This sweet Korean lentils recipe creates delicious Korean flavours with lentils, making them sweet and mildly spiced.
Using a simplified version of Korean barbecue sauce (also known as Bulgogi Sauce), we are going to make sweet Korean lentils that taste like Korean barbecue.
Want to make spicy Korean lentils, try this recipe.
Recipe for Sweet Korean Lentils
To make delicious sweet Korean lentils, all you need is dry lentils, onion, garlic, water, oil and simple ingredients to make a homemade Korean sauce!
The best Korean lentils are cooked with a variety of sweet and savoury ingredients. The lentils are then simmered in the sauce until they are fully coated and the flavours have had a chance to meld together.
Sweet Korean lentils are often served as a main dish alongside rice or other grains, but they can also be served as a side dish or used as a protein-rich filling for sandwiches or wraps. They are a great option for vegetarians and vegans, as lentils are a good source of protein, fibre, and other essential nutrients.
The recipe is vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and egg-free!
Ingredients
- Lentils (dry)
- Oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Korean Sauce
- Soy Sauce
- Apple sauce (unsweetened)
- Brown Sugar
- Ginger
- Roasted sesame oil
To make Korean lentils gluten-free, use a gluten-free soy sauce
to make this soy-free, use a soy-free soy sauce alternative
How To Make Korean Lentils (Sweet)
To start making your sweet Korean lentils, heat oil on a large non-stick pan on medium-high heat and add diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix together the Korean sauce ingredients in a bowl: soy sauce, unsweetened apple sauce, brown sugar, minced ginger (or ginger powder) and roasted sesame oil.
Once onions and garlic have cooked, add in dry lentils (I use red split lentils), water and the Korean sauce. Mix well and bring to a boil.
Turn the heat down to a medium-low and let it simmer, stirring every few minutes, until the lentils have cooked and absorbed all the sauce and water (around 10-12 minutes). Add small splashes of water if it gets too dry.
Optionally, you can top your Korean lentils with sesame seeds and green onions and serve on top of rice.
Storage tip: Keep in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days to enjoy later.
Sweet Korean Lentils
Equipment
- Pan or Wok
- Knife and cutting board
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 cup Lentils dry (I used red split lentils)
- 1 tsp Oil
- 1/2 Onion diced
- 2 cloves Garlic minced, 2-4 cloves
- 2 cups Water
- 1 tsp sesame seeds optional
- 2 stalks Green onion optional
Korean sauce
- 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
- 1/4 cup Apple Sauce unsweetened
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tsp Ginger minced or ginger powder
- 1 tsp Roasted Sesame Oil
Instructions
- To start making your sweet Korean lentils, heat oil on a large non-stick pan on medium-high heat and add diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix together the Korean sauce ingredients in a bowl: soy sauce, unsweetened apple sauce, brown sugar, minced ginger (or ginger powder) and roasted sesame oil.
- Once onions and garlic have cooked, add in dry lentils (I use red split lentils), water and the Korean sauce. Mix well and bring to a boil.
- Turn the heat down to a medium-low and let it simmer, stirring every few minutes, until the lentils have cooked and absorbed all the sauce and water (around 10-12 minutes). Add small splashes of water if it gets too dry.
- Optionally, you can top your sweet Korean lentils with sesame seeds and green onions and serve on top of rice.
- Storage tip: Keep in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days to enjoy later.
Nutrition
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Tried both this and the spicy Korean lentils! They’re both so delicious in their own way and rice is definitely a must. Love how it’s high protein too!!!!