French Lentil Salad with Cider Vinaigrette (Vegan, Gluten Free)

This French Lentil Salad Is:

• Healthy
• Vibrant
• Bright
• Earthy
• Packed with plant protein
• Loaded with flavor
• Versatile: you can swap in any fresh ingredients that you have on hand
• Vegan, gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free!
• Meal prep friendly!

This salad was an absolutle pleasure to have for lunch!  I made a huge batch of it for Meal Prep Sunday and I was able to enjoy it throughout the week.  The heart veggies really stood up in this salad, no wilty spinach here!  Here are a few of my other favorite meal prep recipes too. Meal prepping is a great tool for keeping food organized throughout the week.

What’s In This French Lentil Salad?

• French Lentils, or puy lentils.  You could also use brown lentils or black lentils.  Don’t use red, as they fall apart when they are cooked.  You can cook lentils on the stove top, but I usually use my recipe for Perfect Rice Cooker Lentils, which are ready in about 45 minutes.
• Tomato: What ever fresh tomato variety you have on hand: beefsteak, roma, cherry tomatoes, etc.
• Cucumber: peeled and diced
• Red Cabbage: for some healthy crunch and color
• Bell Pepper: I used red, but you can use any color of your choice
• Red Onion: for a little spice and flavor
• Fresh Parsley: for a vibrant and bold crunch!
• Apple Cider Vinegar: a bright fresh vinegar for the dressing, hint of sweetness
• Olive Oil: to round out the dressing and provide some great healthy fats.

How Do I Make This Lentil Salad?

• In a large bowl, add the cooked lentils, tomato, cucumber, cabbage, bell pepper, red onion, and parsley.
• To a quart sized mason jar add the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Shake well for a minute to combine dressing, and dress salad.
• Store the salad in an airtight container, if not serving immediately.

I love cooking lentils in my rice cooker, which always come out perfect.  I haven’t tried them in the Instant Pot yet, but I will definitely try it out next time.  The stovetop method used to be my go-to cooking method for lentils, however I find that the rice cooker to be much easier.  Just add the lentils, add the water, set it, and forget it!  You can also use cooked lentils in a can or a pouch from othe grocery store… whatever floats your boat.

Dietary Modifications

• This recipe is naturally vegan, vegetarian, and dairy free.
• It’s gluten free, and contains so grain or wheat.
• This recipe is refined sugar free!  If you’d like to add a sweetener in the dressing I’d recommend honey (because I’m a beekeeper so it’s my sweetener of choice!) or maple syrup.

Other Summer Salads We LOVE!

Vegan Chopped Chickpea Salad (Gluten Free, Vegan, Dairy Free)

Caprese Pasta Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette (Vegetarian, GF, Vegan Option)

Thai Quinoa Cabbage Salad (Vegan, Gluten Free, Summer Side Dish)

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (Vegan, Gluten Free)

Sweet Vinegar & Oil Coleslaw (Vegan, GF)

As always, if you make this French lentil salad recipe sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe, and tag me on Instagram so I can feature you.  I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

Don’t forget to follow over on Pinterest & Instagram – I’d love to connect with you there!

French Lentil Salad with Cider Vinaigrette (Vegan, Gluten Free)

The Herbeevore

This vibrant and healthy French Lentil Salad is a great summer lunch or dinner, and is loaded with fresh garden tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs.

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 10 mins

Total Time 10 mins

Course Lunch, Salad

Cuisine American, French

Servings 6 servings

Calories 245 kcal

Ingredients

  

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For the Salad

• 3 cups cooked French lentils
• 1 fresh tomatoes diced
• 1 cucumber diced
• 1 cup red cabbage thinly sliced
• 1 bell pepper diced
• 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley

Cider Vinaigrette

• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground Tellicherry Black Pepper

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Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, add the cooked lentils, tomato, cucumber, cabbage, bell pepper, red onion, and parsley.
• To a quart sized.mason jar add the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Shake well for a minute to combine dressing.
• Pour dressing over the salad and toss to coat.  Enjoy!

Notes

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If you think organic produce is too expensive... think again, and give Misfits Market a look!

Nutrition

Calories: 245kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 27gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gSodium: 114mgPotassium: 244mgFiber: 32gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1415IUVitamin C: 50mgCalcium: 87mgIron: 8mg

Keyword French Lentil Recipes, French Lentil Salad, Lentil Salad Vegan, Vegan French Lentil Recipe

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