Best Red Lentil Salad Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN STYLE ROASTED RED PEPPER AND LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Toss red pepper halves with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place them on a baking sheet and roast until the peppers are very soft and crisp at the edges, about 20 minutes. Allow peppers to cool, then dice into 1/4-inch cubes. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
• Combine lentils and cold water in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, add a pinch of salt, and simmer, covered, until the lentils are just tender to the bite, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat, drain, and cool. Transfer cooled lentils to the mixing bowl.
• Gently mix in the onion, celery, carrots, and parsley. Add 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Combine the Dijon mustard, chopped shallots, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, and balsamic vinegar in a blender. Blend on High for 10 seconds. Gradually add olive oil and blend again until the dressing is fully emulsified and smooth. Pour 1/2 cup dressing over lentils and stir gently with a wooden spoon. Taste the salad and add remaining dressing if desired.

CURRIED RED LENTIL KOHLRABI, AND COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk white wine vinegar, curry powder,and pressed garlic in medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in olive oil. Season dressing to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Cook lentils and kohlrabi leaves in heavy large saucepan of boiling salted water until lentils are barely tender but not too soft, about 6 minutes. Drain; rinse under cold water to cool. Drain again.
• Bring 1 1/4 cups water to boil in same saucepan; remove from heat. Add 3 tablespoons dressing, sprinkle with salt, then stir in couscous. Cover pot and let stand 5 minutes. Transfer couscous to medium bowl. Fluff couscous with fork to separate grains and cool slightly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, transfer lentils to large bowl. Add 1/2 cup dressing, diced kohlrabi bulb, and chopped green onions; toss to coat. Season mixture to taste with salt and pepper.
• Arrange baby spinach leaves over large rimmed platter. Drizzle spinach with 2 to 3 tablespoons remaining dressing. Sprinkle spinach leaves with salt and pepper. Mound lentil mixture in center of platter over spinach leaves. Stir mint into couscous. Spoon couscous around lentils and serve with remaining dressing.

RED LENTIL AND BULGHUR SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine lentils and 5 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook, until lentils are soft, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in bulghur and 1/2 cup oil. Season with herbamare. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, In a large skillet, heat 5 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add onions, and cook, stirring occasionally, until brown, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Place red pepper in a food processor and puree. In a small nonstick skillet, heat remaining tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add red pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until puree becomes dry, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add onions and red-pepper puree to lentils, and stir to combine. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Transfer to serving dish. In a small bowl, stir together tomato, parsley, and scallion. Serve lentils garnished with tomato mixture.

WARM RED LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT OR FETA CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, garlic, and ginger and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Stir in the lentils and vegetable stock. Let cook, covered (but with venting for the steam), for 20 minutes on medium-high heat.
• After 20 minutes, remove from heat and stir in the mint and cilantro.
• In a frying pan (or skillet), heat the other tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat, add the onions, and cook for about 10 minutes or until softly translucent and browned.
• Toss the spinach in the hazelnut oil in a bowl, then divide between 4 serving plates.
• Mash the goat (or feta) cheese with the yogurt in a small bowl and season to taste with pepper.
• Divide the lentils between the serving plates and top with the onions and cheese mixture. Garnish with lemon quarters and serve with toasted rye bread, pitas, or melba toast.

RED LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Bring the lentils and bay leaf to a boil in 3 cups water, then reduce the heat and simmer until the water cooks away, 15 to 18 minutes. Skim any by-product away as the lentils cook.
• Meanwhile, cover the potatoes with water in a small pot and bring to boil. Salt the water and boil for 5 minutes. Drain the potatoes and run under cold water to cool. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl.
• Drain the lentils and run under cold water to cool. Drain well and add to the potatoes.
• Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil in a skillet and saute the onions, garlic, ginger and chile pepper until softened. Stir in the tamarind paste and spices to toast them, then remove from the heat.
• Add the spice mixture to the lentils and potatoes. Gently stir in the cilantro, spinach and lime juice. If the salad seems dry, add a little more oil. Serve.

BLACK RICE AND RED LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the rice, water and salt to taste in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat and simmer 40 to 50 minutes, until all of the liquid in the pan has been absorbed by the rice. Remove from the heat. Remove the lid, place a clean dish towel over the pan and return the lid. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, if using frozen edamame, cook it, following the directions on the package.
• In a medium bowl, toss together the rice, edamame, lentils, walnuts and cilantro. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the rice vinegar, lime juice, ginger, soy sauce, cayenne, sesame or walnut oil and grapeseed oil. Toss with the salad. Refrigerate in a bowl or in containers until ready to take to work or eat.

THAI RED RICE AND FRENCH GREEN LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Soak red rice in a bowl of fresh water for 30 minutes. Soak lentils in fresh water in a separate bowl for 30 minutes. Drain both rice and lentils into separate pots.
• Add 3 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the pot of rice and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until water has been absorbed and rice is tender, but not soft, about 20 minutes.
• Add 3 cups of water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bay leaf to the pot of lentils and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil lentils for 15 minutes. Add peas, reduce heat, and simmer until the water has been absorbed or the legumes are tender, not soft, 5 to 10 minutes more.
• Drain rice and lentils; discard bay leaf. Transfer to a large serving bowl and allow to cool slightly. Mix in oil, almonds, parsley, and lime juice. Gently fold the ingredients until they are evenly combined. Allow to rest either at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving, about 1 hour.

LENTIL & RED PEPPER SALAD

Steps:

• Tip the lentils and peppers into a bowl with the radishes, olives, vinegar and oil, and mix well. Season to taste.
• Separate the lettuce leaves and put onto a large plate. Spoon over the lentil salad and scatter with the feta.

CURRIED RED LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• In large bowl, whisk together all ingredients for dressing. Set aside.
• Wash lentils. Cook in boiling water 5-6 minutes or until just tender. Rinse and drain well.
• Add capers, currants and onions to lentils.
• Combine with dressing and let marinate at least 2 hours in the refrigerator before serving.
• Enjoy!

CURRIED RED LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together the dressing and set aside Wash lentils. Cook in boiling water 5-6 minutes or until just tender. Rinse and drain well. Combine with the other salad ingredients. Add the dressing; mix well and let marinate at least overnight. Stir before serving.

RICE, RED LENTIL, AND WHEAT BERRY SALAD

Steps:

• Soak the wheat berries overnight, or, as an alternative, place them in a saucepan half filled with water and boil them for 2 minutes, then remove them from the heat and let sit 1 hour. In either case, drain them, then refill the saucepan halfway with water and cook the wheat berries, partially covered, for 1 hour. When done, the wheat berries will be tender but slightly crunchy. Drain them thoroughly and let them cool.
• Bring 2 cups of water, the canola oil, and salt to a boil in a mediumsize saucepan. Stir in the lentils and rice and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and cook for 17 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed. Do not stir the mixture at all while it is cooking. Carefully spoon the mixture into a large bowl and let cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile combine the dressing ingredients in a jar with a tightfitting lid and shake vigorously. Set aside.
• When the rice mixture is completely cooled, use a large spoon to break up any clumps that have formed. Carefully stir in the wheat berries, carrot, red pepper, and parsley. Pour the dressing on the salad and toss. Let marinate at least 20 minutes before serving. (Note The rice greedily soaks up the dressing, so if you want to make this salad 2 to 24 hours in advance, pour on only half the dressing at first, then add the remainder about 20 minutes before serving.)

RED LENTIL SALAD WITH FRESH HERBS

Steps:

• Bring vegetable stock to a boil in a saucepan and add drained lentils. Stir and reduce to a simmer. Simmer uncovered, for 7 to 8 minutes. Lentils will be slightly undercooked. Drain, and allow to cool, about 30 minutes.
• Place cooled lentils in a large mixing bowl and add minced fresh parsley and mint. Add white parts of the green onions, reserving the chopped greens for the garnish. Add tomatoes.
• Combine extra-virgin olive oil and zest and juice of a lemon in a small bowl. Stir to combine, then pour over the salad and toss. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, before serving.
• Before serving, taste and add salt, if desired. Garnish with reserved chopped green tops of green onions.

RED POTATO AND LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Toss potatoes, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and salt together in a 9x13-inch baking dish until coated.
• Bake until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork, about 35 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring lentils, water, and salt to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until lentils are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain. Combine potatoes, lentils, red bell pepper, and green onions in a large bowl.
• Whisk yogurt, Dijon mustard, cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and turbinado sugar together; drizzle over potato mixture and toss to combine. Season with salt and black pepper.

RED LENTIL AND WATERCRESS SALAD

Steps:

• Place red lentils in a colander and pick out any stray bits. Rinse with water and drain.
• Place lentils,in saucepan with water. Bring water to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Let lentils simmer 5 minutes then add onions, carrots and simmer an additional 10 minutes until lentils are tender. Drain but do not rinse the lentils, carrots and onion.
• While the lentils are simmering whisk together the vinegar, oil, mustard and garlic in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Once the lentils are drained, add watercress and lentils to the dressing and toss until well coated.
• Serve immediately.

RED LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Toast the almonds in a heavy skillet over medium heat until they are golden and very aromatic, 5-6 minutes. Roughly chop them and set aside.
• Put the lentils in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Cook until they are just barely tender and still quite red, about 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process. Shake out all excess water and then put the lentils into a large bowl.
• Pour the oil in a skillet and when hot, add the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the garam masala, cumin, mustard, cardamom and coriander seeds and cook for 1 minute. Add the lime juice and pour over the lentils. Add the carrots, radish, red peppers, cilantro and mint. Season with salt and pepper and toss well to combine.
• Line a serving platter with overlapping lettuce leaves. Mount the lentil salad over them. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and serve.

RED LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Toast the almonds in a heavy skillet over medium heat until they are golden and very aromatic, 5 to 6 minutes. Roughly chop them and set aside.
• Put the lentils in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Place over medium-high heat, bring to a boil and cook until they are just barely tender and still quite red, about 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process. Shake out all excess water, and then put the lentils into a large bowl.
• Pour the oil into a skillet and, when it is hot, add the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the garam masala, cumin, mustard, cardamom and coriander seeds and cook for 1 minute. Add the lime juice, and then pour over the lentils. Then add the carrots, radishes, red peppers, cilantro and mint. Season with salt and pepper and toss well to combine.
• Line a serving platter with overlapping lettuce leaves. Mound the lentil salad over them. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and serve.

RED LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Boil lentil in high heat. For red lentil 5-10 min (~8 min). For green lentil, 20-30 min (~25 min). Drain well. Pour dressing to warm lentil. Toss in the rest.

SPICY RED LENTIL SALAD WITH PICKLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• For the lentils: Set a large saucepan over high heat. Add the lentils and toast in the dry pan until they just turn in color a little (this will give the finished lentils a little texture), 20 to 30 seconds. Add 3 1/2 cups water, the cumin, red pepper flakes, bay leaf and some salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the lentils are tender and all the liquid has been absorbed, about 12 minutes. Pour the lentils out onto a flat platter in a thin layer so they cool faster and don't get too soft. Cool in the refrigerator for 5 minutes.
• For the salad: Drain the giardiniera, reserving 1 tablespoon of the pickling juice, and roughly chop. Wash the arugula and dry well.
• For the vinaigrette: In a large mixing bowl, make a quick vinaigrette by combining the reserved pickling juice with the red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, and some salt and pepper. While whisking, add the olive oil to emulsify.
• Assemble the salad in a large bowl by folding the giardiniera in with the lentils. Dress lightly with the vinaigrette and serve immediately over the arugula.

ARUGULA, LENTIL, WHITE BEAN, RED ONION SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the lentils in boiling water until al dente, about 25 min.
• In a large bowl add Lite Italian dressing, lemon zest, toasted almonds, salt and pepper if needed.
• Add the cooked French green lentils, white cannellini beans, thinly sliced red onions, cut Arugula and mix well. This is a low calorie salad and very filling. I have added a small sliced chicken breast or fish on the top of this salad. Makes a wonderful healthy meal. Feta Cheese can be added as well. Keeping the calories down and enough calories left over for a small dish if dessert.

LENTIL & RED PEPPER SALAD WITH A SOFT EGG

Steps:

• Boil the eggs for 6 mins, then quickly cool under cold running water and peel off the shells. Tip the lentils into a bowl with the onion, red pepper and balsamic vinegar. Mix well.
• Put the salad onto a serving dish, then pile the rocket on top. Drizzle with the oil, then halve the eggs and sit them on top of the salad.