Gluten-Free Fresh Mediterranean Lentil Salad

Bursting with vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients, this Gluten-Free Fresh Mediterranean Lentil Salad is the perfect healthy dish for any occasion. Packed with protein-rich green lentils, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and briny kalamata olives, this colorful salad is tossed in a zesty lemon-garlic dressing with a hint of warm cumin. Fresh parsley adds a fragrant herbal note, while optional crumbled feta cheese lends a creamy, tangy finish. It’s an easy-to-make, satisfying recipe that’s naturally gluten-free and ideal for lunch, dinner, or as a refreshing side. Ready in under an hour, this Mediterranean-inspired salad is a delicious way to embrace fresh, simple ingredients while catering to gluten-free diets.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup green lentils
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium cucumber, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 0.5 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 0.5 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 0.5 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils under cold water to remove any dust or debris.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the lentils and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes until lentils are tender but not mushy.

Step 3

Drain the cooked lentils and let them cool to room temperature.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked lentils, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, kalamata olives, and parsley. Toss gently to mix.

Step 5

In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the lentil mixture and toss until all ingredients are well coated.

Step 7

Optionally, add the crumbled feta cheese and gently mix again.

Step 8

Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 9

Serve chilled or at room temperature for an added burst of freshness!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1851.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1462.8

Total Fat 110.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 29.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 106.8mg	0%
Sodium 5681.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 90.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 31.6g	0%
Total Sugars 23.6g
Protein 44.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1004.1mg	0%
Iron 16.9mg	0%
Potassium 2533.7mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 64.8%

Protein: 11.7%

Carbs: 23.5%