Description
This vibrant Beet Lentil Salad combines the earthy sweetness of roasted beets with hearty lentils for a nutritious and satisfying meal. Perfect as a light lunch or a side dish, it’s vegan-friendly and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
- Fresh roasted beets
- Canned beets (optional)
- Green or brown lentils
- Canned lentils (optional)
- Feta cheese
- Goat cheese (optional)
- Vegan cheese alternative (optional)
- Toasted nuts (optional)
- Fresh dill
- Fresh parsley
- Dried herbs (optional)
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
- Honey (optional)
- Mustard (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beets: If using fresh beets, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wrap the beets in aluminum foil and roast for about 45-60 minutes, or until tender. Once they are cool enough to handle, peel and dice them.
- Cook the Lentils: Rinse 1 cup of lentils under cold water. In a pot, combine the lentils with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20-25 minutes until they are tender but not mushy. Drain and let cool.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of olive oil, the juice of one lemon, salt, and pepper to taste. If you like, add a teaspoon of honey or mustard for extra flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled lentils, diced roasted beets, crumbled feta cheese, and your choice of fresh herbs.
- Add Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all the ingredients. Be careful not to mash the beets or lentils.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add more lemon juice, salt, or pepper.
- Chill and Serve: For the best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy it as a light lunch or a side dish!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 60 mins
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting and Boiling
- Cuisine: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: For added texture, include chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans. You can also enhance the flavor with balsamic vinegar or add grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein.