Not just another lentil salad….this is Can’t-Stop-Eating-It delish. Made with green lentils, feta, tomatoes, cucumber and drizzled with a beautiful lemon salad dressing. Cooking the lentils in a simple flavoured broth rather than just water or marinating canned lentils in the dressing makes all the difference – you will be amazed!
“OMG! That Lentil Salad!”, my friend exclaimed as we stood shivering in the cold, fully covered head to toe in waterproof gear, throwing toys into the water for our dogs. Prancing out of the way of the spray of ice cold water when they shook right next to us (where else would they do it?), yelling at them if they dared to leap up and touch us.
I realise it’s completely ironic to be talking about a lentil salad when I’m describing a freezing cold winter day at the dog beach, but I think that’s a testament as to how good this salad is – that my friend got so excited about it even though we’re in the height of winter and it should be all about soups and stews.
I really hate blowing my own horn, but truly, I promise, this is not just another lentil salad. And there’s just one little thing I do differently that makes all the difference – cook the lentils in flavoured liquid. 🙂 Nothing fancy here, just adding some vegetable or chicken broth, some fresh or dried herbs, garlic, lemon zest (the juice is used for the dressing) and some floppy celery I found in the fridge.
Try it. You will be amazed. You can eat it plain. Seriously!
I made this recipe with dried lentils which is my preferred way because it soaks up all the flavour while cooking. But I’ve also included directions for how to make canned lentils extra tasty – just warm them up then drizzle with a bit of dressing, leave to soak up the flavour. Works a treat!
I was actually contemplating making this recipe just about how to make the tasty lentils, rather than a salad recipe. But at the last minute, I couldn’t resist all that bright colour and the overall deliciousness of a lentil salad that will wipe away any bad memories you may have of tasteless, soggy lentil salads!
So while I have provided the recipe for this whole salad, I’ve also added notes for other ways to use the flavoured lentils as a side and warm salads.
As for the name? Well, it came about after a lengthy, serious discussion that went something like this (still on that freezing cold winter day at the dog beach):
Me: What should I call it?? Lentil Salad just sounds so meh. Think I can get away with calling it a SEXY Lentil Salad?
My friend: Yes!
And thus the name was born. 😉
Enjoy! – Nagi xx
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Sexy Lentil Salad
Ingredients
Lentils:
- 1 cup / 200g dried green lentils (or other lentils) (Note 1 for canned)
- 1 cup / 200g vegetable or chicken broth (or water + 1 bouillon cube, crumbled)
- 1 1/2 cups / 375 ml water
- 1 large garlic clove , smashed (Note 2)
- Lemon peel (about 1.5 x 5 cm / 3/4 x 2")
- 1 bay leaf , dry or fresh
- 2 sprigs thyme , or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 rib celery , broken into 3 or 4 pieces (or just a handful of leafy fronds)
Salad:
- 250 g / 8oz cherry tomatoes , halved or quartered (Note 3)
- 2 cucumbers , cut into quarters then diced
- 1 red onion , finely diced
- ¼ cup coriander / cilantro , finely chopped
- ¼ cup parsley , finely chopped
- 90 g / 3 oz feta , crumbled (or more!)
- 2 handfuls rocket / arugula lettuce (optional - bed for salad)
Lemon Dressing:
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/3 cup / 85 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 1 tsp sugar, optional
- ½ tsp salt + black pepper
Instructions
- Place Lentil ingredients in a large saucepan over high heat. Bring to simmer then turn down to medium low. Cook for 20 minutes for firm (I like this) or 25 minutes for soft. DO NOT overcook and make it mushy!
- Drain in a colander, pick out celery etc. Rinse VERY quickly just to remove any grit coating the lentils (don't want to rinse away flavour!). Set aside.
- Place Dressing ingredients in a jar, shake well.
- Place lentils, tomato, cucumber, onion, coriander, parsley and some of the feta in a large bowl. Pour over most of the Dressing, then toss.
- Place rocket lettuce on a serving platter. Pile salad on top. Drizzle over remaining Dressing and crumble over feta. Serve! (I like serving with pita bread to stuff it in)
Recipe Notes:
a) Warm side with more stuff: Start by sautéing crushed garlic, finely chopped onion, carrot and celery with oil in a saucepan, then add Lentil ingredients per recipe (skip the garlic and celery) and cook. Drain then serve warm as a terrific side.
b) Warm meal: Follow a) then return to pot, stir through handfuls of baby or chopped spinach, top with fried runny yolk egg and burrata/yoghurt (something wet or salty), drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with paprika and squeeze of lemon.
c) Make a warm salad by adding roasted pumpkin or sweet potato.
d) Make a thin omelette and put spoonfuls of this inside with other stuff like feta/cheese/tomatoes, roll up or fold omelette. 6. Nutrition per serving, assuming 4 servings.
Nutrition Information:
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Sexy Lentil Salad recipe video!
LIFE OF DOZER
The amount of water his fur holds is outrageous. PS It was 8C / 45F on the day I took this.
Hi Nagi,
Thanks for publishing this summery recipe in the heart of southern hemisphere winter. Today (in my part of the northern hemisphere) it was 37 degrees C and our air conditioning was broken for most of the day (inside the house only 27 C, so what am I complaining about?). Because it was so hot inside and out today, this salad was the perfect dinner. Light and refreshing. It was appreciated by all, and even my smallest yet fiercest food critic stated that while he didn’t love it, he would eat it again. What higher praise than that can I ask for? 🙂 (and the A/C is back up and running, so are all feeling more comfortable).
Phew to your AC back up again!!! I don’t have air con and for 1 or 2 days of the year, it is 40C and I DIE! But I can’t complain, every other day is just fine without AC. So pleased you enjoyed this – and didn’t melt when you turned the stove on!! N xx
Nagi, this was delicious. Honestly, my favorite part of this recipe was the dressing. I’m not a huge fan of lentils although I really liked this. Love how your salads always include fresh herbs. We get so many local fresh herbs at markets here in Fl…. That dressing though omg!!! You should file under your dressings file. Fresh, light and fragrant.
Hi Nagi,
I have made the Beef Ragu and the Sexy Lentil salad in the past few days…Just so scrumptious, healthy and fun to make. I can’t wait to cook your dishes. Thanks so much for the inspiration. PS My partner couldn’t believe the beef ragu, he said it was restaurant quality. I could live on the Sexy Lentil Salad, it is the best.
I just love that you call it SEXY Lentil Salad! 😂 I’m so pleased you and your partner enjoyed the ragu too 🙂 N xx
A truly satisfying salad that i will make again and again. Took the liberty to add freshly cooked and diced beetroot for extra crunch and good health. Very sexy. Thanks for your many excellent recipes
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed this Arild! Thanks so much for letting me know – N x
Oh my goodness, raw garlic can cause food poisoning?? I never knew this o: I would keep homemade salad dressing for a month! ( made in big batches at the time)
Sorry to alarm you Lisa! But yes, I hate to say it can. I’m not sure of quantity though so perhaps small amounts in dressings is fine. I just err on the side of caution! N xx
I appreciate the info Nagi! Decades of cooking with garlic and I did not know. I’ll be mindful when I next make that dressing and freeze what doesn’t get used!
If you roast garlic and use it in the dressing, would that have a longer “shelf” life?
Hi Nagi, absolutely loving your recipes. Have introduced my married daughter to your website and now she’s hooked too! Making your sexy lentil salad for family lunch tomorrow I’m sure the name will cause a few giggles. ☺
Ba ha ha!!! I’ve been getting SO MUCH GRIEF over that name from my family and friends! I keep saying to them – “how else can I get your attention about LENTILS??”
Okay, so l made the Sexy Lentil Salad tonight. Your friend is right it is sexy and very yummy. Had to stop the other half from eating it all as it was a serving for four and there was only the two of us. I did compromise for various reasons. The better half is the hunter and gatherer we call him this in the family. Well, l forgot to tell him to buy the Feta and all l had was goats cheese. I flavoured it with a touch of home made herb salt before adding to the salad. I also served the salad warmish topped with sweet potato and yoghurt adorned with paprika. I will be coming back to this one time and again. By the way the green lentils worked a treat. I don’t tend to use a lot of lentils but there was a box in the cupboard left over from guests last summer. Thanks Nagi. Mel
BA HA HA! I am so glad you agreed with the name!!! Hunter and Gatherer? From Woolies?? 😜
Thanks for finally writing about >Sexy Lentil Salad | RecipeTin Eats <Loved it!
Ba ha ha!!! Glad you liked the name! N x
This recipe is Fantastic!! ! Everyone in my family turned their nose up when they heard I was making lentils. Then they tried it and it was love at first bite. If you are thinking of making this stop now and just make it. It will change your life. Thanks Nagi for the recipe. Cheers!
YES YES YES!!! I am so glad everyone enjoyed it Jeanne, thank you so much for letting me know! N xx
yet another beautiful dish! this looks so good and easy! although me being lazy i’d probably use canned lentils 😅 is that allowed? also I love how happy dozer looks despite it being near freezing!
Of course it is! Just marinate it – I have directions in the recipe, makes all the difference! N x
I’ll eat lentils any day and in most forms usually the red ones tho’!! Looks like a salad I’ll certainly copy . . . . and calling it ‘sexy’ kind’of does make one reach for the ingredients! Well, doesn’t ir ? Now who on earth does not get a frisson out of that word . . . 🙂 ?
How else could I have gotten your attention over LENILS???! 😂
SEXSY LENTLE SALAD, HA, HAAA, NOW IVE HEARD IT ALL! But on the other handSINCERE THANKS FOR MAKING ME LAUGH JUST WHAT I NEEDED. CANT STOP CRYING THIS MORNING, MY YOUNGER SISTER WILL BE STARTING KYMOTHERAPY ON MONDAY AND AM NOT ALOWED TO TRAVEL, GOD HELP US ITS SO HARD. BUT AS I SAID THANK YOU FOR SEXSE SALAD. DO HAVE DRY LENTLES AND HOME MADE CHICKEN STOCK SO WHY NOT ITS NOT BIG DEAL AND LENTLES ARE HEALTHY. HAVE GOOD WEEK AND BE HAPPY WITH DOZER.
Vera – take it hour by hour and day by day. I had a mastectomy for two massive growths some 15 years ago . . . I am writing this now ! The chemotherapy period will pass: these days results are much more positive than during mine. Mind-body medicine is hugely important: so do NOT cry – you can keep in contact by all the modern ways we now have. Honestly my diagnosis came at the worst possible time in my life for me . . . but I totally refused to think of a negative outcome and . . .
I am so glad you are better Eha, and I love your words of support for Vera ❤️
Oh Vera, I am sorry to hear about your sister. 🙁 Where is she? N x
I just finished making & eating your “One Pot Greek Chicken & Rice for the 2nd time and decided to check in and saw this sexy thing. Having a beach picnic tomorrow & going to make this. Looks amazing. I want some now. 🤔
Ba ha ha!!!! I am getting a lot of grief about the name, but seriously, how else can I get people’s attention with LENTILS? 😉 N x
Yep totally gorgeous. I am not willing to date this salad even though it may be sexy…….
BA HA HA!!!!!
Well, I can see why you call it sexy — it calls to you and says –try me you won’t regret it!! 😉Now, there are some foods that try to call but I just ignore them — too phoney and too much makeup. This recipe is just simply full of flavor. For years we’ve stopped using water when we make lentils, farro, freekeh, quinoa, etc. You get a flavor head start. I haven’t made a lentil salad but this looks too tempting not to make. I keep forgetting your six months ahead/behind us. We’re going to enjoy this recipe ASAP. xoxo
YES!!! Actually, not quinoa 🙂 I cook that in plain water usually but tons of flavour gets added later. Loving hearing that Marisa! N xx
I love lentils and I always cook them in the flavorful both with some white wine. Your salad sounds delicious Nagi. I’ll be making it soon 🙂
Oooh! White wine! Do you simmer first to cook out the alcohol smell before adding lentils??
No, I add everything into the pot. For 2 cups of lentils, I would add 2 1/4 cups of broth and 1/4 cup of white wine, black pepper and let it simmer. The alcohol smell cooks out and you will never taste it, but the lentils taste amazing 🙂
That would be even more amazing! 🙂 N xx
Maybe a combination of both! Switching wine for the water!! N xx
Thanks for your tip on your way of cooking lentils. sounds like a MUST try for me. Nagi’s recipes are always SO GOOD, so I’m trying your lentil cooking recipe with her salad. Even though I don’t drink alcohol (just doesn’t like my stomach) I don’t mind cooking with it since it’s cooked out leaving a wonderful flavour, so don’t think I could go wrong with combining both your recipes. Lentils to me as Nagi says – only for warm soups, but here we go with her wonderful salad. Even though it’s still a bit chilly I’m trying this tonight with some “Southern Pork Ribs” thanks again to both of you.
It’s a great tip isn’t it? I’ll be trying it myself when I get home from this trip! N x
Well seeing the title of this in my newsletter email, made me giggle. So I had to read on. 😄 Definitely going to try this one. Just have to wait until the weekend, when we can get to the farmers market to pick up the veggies needed. Love anything with feta in it!
I had to use it – made me laugh!!! N x
Just made this for dinner tonight. Each of the three components of the recipe was so tasty (separately), I knew it was going to be good! And oh my was it!!
We actually had it as our meal (for two) minus half of the lentils (because I wanted some of those for tomorrow).🙂
I couldn’t get over how good the lentils were cooked that way! Pretty sure I will not be cooking lentils in plain water anymore!
WHOOT! So please you enjoyed this Sandra. Especially given the NAME that I gave this darn thing. 😉 N x
Hi Nagi. Lentils are something I have never been fond of…sorry my friend. I am a fan of barley and would use it instead. Kevin has done several dishes where I’ve subbed in barley. Our winters here get colder than yours, but I have not worn a coat in years.
Gasp! We finally have a food we don’t agree on! 😂
Hi Nagi. That is why we are such good friends…we can and do have differing opinions and we both respect each other choices. However, we agree on so many things also.
I really have to try this recipe soon! A hearty salad like this is so satisfying and the kind of healthy dish we crave. Thanks Nagi!
I never thought I’d say this, but I actually crave these lentils!! 😂
This looks Awesome and colourful!! I look forward and trying more of your recipes, Thanks for sharing such healthy and easy recipe!!
I hoe you do try this Aria! It is SO SO GOOD! 😂