Lentil Salad with Bacon and Frise

Earthy, hearty, and elevated with smoky indulgence, this Lentil Salad with Bacon and Frisée is a sophisticated twist on a classic French bistro favorite. Tender green or brown lentils simmered with aromatic bay leaf become the base of this warm salad, while crispy thick-cut bacon adds a mouthwatering crunch and depth of flavor. Tossed with peppery frisée and a tangy Dijon vinaigrette—enhanced with a touch of bacon fat for extra richness—this dish delivers a perfect balance of health and indulgence. Finished with fresh parsley for brightness, it’s an easy yet elegant option for a lunch, light dinner, or side. Ready in just 45 minutes, this high-protein salad is the perfect way to elevate your weeknight cooking with bold flavors and minimal effort.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Green or brown lentils
• 4 cups Water or chicken stock
• 1 piece Bay leaf
• 4 slices Thick-cut bacon
• 4 cups Frisée (curly endive), chopped
• 1 medium Shallot, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons Red wine vinegar
• 4 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils under cold water and pick out any debris.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the lentils, water or chicken stock, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain and discard the bay leaf.

Step 3

While the lentils are cooking, slice the bacon into small pieces. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, and reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat from the skillet.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the shallot, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, olive oil, reserved bacon fat, salt, and black pepper to make the vinaigrette.

Step 5

Once the lentils are slightly cooled, add them to the bowl with the vinaigrette and toss to coat.

Step 6

Add the frisée, cooked bacon, and parsley to the bowl with the lentils. Gently toss everything together until evenly combined.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 8

Serve the salad warm or at room temperature in individual bowls or on a platter. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1760.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1100.3

Total Fat 83.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 16.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 42.9mg	0%
Sodium 2499.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 60.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 30.1g	0%
Total Sugars 6.2g
Protein 31.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 360.1mg	0%
Iron 14.2mg	0%
Potassium 2564.4mg	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: 67.1%

Protein: 11.2%

Carbs: 21.7%