A straightforward vegan recipe for marinated lentil salad with sun-dried tomatoes is of course gluten-free and an ideal facet dish for lunch or dinner! You should use brown or inexperienced lentils made within the Instantaneous Pot or stovetop!
My household and I are principally plant-based, so we eat principally crops and look at meat as a facet dish.
Not solely does this save us cash, however it additionally means we get PLENTY of fruit and veggies in our diets!
Nonetheless, it might typically be tough to hit our each day grams of protein when consuming plant-based recipes.
We love my Spicy Citrus Black Bean Recipe and my Black Bean and Corn Salsa, however what if we tire of black beans?
These lentil salads with sun-dried tomatoes are the right reply!
This dish combines scrumptious flavors like Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and sun-dried tomatoes with lentils to create a wholesome lentil salad. Above all, this dish is an effective way to include extra wholesome consuming into your weight-reduction plan and makes for a simple weeknight meal!
MY FAVORITE MARINATED LENTIL SALAD RECIPE
If I need a lentil recipe that’s worthy sufficient to face alone subsequent to scrumptious Oven-Roasted Hen or Greek Quinoa Salad, then that is the recipe I choose each time. My favourite lentil salad is:
- Fast & Simple. Prepared in beneath quarter-hour!
- Makes GREAT leftovers!
- It makes use of primary elements I all the time have in my pantry.
- Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
- The proper addition to a salad or as the primary protein for a vegetarian meal.
- Lentils have a ton of well being advantages, like decreasing blood strain and glucose ranges!
This wonderful lentil salad is so good we don’t even miss meat on meatless nights!
INGREDIENTS FOR THE BEST GREEN LENTIL SALAD
The ingredient record may appear lengthy, however it comes collectively shortly, and also you in all probability have already got every little thing within the kitchen!
- Lentils (I like a mixture of inexperienced and black) – Yow will discover lentils at nearly any grocery retailer!
- Purple wine vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Dijon mustard (or brown mustard or spicy mustard)
- Maple syrup
- Salt & Black Pepper
- Dried parsley
- Solar-dried tomatoes (in oil)
I actually like the feel mixture of inexperienced lentils and black lentils, however you may simply use all French inexperienced lentils and even brown lentils if you need.
Don’t use crimson lentils for salad, although, since they mainly disintegrate and get mushy once they’re cooked. (They’re PERFECT in my crimson lentil soup recipe!)
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST LENTILS FOR SALAD
It’s humorous to think about this as a salad, though it doesn’t have lettuce… however then once more, my Vegetable Greek Salad and Quinoa Vegetable Salad don’t have any lettuce both!
The most effective lentil salad comes collectively in simply 3 easy steps:
Step 1: To start with, put together your lentils as directed in a big pot, Instantaneous Pot, or sluggish cooker (see beneath for cooking choices).
Step 2: Right now, put together the marinade in a small bowl by mixing vinegar, lemon juice, dijon mustard, maple syrup, dried parsley, sun-dried tomatoes, salt, and black.
Step 3: As soon as the lentils are carried out, drain them. Then combine with the marinade in a giant bowl. Lastly, serve heat or let the flavors meld at room temperature for 20 minutes.
TIPS FOR MAKING MARINATED LENTIL SALAD
- Cook dinner the lentils al dente so they preserve their agency texture.
- Leftovers are good within the fridge for a number of days!
- Be sure to use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil. The residual oil is required so as to add moisture to the lentil salad! If the salad appears dry, add slightly further virgin olive oil.
- Make a giant batch for meal prep or to eat with different meals all through the week!
- Add some candy potatoes and different recent veggies for a good heartier meal!
- Sprinkle some crimson pepper flakes or chili powder for an additional kick!
Extra Methods to Make A Mediterranean Lentil Salad Recipe
For those who just like the style of extra recent elements in your lentil salad toss in any of the next:
- Finely diced crimson onion
- Diced crimson bell pepper
- Chopped recent mint or recent basil or different herbs
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Diced cucumber
- Halved cherry tomatoes
- Sliced or entire Kalamata olives
- Whisk collectively a easy lemon dressing with olive oil, recent lemon juice, lemon zest, and minced garlic.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO COOK LENTILS?
There are 3 methods you may make this recipe:
- Stovetop Methodology – The basic stovetop technique is a tried-and-true option to cook dinner lentils. Merely rinse your lentils, place them in a pot with water or broth, allow them to boil, after which simmer gently till tender. This technique permits you to management the cooking time and texture, whether or not you favor al dente lentils for salads or comfortable and creamy lentils for soups and stews.
- Instantaneous Pot Methodology – For those who’re in a time crunch or searching for hands-off cooking, the Instantaneous Pot is your buddy. This strain cooker cooks lentils to perfection in a fraction of the time. Simply add your lentils and liquid, set the timer, and let the equipment work its wonders.
- Gradual Cooker Methodology – Let the sluggish cooker work its magic because it slowly transforms lentils into melt-in-your-mouth goodness. In truth, this technique is ideal for individuals who benefit from the hands-off method to cooking. Merely mix your lentils with liquid and any desired seasonings within the crock pot then set it to low warmth. Lastly, let the lentils simmer and develop their flavors over a number of hours.
FAQS ABOUT LENTIL SALAD
Completely, you don’t wish to solely eat plant protein. As a substitute, including some floor beef, turkey, or shredded hen is a good concept!
Sure! I favor this recipe served heat or lukewarm, however as soon as lentils are cooked, you may eat them chilly.
Canned lentils are cooked. They must be rinsed and drained 3 times, similar to canned beans. You should use them on this recipe as an alternative of freshly cooked lentils. If you wish to serve this dish heat, warmth up the lentils in a small pot earlier than including to the marinade.
OTHER EASY HEALTHY MEATLESS MEALS
In conclusion, lentils are an ideal supply of plant-based protein, which is why it’s considered one of my favourite lentil recipes! This plant-based meal has all of the protein my household and I would like with out spending a lot on animal-based meats. Moreover, with the spices’ comforting flavors and the lentils’ heartiness, this straightforward recipe will go away you feeling full and happy for hours. Even choosy eaters will probably be begging you to make this scrumptious dish!
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Marinated Lentils with Solar-dried Tomatoes
A straightforward vegan recipe for marinated lentil salad with sun-dried tomatoes – an ideal facet dish! Can use brown or inexperienced lentils made within the Instantaneous pot or range!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook dinner Time: 20 minutes
- Complete Time: half-hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Class: Sides
- Methodology: Stovetop
- Delicacies: American
- Food regimen: Vegetarian
Directions
- Cook dinner the lentils in accordance with the instructions on the bundle. Alternatively, you may observe my Instantaneous Pot lentils recipe for inexperienced or brown lentils.
- In the meantime, put together the marinade. Chop the sun-dried tomatoes in the event that they’re bigger than ½”. Mix the tomatoes with the remaining marinade elements in a medium bowl and stir properly.
- When the lentils are carried out, drain utilizing a steel strainer and add the lentils to the marinade. Stir properly and serve instantly, or as desired.
Notes
There are 3 methods to make this recipe:
- Stovetop Methodology – The basic stovetop technique is a tried-and-true option to cook dinner lentils. Merely rinse your lentils, place them in a pot with water or broth, allow them to boil, after which simmer gently till tender. This technique permits you to management the cooking time and texture, whether or not you favor al dente lentils for salads or comfortable and creamy lentils for soups and stews.
- Instantaneous Pot Methodology – For those who’re in a time crunch or searching for hands-off cooking, the Instantaneous Pot is your buddy. This strain cooker cooks lentils to perfection in a fraction of the time. Simply add your lentils and liquid, set the timer, and let the equipment work its wonders.
- Gradual Cooker Methodology – Let the sluggish cooker work its magic because it slowly transforms lentils into melt-in-your-mouth goodness. In truth, this technique is ideal for individuals who benefit from the hands-off method to cooking. Merely mix your lentils with liquid and any desired seasonings within the crock pot then set it to low warmth. Lastly, let the lentils simmer and develop their flavors over a number of hours.
