Black Lentil Salad with Roasted Vegetables (Printable)

Earth black lentils paired with caramelized roasted vegetables and zesty lemon dressing for a satisfying Mediterranean meal.

# What You Need:

→ Lentils

01 - 1 cup dried black lentils (beluga lentils), rinsed
02 - 3 cups water
03 - 1 bay leaf
04 - ½ tsp salt

→ Roasted Vegetables

05 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
07 - 1 small red onion, cut into wedges
08 - 1 small carrot, diced
09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
11 - ½ tsp salt

→ Salad Additions

12 - ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
14 - 2 tbsp feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

→ Dressing

15 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
16 - 1½ tbsp fresh lemon juice
17 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
18 - 1 garlic clove, minced
19 - ½ tsp honey or maple syrup
20 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How-To:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F.
02 - Spread bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, and carrot on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat evenly.
03 - Roast vegetables for 25–30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and lightly browned.
04 - Place lentils, water, and bay leaf in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes until lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain and discard bay leaf. Stir in ½ tsp salt while warm.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
06 - Combine warm lentils, roasted vegetables, cherry tomatoes, and parsley in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing and toss gently to combine. Add feta cheese if using.
07 - Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Black lentils hold their shape beautifully, giving each bite satisfying texture
  • The roasted vegetables develop this natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with tangy lemon dressing
02 -
  • Do not overcook the lentils since they will continue absorbing dressing and soften further
  • Cut vegetables into similar sized pieces so they roast evenly and finish at the same time
03 -
  • Rinse lentils thoroughly before cooking to remove any debris or dust
  • Use a large baking sheet so vegetables roast rather than steam in their own moisture
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