Mediterranean Lentil Salad
This Mediterranean Lentil Salad is full of bold flavors from tender lentils, juicy tomatoes, crisp vegetables, briny olives, feta cheese, and fresh herbs, all tossed in a light lemony dressing. Serve it as a flavorful side dish or enjoy it with pita bread and hummus for a satisfying lunch.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked french black or green lentils
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives halved {you will want to use pitted olives-you can use any olive of your choice}
- 1/3 cup roasted red peppers drained, chopped {try fire roasted for nice flavor}
- 1/2 of a small red onion diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 red bell pepper seeds removed, diced {or color of your choice}
- 1/2 of an english cucumber diced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese {optional or try goat cheese}
- Handful of fresh mint chopped
- Handful of fresh parsley chopped
- 4 green onions chopped
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 lemon juiced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional spices: 1 to 2 teaspoons of any spice you like {try sumac za'atar or oregano}
Instructions
- Cook the lentils according to the package. Drain and set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl mix together the lentils, olives, roasted red peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, feta cheese, mint, parsley and green onions.
- In a large mason jar or salad dressing container add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic and whisk together. Add salt and pepper to taste and 1 teaspoon of an additional spice if you like {try sumac, za'atar, oregano}. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat with the dressing.
- Serve with hummus and pita bread or use this salad as a topping for pita wraps, hummus plates or falafel.
Notes
- This salad will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days in an air tight container.
- This salad is easily modified to your tastes. Try adding artichokes, different vegetables, green olives, fire roasted tomatoes or goat cheese.
Nutrition
Serving: 6g | Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 346mg | Potassium: 221mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 968IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 111mg | Iron: 3mg