Colorful Lentil Salad
Bursting with vibrant colors and wholesome ingredients, this Colorful Lentil Salad is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Packed with protein-rich green or brown lentils, crunchy bell peppers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and cooling cucumber, this salad is as nutritious as it is flavorful. Tossed in a zesty homemade dressing made with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of Dijon mustard, each bite is a perfect balance of freshness and tang. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s an easy, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly option that works beautifully as a light meal or a stunning side dish. Serve it fresh or chilled to let the flavors meld—either way, it’s guaranteed to brighten your table and your day!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup green or brown lentils
- 3 cups water
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 0.5 medium red onion
- 0.5 cup fresh parsley
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Rinse the lentils under cold water to remove any debris or dirt.
In a medium saucepan, add the lentils and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer the lentils uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until they are tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside to cool.
While the lentils are cooking, dice the red and yellow bell peppers, cucumber, and red onion into small pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Finely chop the fresh parsley.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
In a large salad bowl, combine the cooked lentils, diced vegetables, cherry tomatoes, and parsley.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring all the ingredients are evenly coated.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy your fresh and nutritious Colorful Lentil Salad!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
795 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 45.6 g | 58% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.5 g | 32% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1363 mg | 59% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 82.5 g | 30% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25.0 g | 89% | |
| Total Sugars | 18.9 g | ||
| Protein | 25.5 g | 51% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 212 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 10.5 mg | 58% | |
| Potassium | 2423 mg | 52% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
