Southwestern Lentil Salad

Vibrant, nutritious, and bursting with bold flavors, this Southwestern Lentil Salad is the perfect healthy dish for any occasion. Packed with hearty lentils, protein-rich black beans, sweet corn, and crisp bell peppers, this salad is a colorful medley of freshness and texture. A zesty dressing made with lime juice, olive oil, and warm spices like cumin and chili powder ties everything together, while diced avocado adds a creamy finish. Ready in under an hour, this protein-packed salad is both satisfying and easy to prepare. Perfect as a light lunch, a side dish for BBQs, or a crowd-pleasing potluck option, it’s a gluten-free, vegan-friendly recipe designed to delight!

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry green or brown lentils
• 3 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 0.25 cup red onion, finely diced
• 0.25 cup cilantro, chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 avocado, diced

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils thoroughly under cold water. Add them to a medium-sized pot with 3 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt.

Step 2

Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let the lentils simmer uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender but not mushy.

Step 3

Drain the lentils and let them cool to room temperature.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked lentils, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, and chopped cilantro.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and a pinch of salt (to taste).

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the lentil mixture and toss well to coat all the ingredients.

Step 7

Gently fold in the diced avocado just before serving to prevent it from becoming mushy.

Step 8

Cover and refrigerate for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2073.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1398.9

Total Fat 70.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 10.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2508.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 163.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 55.6g	0%
Total Sugars 30.9g
Protein 48.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 298.3mg	0%
Iron 17.4mg	0%
Potassium 3625.7mg	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: 42.7%

Protein: 13.1%

Carbs: 44.2%