Yes, you absolutely can cook lentils in a rice cooker—and it’s easier than you think! Whether you’re making red lentils for dal, green lentils for salads, or brown lentils for soups, many modern rice cookers are designed to handle grains and legumes with ease. In fact, several models come with dedicated presets like “Beans” or “Oatmeal” that work perfectly for lentils. This roundup highlights the best rice cookers that double as reliable lentil cookers, saving you time, energy, and cleanup. We’ve tested and reviewed top-performing models to help you find the perfect kitchen companion for both rice and lentils.
Quick Product Comparison
Our Top 5 Can You Cook Lentils In A Rice Cooker? Reviews – Expert Tested & Recommended
1. GreenLife 2-Cup Uncooked Rice Cooker with Nonstick Ceramic Pot and One-Touch Presets
This compact yet powerful rice cooker from GreenLife isn’t just for rice—it’s one of the few models with a dedicated “Beans” preset, making it ideal for cooking lentils perfectly every time. The toxin-free ceramic nonstick interior ensures easy cleanup and healthier meals.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Healthy ceramic nonstick coating (PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium-free)
- ✓ One-touch presets for White Rice, Brown Rice, Beans, and Steel Cut Oats
- ✓ Compact 2-cup uncooked capacity (perfect for small households)
- ✓ Automatic keep-warm function
Why We Recommend It
We love how simple and safe this cooker is—especially for lentil lovers. The “Beans” mode adjusts timing and heat to prevent undercooking or mushiness, which is a game-changer for red or green lentils. Plus, the ceramic pot is a dream to clean.
Best For
Small families, health-conscious cooks, and anyone who wants a dedicated lentil-cooking function without buying a separate appliance.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent for lentils thanks to the Beans preset
- Non-toxic, scratch-resistant ceramic interior
- Compact design saves counter space
- Affordable price for premium features
Cons:
- Smaller capacity may not suit large families
- No delay timer function
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “Simple, plug it in, press the menu button until the light is over the item of your choice, adjust the timer with the plus and minus buttons, follow the water / amount directions on the guide they send with the machine for each type of food to cook, and it works perfect. Keeps your food hot too until…”
Customer Review: “Love this brand. Makes rice cooking way easier. Easy to clean. Love the ceramic for food safety and cleaning and none sticking. I make sushi rice white rice. It does it all very not good quality. Multiple colors. Very fast. Make two cups of rice you get four cups of perfection. Ready to eat. It’s li”
2. AROMA 4-Cup Uncooked Digital Rice Cooker with Steamer and Stainless Steel Exterior
The AROMA digital rice cooker combines versatility and reliability, offering multiple presets including Steam and Flash Rice—both of which work surprisingly well for lentils when using the right water ratio. Its stainless steel exterior and included steamer tray add extra utility.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Programmable digital controls with automatic Keep Warm
- ✓ Preset functions: White Rice, Brown Rice, Steam, Flash Rice
- ✓ Includes steam tray for veggies or dumplings while cooking
- ✓ 4-cup uncooked capacity (8 cups cooked)
Why We Recommend It
While it doesn’t have a “Beans” mode, the Steam and Flash Rice settings can be adapted for lentils with slight timing adjustments. It’s incredibly consistent, durable, and great for meal prep—plus, you can steam vegetables alongside your lentils.
Best For
Couples or small families who want a mid-sized cooker that handles both rice and lentils with minimal fuss.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Reliable performance across multiple grain types
- Built-in steamer adds cooking flexibility
- Easy-to-read digital display
- Sturdy stainless steel build
Cons:
- No dedicated lentil/bean setting
- Inner pot is nonstick aluminum (not ceramic)
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “This rice cooker has been super reliable. Rice comes out great every time, it’s simple to use, and the size is perfect for small meals. The keep-warm feature is really convenient too. For the price, it’s an awesome little kitchen helper.”
Customer Review: “I never had a rice cooker but like eating rice.. I battled standing over a pot to make sure it didn’t scorch ..A friend recommend this rice cooker and it’s amazing. It’s the perfect size for individual or small family. Love that I can also steam some frozen vegetables while rice is cooking.No scorch”
3. AROMA 3-Cup Uncooked Rice Cooker with Auto Keep Warm and Oatmeal Function
Don’t let its size fool you—this mini AROMA cooker packs a punch. With a ceramic-coated nonstick pot and an “Oatmeal” function that doubles perfectly for lentils, it’s our top pick for budget-conscious buyers who still want quality and safety.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Turns 3 cups uncooked into 6 cups cooked
- ✓ CoreCoat ceramic nonstick interior (PFAS-free)
- ✓ Auto Keep Warm and Oatmeal presets
- ✓ Compact design ideal for singles or couples
Why We Recommend It
The “Oatmeal” mode uses gentle, extended heat—perfect for softening lentils without turning them to mush. It’s affordable, easy to clean, and surprisingly effective for such a small appliance.
Best For
Students, singles, or anyone on a tight budget who wants to cook lentils and rice without sacrificing safety or flavor.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Ceramic coating is safe and easy to clean
- Simple two-button operation
- Lightweight and portable
Cons:
- Very basic functionality—no advanced settings
- Small capacity limits batch cooking
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “Works great. It’s a little rice cooker with 2 options: cook rice, and keep rice warm. If it’s not doing one of those 2 things, it’s unplugged. Super easy to clean up, just toss it in the top rack, or rinse it out and let it dry. Simple as. Holds as much rice as it says, and nice (if a little hard to…”
Customer Review: “Rice cooker works great. Easy to use and clean. The measuring cup it comes with is only 3/4 cup (160ml) so I can’t use it for rice since it calls for full cups of rice? Anyways, it’s a good rice cooker for the money”
4. COSORI 10-Cup Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker with 18 Functions and Stainless Steel Steamer
This powerhouse from COSORI isn’t just a rice cooker—it’s a full-fledged grain and legume station. With 18 functions including Quinoa, Oatmeal, and Multigrain, it handles lentils with precision thanks to its advanced fuzzy logic technology that adjusts heat and timing automatically.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ 18 cooking functions including grains, oats, and steamed veggies
- ✓ Fuzzy logic technology for perfect texture every time
- ✓ 10-cup uncooked capacity (great for meal prep)
- ✓ 24-hour delay timer and keep-warm function
Why We Recommend It
If you eat lentils regularly or cook for a large family, this is the ultimate multitasker. The fuzzy logic ensures even cooking, whether you’re making red lentil soup or green lentil salad. It’s like having a sous chef in your kitchen.
Best For
Large families, meal preppers, and foodies who want maximum versatility from one appliance.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unmatched functionality with 18 presets
- Large capacity ideal for batch cooking
- Fuzzy logic delivers consistent results
- Easy-clean ceramic-coated inner pot
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Bulky design takes up significant counter space
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “This Cosori rice cooker has exceeded all my expectations. It cooks rice perfectly every single time, whether it’s white rice, brown rice, quinoa, or oatmeal. I love the non-stick ceramic inner pot — it doesn’t scratch, it’s easy to clean, and the food never sticks.The 18 cooking functions are incred”
Customer Review: “Now this is a great rice cooker. It has options it’s easy to use and definitely makes a lot of rice and I love the fact that you can saute to make yellow rice and to make other stuff. I love it! I highly recommend it and it’s great for its price”
5. COOK WITH COLOR 3L Glass Rice Cooker with Digital Panel and Steamer Basket
Unique among rice cookers, this model features a glass lid and auto-lifting stainless steel basket—perfect for low-carb rice and surprisingly effective for lentils. The 2-step starch removal process can also be used to rinse lentils thoroughly before cooking.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Smart 2-step process for healthy, low-starch cooking
- ✓ Auto-lifting stainless steel basket (no manual draining)
- ✓ Adjustable hotpot function (100W–700W)
- ✓ Digital panel with intuitive controls
Why We Recommend It
While designed for low-carb rice, the auto-lift basket and precise temperature control make it excellent for lentils—especially if you prefer them firm (like for salads). It’s innovative, easy to use, and delivers consistent results.
Best For
Health-focused cooks, keto dieters, and anyone who enjoys experimenting with texture in their legumes.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unique auto-lift basket simplifies cooking
- Great for low-carb and high-protein diets
- Transparent glass lid lets you monitor progress
- Doubles as a customizable hotpot
Cons:
- Smaller capacity (3L) limits large batches
- Higher learning curve for new users
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “The media could not be loaded.I’m very satisfied with my rice cooker. The build quality is excellent, and it consistently cooks rice perfectly every time. What I love most is how convenient it is for making low-carb rice; it handles the process effortlessly and the results taste great. The capacity “
Customer Review: “This rice cooker makes great rice and is so easy to use. I like how it does everything in one pot and I don’t even need to measure anything if I don’t want to. My first time using it (I’ll include some pics), I used 2 cups of dry rice. I put the rice in the strainer basket and rinsed it right in the”
Complete Buying Guide for Can You Cook Lentils In A Rice Cooker
Essential Factors We Consider
When choosing a rice cooker for lentils, we prioritize preset versatility, interior material safety, and capacity. Look for models with “Beans,” “Oatmeal,” or “Multigrain” settings—these use lower, slower heat ideal for lentils. Ceramic or toxin-free nonstick coatings are safer than traditional Teflon. Also consider size: 2–4 cups uncooked is great for small households, while 8–10 cups suit families or meal preppers.
Budget Planning
You don’t need to spend a fortune to cook lentils well. Budget options like the AROMA 3-Cup start under $40 and work great with minor adjustments. Mid-range models ($50–$80) often include better materials and more presets. Premium cookers like the COSORI ($120+) offer fuzzy logic and large capacities—ideal if lentils are a staple in your diet.
Final Thoughts
Yes, you can cook lentils in a rice cooker—and doing so saves time, reduces mess, and delivers consistent results. Whether you choose our Best Choice (GreenLife) for its dedicated Beans mode or the Best Budget pick (AROMA 3-Cup) for affordability, any of these models will simplify your legume cooking. Just remember to adjust water ratios slightly (usually 2:1 water-to-lentils) and use the right preset for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can all rice cookers cook lentils?
A: Not all—but most can with minor adjustments. Look for models with “Beans,” “Oatmeal,” or “Multigrain” presets, or use the Steam/White Rice setting with extra water and longer cooking time.
Q: Do I need to soak lentils before cooking in a rice cooker?
A: No! Unlike dried beans, most lentils (especially red and green) don’t require soaking. Just rinse and add to the cooker with water.
Q: What’s the best water-to-lentil ratio for rice cookers?
A: Generally, use 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of lentils. Adjust slightly based on your preferred texture—more water for soupier results, less for firmer lentils.
Q: Will lentils stick to the rice cooker pot?
A: With a quality nonstick or ceramic coating (like in our top picks), sticking is rare. Avoid high heat and don’t open the lid during cooking to prevent uneven texture.
Q: Can I cook lentils and rice together in a rice cooker?
A: Yes! Add rinsed lentils and rice with the total water amount adjusted for both. Use the “Multigrain” or “Brown Rice” setting for best results.
Ready to simplify your lentil cooking? Pick one of our expert-recommended rice cookers today and enjoy perfectly cooked legumes with zero hassle. Click any “Check Price” button above to compare deals and bring home your new kitchen essential!