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Lentil salad is a fantastic single serving lunch or light dinner option that’s packed with protein and flavor. This recipe features hearty lentils tossed in a simple vinaigrette and served over a bed of fresh greens, with juicy tomatoes and creamy avocado slices adding bursts of color and taste. It’s incredibly easy to make and requires minimal effort – perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving a healthy and satisfying meal for one.
Enjoy this versatile lentil salad as a standalone dish or pair it with flavorful Baked Chicken Thighs, juicy Broiled Chicken, or alongside Creamy Tomato Soup. It’s also perfect when topped with succulent Baked Salmon or enjoyed with a slice of crusty French Bread to absorb the delightful dressing.
Why You’ll Love This Lentil Salad Recipe
- Packed with Protein: Lentils are a fantastic source of plant-based protein, keeping you feeling full and energized.
- Easy to Make: This recipe requires minimal ingredients and cooking time, making it perfect for quick and easy meals.
- Customizable: Feel free to add your favorite vegetables, herbs, or cheeses to personalize the salad according to your taste.
- Affordable: Lentils are a budget-friendly ingredient, making this salad a cost-effective and nutritious choice.
- Deliciously Versatile: This salad can be enjoyed warm or cold, making it perfect for any season or occasion.
Check out our other Single Serving Salad ideas!
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this lentil salad recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Lentils: I recommend using brown lentils for this salad. They cook in about 20 minutes and maintain their shape well. Green lentils are also an option but take a bit longer to cook. Avoid red and orange lentils, as they tend to lose their shape when cooked.
- Onions and Garlic: Adding finely chopped onions and garlic is crucial for infusing the lentils with rich flavor. They’re key ingredients, so try not to skip them.
- Seasonings: Use dried thyme, salt, and black pepper for simple yet effective seasoning.
- Olive Oil: The recipe calls for extra virgin olive oil, known for its robust flavor and high quality. It’s less processed, retaining more of the natural flavors and nutrients of olives. However, if you prefer, a lighter olive oil can be used as a substitute.
- Red Wine Vinegar and Dijon Mustard: These add a zesty and tangy flavor to the salad, enhancing the overall taste.
- Lettuce: You have options here – romaine, arugula, iceberg, or spinach. Choose any as the salad base depending on your preference.
- Tomatoes and Avocado: These are added to enrich the salad with fresh, juicy textures and flavors.
Recipe Variations
- Mediterranean Lentil Salad: Add crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, chopped red onion, and chopped cucumber.
- Roasted Vegetable Lentil Salad: Introduce a rich depth of flavor by adding roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant. Roasting these veggies brings out their natural sweetness, which complements the savory profile of the salad.
- Sweet and Crunchy Lentil Salad: For a unique sweet and savory combination, toss in some dried cranberries or chopped apples. The sweetness of the fruit balances the savory notes of the lentils, while adding a pleasant crunch.
- Lentil Salad With Nuts: Add a handful of toasted nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pine nuts for a delightful crunch and a nutty taste. This adds not only texture but also healthy fats and proteins.
How To Make A Lentil Salad
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
Cooking Lentils
- Start with Lentils: Begin by combining lentils and water in a pot. Add in chopped onions, garlic, a pinch of dried thyme, and a little salt.
- Cooking Process: Bring the pot to a boil, then lower the heat to let it simmer. This should take about 20 minutes.
- Finishing Touch: Once the lentils are tender, drain any remaining water and allow them to cool down.
Making the Dressing
- Dressing Preparation: In a separate bowl, mix together olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix with Lentils: Drizzle this dressing over the cooled lentils and toss them gently to ensure they’re well coated.
Salad Assembly
- Laying the Foundation: Arrange your favorite salad greens on a plate.
- Adding the Core: Spoon the dressed lentils over the greens.
- Final Toppings: Complete the salad by adding fresh tomato halves and avocado slices on top.
Expert Tips
- Lentil Prep: Rinse the lentils thoroughly and check for any small stones or debris.
- Dressing Balance: Taste as you go and adjust the vinegar and mustard to suit your preference.
- Chill the Lentils: Allow the cooked lentils to cool down before mixing with the salad greens to maintain their crispness.
- Avocado Freshness: Add the avocado right before serving to prevent browning.
- Seasoning: Don’t forget to season each component, including the lentils and dressing, for a well-rounded flavor.
- Feel free to experiment: Get creative and add other ingredients like chopped nuts, crumbled cheese, or your favorite herbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can prepare the lentils and dressing ahead and assemble before serving.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Add avocado fresh.
Absolutely, just drain and rinse them well.
Yes, this salad is naturally gluten-free.
Explore More Single Serving Salad Recipes
Looking for more delicious single serving salad options? Here are a few ideas:
- Classic Favorites: Reimagine classic salads like potato salad, cucumber salad, cobb salad in a single serving format for a familiar and satisfying lunch or light dinner.
- Pasta Perfection: Enjoy the delightful combination of pasta and vegetables with single servings of Italian pasta salad or spinach and orzo salad.
- Creamy Delights: Indulge in creamy comfort with single sized portions of macaroni salad.
- Tex-Mex Twist: Spice things up with a single serving of taco salad.
- Garden Goodness: Embrace fresh flavors with a single serving of broccoli salad.
- Fruity Twist: Savor a sweet and refreshing option with a single serving of ambrosia salad.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
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For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
RELATED: 20 Single Serving Meatless Recipes
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Lentil Salad For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown lentils
- 1 cup water
- ⅛ cup chopped onions
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- ⅛ teaspoon dried thyme
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
For the Dressing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
For the Salad
- 2 cups salad greens (romaine, spinach, or arugula are wonderful choices)
- 6 cherry or grape tomatoes , sliced in half
- 1 small avocado , sliced
Instructions
Cook the Lentils
- Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the lentils, water, chopped onions, minced garlic, thyme, and salt.
- Boil and Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the lentils simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Drain and Cool: After simmering, drain any excess water from the lentils and set them aside to cool down.
Make the Dressing
- Mix Dressing: In a small bowl, vigorously whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, and a dash each of salt and pepper.
- Combine with Lentils: Pour the dressing over the cooled lentils and gently toss until they are evenly coated.
Assemble the Salad
- Layer Salad Base: Start by placing your choice of lettuce on a plate as the salad base.
- Add Lentils and Toppings: Spoon the dressed lentils over the lettuce. Then, add the halved tomatoes and avocado slices on top.
Notes
- Lentil Prep: Rinse the lentils thoroughly and check for any small stones or debris.
- Dressing Balance: Taste as you go and adjust the vinegar and mustard to suit your preference.
- Chill the Lentils: Allow the cooked lentils to cool down before mixing with the salad greens to maintain their crispness.
- Avocado Freshness: Add the avocado right before serving to prevent browning.
- Seasoning: Don’t forget to season each component, including the lentils and dressing, for a well-rounded flavor.
- Feel free to experiment: Get creative and add other ingredients like chopped nuts, crumbled cheese, or your favorite herbs.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Is it possible to make this salad with green lentis as I have not seen brown in the UK.
Green lentils are a great substitute but they may take a bit longer to cook.
This salad is fabulous. I have made 3 times in 2 weeks. I love as is! I did add carrot once and that was equally delicious. Thank you for your small batch recipes!
Easy to make and so satisfying on a hot summer day!
Very simple and easy recipe. Especially great for summer days when you don’t want to heat up the oven!
I love lentils and agree that this is such a simple recipe. Thank you