Lentil Salad

This easy and delicious Mint Lentil Salad is refreshing and satisfying, and one of the best ways to enjoy lentils! With simple, fresh ingredients like fresh mint, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese, ordinary lentils are transformed into an incredibly delicious and healthy dish.

There are many, many ways to make a lentil salad, but you have come to the right place if you want to make the best lentil salad! Perfectly cooked lentils, fresh vegetables, and plenty of fresh herbs like parsley and mint are the starting point for this salad.

Combine that with bell peppers, red onion, and an easy homemade lemon dressing, and you’ll have the most unique, flavorful salad with healthy and nutritious lentils.

Enjoy this vegan salad for lunch, or dinner, or make it ahead of time for easy meal prep!

Love lentils? Be sure to try my Instant Pot Lentil Soup Recipe and my Vegan Shepherd’s Pie packed with lentils and mushrooms.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. A Healthy Vegetarian Meal – While salads can sometimes be a side dish, green lentil salad can be a meal on its own! Lentils are a great source of plant protein, fiber, and iron, making this salad a healthy option that is meatless and delicious.
2. Versatile Recipe – You can add your own spin to this recipe by including your favorite veggies, or tossing in whatever produce you have on hand. Almost anything can be delicious with this delicious dressing.
3. Easy to Make – I’ll teach you how to cook the tastiest lentils and put together this simple salad in just a few minutes! Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring or difficult when you know how to make lentil salad.

Ingredients In Lentil Salad

Here’s what you need to make this salad recipe:

• Lentils: Green or brown lentils can be used to make this salad. Red lentils are a bit too soft for salad. You can use canned lentils, but I prefer cooking my own – it’s quick and easy to cook them yourself, infused with a bay leaf, and they taste much better.
• Fresh Herbs: Mint and parsley give this salad so much green, herby flavor! I like to chop the leaves coarsely.
• Veggies: Bell Peppers, red onion, and sweet cherry tomatoes add more layers of flavor and lots of crunchy texture.
• Dijon Dressing: Forget bottled salad dressing, and whip up this perfect vinaigrette in just a minute!
• Feta Cheese: Feta pairs perfectly with mint and tomatoes. I strongly suggest buying a block of feta to crumble rather than the pre-crumbled kind.

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

How To Make The Best Lentil Salad

1. Cook the Lentils: Bring 3 cups of water to a boil, then add rinsed lentils and a bay leaf. Cover and reduce the heat to simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Drain well with a mesh sieve, and discard the bay leaf.

1. Assemble the Salad: Add the cooked lentils, cherry tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, parsley, and mint to a large salad bowl.

3. Make the Dressing: Combine lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and whisk until combined and emulsified. You can also make the dressing by shaking it up in a mason jar!
4. Serve: Add the dressing to the salad and gently toss to combine. Top with crumbled feta cheese and serve.

Recipe Tips

• To make red onion less harsh, you can soak the cut onion in cold water while you cook the lentils, or for at least 10 minutes.
• For even more flavor, cook the lentils in vegetable broth instead of water.
• Taste the lentils as you cook them to know when they’re ready. They should be soft and tender, without any crunch. Overcooked lentils will be mushy and not quite right for this salad recipe.
• If you like, try adding a teaspoon of maple syrup to the dressing for a bit of sweetness. A bit of minced garlic would also add a nice touch.
• Instead of mint, you can use fresh basil.
• To make this lentil salad vegan, omit the cheese, or use your favorite vegan cheese crumbles.

Storing Tips

Cooked lentils can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Feel free to make extra!

You can also store the salad in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The herbs and tomatoes will wilt a bit, but the flavors will develop and the salad will taste amazing leftover!

What To Serve With Lentil Salad

This delicious salad with protein-packed lentils is something I make for myself often for lunch or a quick dinner. For even more protein, add cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu.

You don’t necessarily need to add anything to this lentil salad to enjoy it as a satisfying meal, but a side of soft flatbread or pita chips with homemade roasted red pepper hummus would be perfect.

Recipe FAQs

You are going to love this nourishing and delicious Lentil Salad with mint and tomatoes so much! Pin the recipe so you won’t forget how to cook the best lentils and whip up the easiest lemony lentil salad dressing.