Warm Cucumber Tomato Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinaigret

Elevate your salad game with this Warm Cucumber Tomato Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette—a wholesome dish bursting with vibrant colors and bold flavors. Perfectly cooked brown or green lentils form a hearty base, while crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and zesty red onion add refreshing texture. Tossed in a tangy-sweet homemade balsamic vinaigrette featuring honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and garlic, this salad is the epitome of healthful indulgence. Fresh parsley brings a hint of herbaceous brightness, and optional crumbled feta cheese adds a creamy, savory touch. Ready in just 35 minutes, this warm lentil salad is as versatile as it is satisfying—perfect as a nutritious main or a flavorful side dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Brown or green lentils
• 3 cups Water
• 1 medium Cucumber
• 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes
• 0.5 small Red onion
• 0.5 cup Fresh parsley
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove Garlic
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 cup Feta cheese (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils under running water. In a medium saucepan, combine the lentils and water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 2

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

While the lentils cook, dice the cucumber and halve the cherry tomatoes. Finely chop the red onion and parsley.

Step 4

In a small bowl, prepare the balsamic vinaigrette by whisking together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.

Step 5

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

Step 6

Pour the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad and toss until well combined.

Step 7

Serve the salad warm. Optionally, top with crumbled feta cheese for added creaminess and flavor.

Step 8

Enjoy this salad as a main dish or a side for a variety of meals.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1640.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1100.1

Total Fat 70.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 106.8mg	0%
Sodium 2718.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 80.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.6g	0%
Total Sugars 28.1g
Protein 40.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 815.9mg	0%
Iron 11.3mg	0%
Potassium 2067.5mg	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: 56.8%

Protein: 14.5%

Carbs: 28.7%