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    Home » Recipes

    Fresh and Easy Green Lentil Salad Recipe

    Published: Feb 16, 2018 / Updated: Apr 16, 2020 / 11 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This green lentil salad recipe is healthy, fresh, and totally delicious! It makes a great light meal or side dish.

    close-up of green lentil salad with tomatoes and cucumber in a bowl

    I don't have too many lentil recipes on the blog, but that should probably change. They're versatile and go well in many meals.

    I wanted to make a really quick and simple cold lentil salad, and I am very happy with how this one turned out.

    How to cook green lentils

    Cover them with water and gently simmer them for 30-40 minutes.

    Pro tip: don't salt them before they're cooked - this can mess with their texture.

    healthy lentil salad in a glass mixing bowl with salad utensils

    This healthy lentil salad is packed with good stuff:

    • Cucumber
    • Red onion
    • Red pepper
    • Tomatoes
    • Parsley
    • Mint
    • Capers
    • Lemon juice
    • Olive oil

    Aside from having to cook the lentils, everything else is just quick prep and you chuck it all into a salad bowl.

    Lentils can be fairly plain on their own, so that's why I have things in here like red onion, mint, and capers, and I made sure to season this salad generously with salt since cooking lentils in salted water is not recommended.

    These ingredients really lift the flavor. I suggest playing with the dressing quantities so it's exactly right for your taste buds.

    And, as always, feel free to swap out ingredients you don't like and/or throw in whatever is in your fridge. This is one of those salads where the phrase "the more, the merrier" applies.

    bowl of green lentil salad on a marble surface

    This vegan lentil salad keeps well in the fridge for a few days in a sealed container, so it actually lends itself pretty well to meal prep.

    This dish is hearty enough to be delicious for cold weather, but I also think the freshness lends itself to summer. Ah, summer how I miss you.

    More lentil recipes to try:

    • Mediterranean Lentil Salad
    • Vegan Sweet Potato Curry (Crockpot Recipe)
    • Pumpkin and Lentil Soup

    close-up of healthy lentil salad in a bowl

    Hope you love this green lentil salad recipe!

    Let me know in the comments below if you've tried it or have any questions.

    This green lentil salad recipe is healthy, fresh, and totally delicious! It makes a great light meal or side dish. 

    Fresh and Easy Green Lentil Salad Recipe

    This green lentil salad recipe is healthy, fresh, and totally delicious! It makes a great light meal or side dish. 
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 175 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 3/4 cup uncooked green lentils rinsed
    • 2 cups water
    • 1 red bell pepper chopped
    • 2 Persian (mini) cucumbers sliced
    • Large handful little tomatoes halved
    • 1 tablespoon capers
    • 2 tablespoons red onion chopped
    • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
    • 1 tablespoon fresh mint chopped
    • Juice of 1/2 lemon or to taste
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil or to taste
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse the lentils and add them to a medium pot along with the 2 cups of water over medium-high heat. Bring to a rapid simmer then reduce the heat so it gently simmers for 30-40 minutes or until the lentils are cooked.
    • Meanwhile, prep the other ingredients and add them to a medium salad bowl. 
    • When the lentils are done (they shouldn't be mushy, but they shouldn't be too firm either), drain them and rinse with cool water and then drain them again and add them to the salad bowl. 
    • Add the lemon juice and olive oil (you may need to add more depending on your taste preferences). Add salt & pepper to taste. Toss. Salad will keep for a few days in the fridge. 

    Notes

    • It's best not to salt the lentils until after they're cooked. Keep this in mind and don't forget to give the salad plenty of salt for flavor. 
    • Serves 2-4 depending on whether it's a main course or side.
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 175kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 10gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 69mgPotassium: 521mgFiber: 12gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1491IUVitamin C: 50mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword green lentil salad recipe, vegan lentil salad
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Vegan Mushroom Barley Soup
    One Pot Chicken and Broccoli Pasta »

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    1. Alan says

      January 11, 2023 at 7:52 PM

      We accidently cooked the lentils tooo long, but will try again. Even overcooked the salad was good and tasty

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 11, 2023 at 9:52 PM

        I'm so glad it still tasted good, Alan!

        Reply
    2. Emily says

      April 13, 2020 at 3:21 PM

      5 stars
      The best lentil recipe I have tried! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 14, 2020 at 9:11 AM

        Aww so glad to hear that! Thanks, Emily!

        Reply
    3. AJ says

      August 12, 2019 at 9:13 PM

      5 stars
      Delicious recipe! The mint and lemon were so wonderful! Only change was adding more red onion which my husband loves. We are trying to clean out the pantry before moving so this was a great way to start finishing the lentils!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 13, 2019 at 8:11 PM

        So glad you liked it, AJ!

        Reply
    4. bonnie m says

      May 13, 2019 at 5:53 PM

      5 stars
      wonderful !
      Lemon on top was great
      added a touch of cumin.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 14, 2019 at 10:20 AM

        So happy you liked it!

        Reply
    5. Baygirl says

      September 18, 2018 at 6:26 AM

      4 stars
      Lentils also freeze very well. I like to put a couple of Tbsp. in each pocket of ice cube trays, then freeze and move to a zip lock bag afterward. Defrost a little, or a lot as needed. My version has turmeric, and curry along with most of what you listed.

      Reply
    6. Karen @ The Food Charlatan says

      February 17, 2018 at 10:29 PM

      I don't have enough lentil recipes either! Every time I make them I think that. This salad looks KILLER! Makes me excited for summer!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 17, 2018 at 10:33 PM

        Thanks so much, Karen!! Yes... I am wanting warmer temperatures too.

        Reply

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