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Mediterranean Lentil Salad Recipe

Mediterranean Lentil Salad Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 24 reviews

This Mediterranean Lentil Salad is a vibrant and wholesome dish featuring tender lentils, fresh vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty citrus dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a side dish, it combines the earthy flavors of lentils with the brightness of fresh herbs and citrus, making it a refreshing and nutritious choice for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Lentils

  • 1 cup dry lentils (green, brown, or black)
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 bay leaf

Vegetables & Cheese

  • 1 medium cucumber, cut into 1/4-in cubes
  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1–1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives, halved
  • 1/2 cup diced roasted red peppers
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Herbs & Seasonings

  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Rinse Lentils: Place lentils in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse well under cold water, removing any imperfect or bad lentils to ensure quality and texture.
  2. Cook Lentils: In a medium pot, combine lentils, water, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 18-25 minutes until lentils are tender but not mushy.
  3. Drain and Cool: Drain lentils, discard the bay leaf, and transfer the lentils to a large bowl. Allow them to cool completely in the refrigerator.
  4. Combine Salad Ingredients: Once lentils are cooled, add cucumber, red onion, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, crumbled feta cheese, dried oregano, and fresh mint to the bowl. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
  5. Make Citrus Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and honey until smooth. Slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil while whisking continuously to emulsify the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  7. Chill and Serve: Store the salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve. This salad can be served chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy your fresh and healthy Mediterranean Lentil Salad!

Notes

  • Choose lentil varieties like green, brown, or black for best results.
  • Don’t overcook lentils to avoid mushy texture; they should be tender but firm.
  • The salad can be made a few hours ahead and stored in the refrigerator to enhance flavors.
  • For a vegan option, omit the feta cheese or replace it with a plant-based alternative.
  • Adjust the honey and citrus juice amounts according to your taste preference.
  • Serve as a main dish for a light meal or as a side dish to grilled meats or fish.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mediterranean Lentil Salad, Lentil Salad, Healthy Salad, Vegetarian Salad, Mediterranean Diet, Lentils, Summer Salad, Easy Salad Recipe

Find it online: https://reemcook.com/mediterranean-lentil-salad-recipe/