes.

What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

What not to put in a slow cooker
  1. Lean, tender cuts of meat. Lean, tender (and usually more expensive cuts) will actually become dry and tough if you cook them in a slow cooker! ...
  2. Meat with skin left on. ...
  3. Too much liquid. ...
  4. Delicate vegetables. ...
  5. Fresh herbs and spices. ...
  6. Milk and cream. ...
  7. Alcohol. ...
  8. Seafood.

What happens if you don't soak lentils before cooking? ›

Is Soaking Beans Necessary? Don't worry about soaking lentils, split peas, or black-eyed peas (or cowpeas). Lentils and peas are softer than dried beans. They'll cook within 5 to 20 minutes without any soaking time.

Which color lentil is healthiest? ›

The best part is that black lentils are the most nutrient-dense type of lentil, including high quantities of calcium, potassium, iron, and protein. According to the USDA, a half cup of raw black lentils has 960 mg of potassium, 100 mg of calcium, 8 mg of iron, and 26g of protein.

Are lentils good for the bowels? ›

Lentils, beans, soybeans and chickpeas. All beans deliver over 10g of fiber per cup serving and provide a great mix of soluble and insoluble fiber. This makes them a great option for constipated folk. Many others, like chickpeas, lentils, and peas provide over 5g of fiber per serving, making them a great option too.

Do madras lentils go bad? ›

The Best By date noted on the pouches is the recommended industry standard of 18 months from our manufacture date. This is the date to which we guarantee freshness. However, studies have shown that our products remain shelf-stable up to 18 months after the date noted on the package or 36 months from manufacture.

What are the healthiest lentils to buy? ›

The best part is that black lentils are the most nutrient-dense type of lentil, including high quantities of calcium, potassium, iron, and protein. According to the USDA, a half cup of raw black lentils has 960 mg of potassium, 100 mg of calcium, 8 mg of iron, and 26g of protein.

Which Indian lentils are the healthiest? ›

Urad dal or black lentil is one of the most nutritious pulses known to mankind. Low in fat and calories, Urad dal helps to improve digestion. With it being a rich source of protein and vitamin B3, it makes our bones stronger and is said to boost energy levels, enhance heart health and strengthen our nervous system.

Are packaged lentils healthy? ›

The Bottom Line. Lentils are a nutritious food that's low-fat and high in protein and fiber. While they make a delicious addition to a soup, stew or salad, you should not eat them raw. No matter which type of lentils you buy, you can easily cook them by boiling your lentils in water on the stove.

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