Southwestern Lentil Salad
Vibrant, nutritious, and bursting with bold flavors, this Southwestern Lentil Salad is the perfect healthy dish for any occasion. Packed with hearty lentils, protein-rich black beans, sweet corn, and crisp bell peppers, this salad is a colorful medley of freshness and texture. A zesty dressing made with lime juice, olive oil, and warm spices like cumin and chili powder ties everything together, while diced avocado adds a creamy finish. Ready in under an hour, this protein-packed salad is both satisfying and easy to prepare. Perfect as a light lunch, a side dish for BBQs, or a crowd-pleasing potluck option, it’s a gluten-free, vegan-friendly recipe designed to delight!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry green or brown lentils
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 0.25 cup red onion, finely diced
- 0.25 cup cilantro, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 avocado, diced
Instructions
Rinse the lentils thoroughly under cold water. Add them to a medium-sized pot with 3 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let the lentils simmer uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender but not mushy.
Drain the lentils and let them cool to room temperature.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked lentils, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, and chopped cilantro.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and a pinch of salt (to taste).
Pour the dressing over the lentil mixture and toss well to coat all the ingredients.
Gently fold in the diced avocado just before serving to prevent it from becoming mushy.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
289 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 13.1 g | 17% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.8 g | 9% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 519 mg | 23% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 36.2 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 11.8 g | 42% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.2 g | ||
| Protein | 10.8 g | 22% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 67 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 3.6 mg | 20% | |
| Potassium | 795 mg | 17% | |
*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.
