Lentil Salad with Smoked Sausage

Elevate your salad game with this hearty and flavorful Lentil Salad with Smoked Sausage, a perfect balance of earthy lentils, vibrant veggies, and smoky, caramelized sausage. Tender brown or green lentils form the base of this protein-packed dish, complemented by juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp red bell pepper, and a fragrant red onion-parsley duo. The star of the show is the savory smoked sausage, browned to perfection for a rich, satisfying bite. Tossed in a zesty Dijon mustard and red wine vinegar dressing with a hint of sweetness from honey, this salad boasts layers of bold, fresh flavors. Ready in under 45 minutes, this one-bowl wonder is ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish. Serve it slightly chilled or at room temperature and watch it steal the spotlight!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown or green lentils
• 4 cups water
• 8 ounces smoked sausage, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 0.25 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 0.25 cup parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, bring the 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the lentils and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain and let cool slightly.

Step 3

While the lentils cook, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 4

Prepare the vegetables by halving the cherry tomatoes, dicing the red bell pepper, and finely chopping the red onion and parsley.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, honey, remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and black pepper until smooth and emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste if needed.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked lentils, browned sausage, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, and parsley.

Step 7

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

Step 8

Let the salad sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1611.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	628.0

Total Fat 31.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1377.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 67.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.1g	0%
Total Sugars 21.0g
Protein 23.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 277.2mg	0%
Iron 11.7mg	0%
Potassium 2002.4mg	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: 43.4%

Protein: 14.3%

Carbs: 42.3%