Lentil Quinoa Salad

Elevate your mealtime with this vibrant and nutrient-packed Lentil Quinoa Salad, a perfect blend of wholesome ingredients and bold flavors. This easy-to-make salad features fluffy quinoa, protein-rich lentils, and crisp, colorful vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red bell pepper, all tossed in a zesty garlic-lemon dressing. A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a burst of herbal freshness, while optional feta cheese crumbles lend a creamy, tangy finish. Ready in just 35 minutes, this versatile recipe is perfect as a refreshing side dish, a light vegetarian main, or a meal prep option that keeps well for days. Packed with plant-based protein and fiber, this salad is both delicious and incredibly nutritious, making it an ideal addition to any healthy eating plan.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Quinoa
• 2 cups Water
• 1.5 cups Cooked lentils
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium Cucumber
• 1 medium Red bell pepper
• 0.25 medium Red onion
• 0.5 cup Fresh parsley
• 0.5 cup Feta cheese crumbles (optional)
• 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove Garlic
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh sieve to remove any bitterness.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and the water has been absorbed.

Step 3

Remove the quinoa from heat, fluff with a fork, and let it cool completely.

Step 4

While the quinoa is cooling, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, finely chop the red onion, and roughly chop the parsley.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, cooked lentils, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and parsley. If using, add the feta cheese crumbles.

Step 6

To make the dressing, mince the garlic clove and whisk it together with olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar.

Step 7

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated.

Step 8

Adjust seasoning to taste and serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 3 days for flavors to meld before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1698.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1735.6

Total Fat 83.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 106.8mg	0%
Sodium 3888.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 182.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 30.5g	0%
Total Sugars 21.4g
Protein 73.0g	0%

Vitamin D 51.3IU	0%
Calcium 818.3mg	0%
Iron 18.8mg	0%
Potassium 2549.4mg	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: 42.2%

Protein: 16.5%

Carbs: 41.3%