Lentil Salad with Smoked Sausage
Elevate your salad game with this hearty and flavorful Lentil Salad with Smoked Sausage, a perfect balance of earthy lentils, vibrant veggies, and smoky, caramelized sausage. Tender brown or green lentils form the base of this protein-packed dish, complemented by juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp red bell pepper, and a fragrant red onion-parsley duo. The star of the show is the savory smoked sausage, browned to perfection for a rich, satisfying bite. Tossed in a zesty Dijon mustard and red wine vinegar dressing with a hint of sweetness from honey, this salad boasts layers of bold, fresh flavors. Ready in under 45 minutes, this one-bowl wonder is ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish. Serve it slightly chilled or at room temperature and watch it steal the spotlight!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown or green lentils
- 4 cups water
- 8 ounces smoked sausage, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 0.25 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 0.25 cup parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Rinse the lentils under cold water and pick out any debris.
In a medium saucepan, bring the 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the lentils and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain and let cool slightly.
While the lentils cook, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside.
Prepare the vegetables by halving the cherry tomatoes, dicing the red bell pepper, and finely chopping the red onion and parsley.
In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, honey, remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and black pepper until smooth and emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste if needed.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked lentils, browned sausage, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, and parsley.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring all the ingredients are well-coated.
Let the salad sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
334 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 23.3 g | 30% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.2 g | 36% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 741 mg | 32% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 18.8 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.8 g | 21% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.7 g | ||
| Protein | 12.5 g | 25% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 64 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 2.7 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 601 mg | 13% | |
*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.
