Mediterranean Lentil Salad Recipe
A refreshing and nutritious Mediterranean lentil salad featuring tender brown lentils, crisp vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty balsamic dressing. Perfect as a light lunch, side dish, or healthy snack, this salad combines fresh ingredients with protein-rich lentils for a balanced and flavorful meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Lentils and Cooking
- 210 g Brown lentils (1 Cup) (250 ml)
- 500 ml Water (2 cups)
- 1 Bullion stock cube (chicken or vegetable)
Vegetables
- 1 Red bell pepper
- 2 Tomatoes
- 1 Cucumber (peeled and seeded)
- 1 Red onion (small)
- 4 tbsp Parsley (chopped)
Dressing
- 2 tbsp Olive oil (extra virgin)
- 4 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp Honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Finish
- 70 g Feta cheese (2.5 oz)
Instructions
- Rinse lentils: Rinse the brown lentils thoroughly in a fine mesh sieve to remove any debris or small stones. Pick through the lentils carefully to ensure cleanliness.
- Cook lentils: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed lentils, 500 ml (2 cups) of water, and one chicken or vegetable bullion stock cube. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer lentils: Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer uncovered until the lentils are tender but not mushy, about 16 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Prepare vegetables: While lentils cook, dice the red bell pepper, tomatoes, and peeled, seeded cucumber. Finely chop the small red onion and parsley.
- Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Drain and cool lentils: Drain the cooked lentils using a sieve and allow them to cool for 5 to 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled lentils, chopped vegetables, and parsley. Crumble the feta cheese over the top.
- Add dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients.
- Toss and serve: Gently toss everything together until well mixed. Serve the salad at room temperature or chilled, according to preference.
Notes
- Ensure lentils are tender but not overcooked to maintain texture.
- Adjust salt and pepper in the dressing according to taste.
- Feta cheese can be substituted with a vegan alternative for a dairy-free version.
- This salad keeps well refrigerated for up to 2 days, making it ideal for meal prep.
- Optional: add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for extra brightness.
Keywords: Mediterranean lentil salad, lentils, healthy salad, feta cheese, balsamic dressing, vegetarian, easy lunch, fresh vegetables
Find it online: https://cookedbycleo.com/mediterranean-lentil-salad-recipe/
