This lentil salad recipe is my ideal winter lunch. It’s fresh and filled with veggies, but it’s hearty and satisfying at the same time. Curry spices and a zippy cilantro lime dressing infuse it with bright, bold flavor, and cubes of roasted paneer cheese and crisp turmeric cauliflower give it unexpected complexity and texture. Furthermore (yes, there’s more!), it’s flexible and easy to make, and it still tastes great after a few days in the fridge! Serve it as a side dish or prep it on a Sunday for lunches all week, but no matter what, make this lentil salad recipe. We’ve had it on repeat for the last few weeks, and we still can’t get enough. I think you’ll love it too!
Lentil Salad Recipe Ingredients
Ready to try this lentil salad recipe? Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
French green lentils – Unlike regular green or brown lentils, French green lentils hold their shape when cooked, and they have a nice al dente bite. If you can’t find French green lentils, you can substitute black Beluga lentils, but any other lentil variety would be too mushy for this recipe! Read more about the different types of lentils here. Paneer – Cubes of roasted paneer add a rich, savory, and chewy element to this salad. If you’re not familiar with paneer, it’s a fresh Indian cheese. Look for it in the cheese section of your grocery store. I find mine at Whole Foods! Cilantro lime dressing – I blend serrano chiles into my regular cilantro lime dressing to give this salad some heat. If you don’t like spice, just use one pepper here, but I make mine with two for extra kick! Cumin, cardamom, ginger, and garlic – Mixed into a simple dressing with lemon juice, these seasonings infuse the cooked lentils with delicious curry flavor. Chopped spinach – It makes this lentil salad extra fresh! Roasted cauliflower – It adds the perfect light crunch! I toss the cauliflower with ground turmeric while it’s still warm from the oven, which gives it a vibrant yellow color and amps up the other curry seasonings here.
How to Make Lentil Salad
To make this recipe, start by cooking the lentils. When the lentils are tender, drain them and toss them with olive oil, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, cumin, and cardamom while they’re still warm. Then, blend up the dressing, and stir 1/3 of it into the lentil mixture. Meanwhile, roast the paneer and cauliflower until they’re crisp and browned around the edges. Toss the cauliflower with the ground turmeric while it’s still hot from the oven! Finally, assemble the salad. Stir the chopped spinach into the lentils, and top it all with the paneer and cauliflower. Drizzle more dressing over the salad, and serve!
Lentil Salad Recipe Tips
Make it ahead. This recipe is a fantastic make-ahead lunch, and as written, it keeps well in the fridge for up to two days. If you plan to prep it multiple days in advance, skip the spinach, and use finely chopped kale in its place. Alternatively, wait to stir in the spinach until you’re ready to eat (or before you head out the door on the morning you’re taking it for lunch). Check out this post for more healthy lunch ideas and this one for more meal prep tips! Don’t forget the lime! I like this lentil salad best when it’s super bright, so I serve it with extra cilantro lime dressing on the side. If you’re packing it for lunch, tuck a lime wedge into your container. Squeeze it over the lentils right before you eat for extra fresh, zesty flavor! Change it up. This lentil salad recipe is flexible, so feel free to play with it! Instead of cauliflower, try roasted broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, or even regular potatoes. Add some chopped green or red onion, or swap arugula for the spinach. If you can’t find paneer, use halloumi in its place, or top your salad with crumbled feta cheese. For a yummy vegan variation, substitute cubes of baked tofu. Let me know what variations you try!
More Hearty Salad Recipes
If you love this lentil salad recipe, try one of these hearty salads next:
Easy Pasta Salad Best Broccoli Salad Kale Salad with Carrot-Ginger Dressing Caesar Salad Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Or check out this post for more delicious salad ideas!
