Padma's Lentil Salad

Bursting with vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients, Padma's Lentil Salad is the ultimate fusion of nutrition and deliciousness. Featuring tender green or brown lentils paired with crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fragrant fresh herbs like parsley and mint, this dish is a feast for the senses. The zesty lemon-olive oil dressing, brightened with warm notes of ground cumin and coriander, ties the salad together, offering a perfect balance of tang and spice. Optional crumbled feta cheese adds a creamy, salty finish that elevates each bite. Ready in just 40 minutes, this refreshing salad is ideal as a light lunch, a healthy side dish, or a vegan-friendly (minus the feta!) addition to your dinner table. Packed with fiber, protein, and Mediterranean-inspired flavors, it’s the perfect summer salad that can be prepped ahead for meal planning or entertaining.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry green or brown lentils
• 3 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium cucumber, diced
• 0.25 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon ground coriander
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils thoroughly under cold water using a fine mesh sieve.

Step 2

In a medium pot, combine the lentils, water, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 3

Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but not mushy.

Step 4

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

Step 5

While the lentils are cooling, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and finely chop the red onion, parsley, and mint.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled lentils, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and mint.

Step 7

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, ground cumin, ground coriander, black pepper, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Step 8

Pour the dressing over the lentil mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.

Step 9

If using feta cheese, sprinkle it over the salad and give it one last gentle toss.

Step 10

Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1534.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1063.1

Total Fat 72.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 106.8mg	0%
Sodium 3786.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 69.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.4g	0%
Total Sugars 16.2g
Protein 41.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 905.4mg	0%
Iron 13.9mg	0%
Potassium 2127.9mg	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: 59.4%

Protein: 15.2%

Carbs: 25.4%