Why Beans and Lentils Are The Best For Easy Meals?

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Why Beans and Lentils Are the Best for Easy Weeknight Meals?

At Otao Kitchen, we love beans and lentils—not just because they’re pantry staples, but because they’re incredibly versatile, nutritious, and affordable. In Asian cooking, these humble legumes are used in everything from curries and soups to salads and stews.

According to the Global Pulse Confederation, beans and lentils play a vital role in a healthy, balanced diet and are linked to preventing chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. They're naturally low in fat, high in fibre, and packed with essential minerals and vitamins.

If you're looking for healthy, delicious, and easy dinner ideas, beans and lentils are your go-to ingredients—especially when you want something plant-based and satisfying.

Why Beans and Lentils Are The Best For Easy Meals?

Beans and Lentils for Dinner: Cold Lentil Salad

One of our favourite dinner ideas is a refreshing Cold Lentil Salad with Cucumbers and Olives. It’s a light yet filling dish made with lentils, fresh cucumber, briny olives, and mint, tossed in a bright sherry vinaigrette.

This is the perfect no-fuss meal for warm evenings or make-ahead lunches.

📖 Try the recipe: Red Lentil & Spinach


Beans and Lentils in Soup: A Winter Comfort Staple

Nothing says comfort like a bowl of hearty lentil soup. Our top pick? A rustic Chicken and Lentil Soup that’s easy, nourishing, and loaded with flavour.

All you need is onion, garlic, celery, carrot, tomato purée, and your favourite lentils and beans. Add chicken stock and pieces of chicken (or keep it vegetarian), and finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan or Romano cheese.

It's a classic meal-prep recipe that tastes even better the next day.


Beans and Lentils for Vegan Meals: One-Bowl Wonders

If you're planning a plant-based dinner, beans and lentils offer complete nutrition and are easy to prepare in bulk.

We love this vibrant Wild Rice Bowl with Red Lentil Curry and Spinach—a colourful, flavour-packed dish that’s completely vegan. While the ingredient list may look long, much of it can be prepped ahead or made from leftovers.

Ideal for weeknight meals or meal-prep Sundays.


Beans and Lentils in Asian Cooking

In Asian kitchens, beans and lentils often feature in:

  • Indian dal and lentil curries

  • Thai-style mung bean salads

  • Vietnamese red bean sweet soups

  • Korean soybean stews

These dishes not only taste amazing but can also be adapted into vegetarian or vegan-friendly options without losing flavour or texture.

You can recreate many of these delicious recipes by joining one of our Asian cooking classes or by exploring our recipe collection.


Why Beans and Lentils Belong in Every Kitchen

✔️ Budget-friendly – Dried or canned legumes are super economical
✔️ High in protein and fibre – Perfect for vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters alike
✔️ Great for longevity – Staple in the diets of long-living cultures like the Japanese and Mediterranean populations
✔️ Easy to store and prep – Keep them in your pantry for quick meals any night of the week


Learn How to Cook With Beans and Lentils at Otao Kitchen

Our cooking classes focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and dishes that you can easily recreate at home. Whether you're joining our Indian, Thai, Vietnamese or Japanese cooking classes, we’ll show you how to turn simple ingredients like beans and lentils into unforgettable meals.

👉 Explore our Asian Cooking Classes
👉 Browse More Recipes


Healthy. Hearty. Affordable. That’s why we’ll always have a soft spot for beans and lentils in the kitchen.

Vegan Cooking Master Class

Vegan Cooking Master Class

Explore vibrant spices, beautiful sauces, fresh vegetables, tofu and beans in vegan cooking. If Asian vegan dishes...

Duration 3 Hours

From AUD $197 Book now
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Mexican Cooking Master Class

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