Colorful Lentil Salad with Tahini Dressing Recipe
A refreshing and nutritious Lentil Salad featuring tender brown lentils, a colorful medley of bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a zesty tahini-lemon dressing. This easy-to-make salad is perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner, packed with protein, fiber, and fresh flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Lentils
- 2 cups uncooked brown lentils
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 orange bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 1 English cucumber, chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup parsley
Dressing
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 clove grated garlic
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Boil the Lentils: Rinse the lentils thoroughly. Place them in a pot and add about 5 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and let simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain the lentils and let them cool slightly.
- Combine Vegetables and Lentils: In a large bowl, combine the cooked lentils with the chopped red, orange, and green bell peppers, red onion, English cucumber, tomatoes, and parsley. Toss gently to mix evenly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a mason jar or small mixing container, add the olive oil, grated garlic, tahini, white vinegar, lemon juice, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Secure the lid and shake well until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the lentil and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together until evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve and Store: Serve the salad immediately as a fresh, protein-packed meal. Alternatively, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to meld.
Notes
- Be sure not to overcook the lentils to maintain a slightly firm texture.
- The salad can be served chilled or at room temperature.
- For extra flavor, garnish with additional fresh parsley or a sprinkle of paprika.
- This salad makes a great make-ahead dish for meal prep and packable lunches.
- Adjust salt and lemon juice to taste for a perfect balance of flavors.
Keywords: lentil salad, healthy salad, Mediterranean salad, tahini dressing, vegetarian lunch, brown lentils, easy salad recipe
