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This simple lentil salad is one of those recipes that reminds me how good simple food can be.
It’s just cooked lentils tossed with red wine vinegar, olive oil, scallions and parsley — nothing fancy — yet every time I make it, I’m surprised by how flavorful it turns out.
I didn’t grow up eating lentils, but over the years they’ve become one of my favorite pantry staples. They’re inexpensive, easy to cook and incredibly satisfying.
This is the kind of simple, everyday recipe that fits perfectly into a healthy, balanced way of eating — nothing complicated, just good ingredients prepared well.
Why I Love This Lentil Salad
• Made with just a handful of simple ingredients
• Budget-friendly and filling
• Great source of fiber and plant-based protein
• Works as a side dish or light main
• Keeps well for leftovers
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Lentils – French green or black beluga lentils work best because they hold their shape and have great flavor. Brown lentils can be used but will be softer. Ready to Eat Steamed Lentils make this simple salad even easier.
- Red Wine Vinegar – Adds brightness and balance. You can substitute sherry vinegar or lemon juice.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil – Adds richness and helps bring everything together.
- Scallions or Shallots – Provides a mild onion flavor. Red onion can be used for a stronger bite.
- Fresh Parsley – Adds freshness and color. You can substitute mint or basil for a different twist.
- Salt & Pepper – Season to taste.
This recipe comes from The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters, who recommends using French green or black lentils because they hold their shape and have the best flavor.
If you’re short on time, the pre-cooked steamed lentils from Trader Joe’s are a great shortcut and something I use often for quick meals.
Calories and WW Points
According to my calculations, each 1/2-cup serving has about 176 calories and 2 WW Points.
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
4 PointsPlus (Old plan)
How to Make Simple Lentil Salad
- Place lentils in a saucepan and cover with water by about 3 inches.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 25–30 minutes.
- Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of cooking liquid.
- Transfer lentils to a bowl and toss with vinegar, salt and pepper. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Add olive oil, scallions and parsley and stir gently to combine.
- If needed, add a little reserved cooking liquid to loosen the mixture.
Variations
- Add diced cucumber or red bell pepper for crunch
- Top with crumbled goat cheese or feta
- Add cooked chicken or salmon to make it a full meal
If you’ve made this Simple Lentil Salad, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Simple Lentil Salad Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup lentils, rinsed
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, plus more to taste
- Salt to taste
- Fresh-ground black pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions, or 3 tablespoons finely diced shallot
- 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Place the lentils in a saucepan and cover with water by 3 inches. Bring to a boil and then lower heat to a gentle simmer and cook until the lentils are tender all the way through (adding more water if necessary), about 30 minutes.
- Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
- Place the drained lentils in a bowl and toss with vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Let sit for 5 minutes. Taste and add more salt and/or vinegar if needed.
- Add olive oil, scallions and parsley and stir gently to combine well.
- If the lentils seem dry and are hard to stir, loosen them with a little bit of the reserved cooking water.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 4 PointsPlus (Old plan) Lentil Salad Recipe Variations
- Add 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- Add 1/4 cup diced sweet red pepper
- Garnish with 1/2 cup crumbled goat or feta cheese
- Add 3 ounces lean cooked chicken breast, salmon, etc.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe source: The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons, and Recipes from a Delicious Revolution (affiliate link) by Alice Waters
More Easy Lentil Recipes You’ll Love
- Salmon and Warm Lentil Salad – A heartier version with warm lentils and flaky salmon.
- Weight Watchers Lentil Salad with Mint and Goat Cheese – A fresh, slightly more elevated lentil salad with bright flavors.
- Camilla’s Lemony Lentil Quinoa Salad – A protein-packed salad combining lentils and quinoa.
- Spicy Red Lentil Soup – A quick, comforting soup with bold flavor.
- Instant Pot Vegetarian Lentil Minestrone – A hearty, vegetable-packed lentil soup made easy.
- Weight Watchers Lentil and Swiss Chard Soup – A nourishing, simple soup with greens and lentils.
This isn’t 0 WW Freestyle points because it has olive oil in it. It comes out to be 2 WW Freestyle points per serving.
Hello:
The perfect lentils salad I was looking for: basic and nutritious.
Many,many thanks………