Lebanese Lentil Salad with Parsley and Lemon Recipe
A refreshing and nutritious Lebanese Lentil Salad featuring tender green or brown lentils tossed with fresh parsley, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a zesty lemon-cumin dressing. Optionally topped with crumbled feta cheese, this salad is perfect as a light lunch or a vibrant side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes plus chilling time
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Lebanese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cook the Lentils: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed lentils with 4 cups of water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape. Drain the lentils and set them aside to cool.
- Prepare the Dressing: While the lentils are cooling, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled lentils, finely chopped parsley, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and diced cucumber. Gently toss these ingredients together to mix evenly.
- Add the Dressing: Pour the prepared lemon-cumin dressing over the lentil and vegetable mixture. Toss gently again to ensure the salad is well coated with the dressing.
- Finish and Chill: If desired, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top of the salad. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve chilled.
Notes
- For best flavor, allow the salad to chill for several hours or overnight.
- Use green or brown lentils, as they hold their shape better for salads compared to red lentils.
- Feta cheese is optional and can be omitted for a vegan or dairy-free version.
- Adjust the lemon juice and salt levels to taste.
- Can be served as a hearty side dish or a light main course.
Keywords: Lebanese Lentil Salad, Lentil Salad, Parsley Salad, Lemon Dressing, Healthy Salad, Vegetarian, Middle Eastern Salad
