I’ve been making this lentil salad for years and it’s perfect for when you need to clean up your diet a bit and want to eat a little lighter. This lentil salad can be made the night before (I like it best cold anyway) and is great for a sack lunch or picnic meal. The clean, crisp flavors of its light and bright lemony vinaigrette make it perfect for warm, sunny days!
If you want to bulk up the lunch, add in a little shredded rotisserie chicken.
Here’s the recipe:
Healthy Lentil Salad
2015-08-02 09:41:39
Serves 4
Best served cold, this lentil salad can be made the night before. Toss with the vinaigrette just before eating.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
178g
Servings
4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 372
Calories from Fat 166
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 19g
29%
Saturated Fat 3g
13%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 13g
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 635mg
26%
Total Carbohydrates 39g
13%
Dietary Fiber 17g
68%
Sugars 5g
Protein 14g
Vitamin A
125%
Vitamin C
32%
Calcium
7%
Iron
27%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
For the lentil salad
- 1 cup lentils, dry (use whatever color you prefer, I often use green and red)
- 1 1/4 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced onions
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme leaves
For the vinaigrette
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 Tbsp fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/3 cup chopped parsley
Instructions
- Combine the lentils (no need to pre-soak), carrots, onions, garlic, bay leaf and thyme in a large pot. Add water to cover the ingredients, plus 1 inch.
- Over high heat, bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables and lentils are tender, but not mushy.
- Drain and remove the bay leaf.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, celery, parsley, salt and pepper. Toss with lentil salad just before eating.
Notes
- If you're making the vinaigrette ahead of time, leave the celery and parsley in a separate container and add to the vinaigrette at the last minute to prevent them from getting soggy. You want the celery to stay crunchy for texture.
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Enjoy!