Name: Mediterranean Lentil Salad | Vegetarian Salad Recipes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed and drained; 3 cups water or vegetable broth; 1 cucumber, diced; 1 red bell pepper, chopped; 1/2 red onion, finely chopped; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced; 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped; 3 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1 garlic clove, minced; Salt and black pepper to taste

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You know those meals that just make you feel good from the inside out? This Mediterranean Lentil Salad does exactly that. It’s fresh, earthy, and somehow manages to taste like sunshine on a plate. The lentils bring a comforting heartiness, the veggies add crunch, and the tangy dressing ties everything together with that unmistakable Mediterranean flair. I love this salad because it’s one of those lentil salad recipes that’s easy enough for lunch but feels fancy enough to serve at dinner. And it’s part of my regular rotation of Mediterranean salad recipes whenever I’m craving something bright and healthy. Honestly, if you’re into lentil dinner recipes or salad recipes vegetarian friends will thank you for, this one’s a keeper. It’s proof that healthy salad recipes vegetarian folks enjoy can be delicious without being boring. If your taste buds could take a vacation, they’d book a flight straight to this bowl.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Mediterranean Lentil Salad Recipe
3) Ingredients for Mediterranean Lentil Salad
4) How to Make Mediterranean Lentil Salad
5) Tips for Making Mediterranean Lentil Salad
6) Making Mediterranean Lentil Salad Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Mediterranean Lentil Salad
8) Try these salad recipes next!
9) Mediterranean Lentil Salad
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This Mediterranean Lentil Salad is hearty, flavorful, and perfect for a light meal or side dish.
It’s packed with fresh vegetables, protein-rich lentils, and a bright lemony dressing.
It works beautifully as a meal prep option for lunch or dinner.
You can serve it cold or at room temperature and it keeps well for days.
This recipe is part of the best Vegetarian Salad Recipes collection on Simply Cooked Recipes.

2) Easy Mediterranean Lentil Salad Recipe

If there’s one dish that never fails to impress, it’s this Mediterranean Lentil Salad. It’s hearty, it’s refreshing, and it somehow manages to strike the perfect balance between comfort food and fresh salad. Every time I make it, I think about how such simple ingredients can come together so beautifully. The lentils give it a satisfying, earthy base, while the crisp cucumber and bell pepper bring a snap of freshness.

When I first tried this recipe, I didn’t expect much—lentils aren’t exactly the life of the party—but oh, was I wrong. The tang from the lemon dressing hits the back of your tongue just right, the briny olives add a burst of flavor, and the feta melts slightly when it’s tossed with the warm lentils. I like to call this my “lazy day showstopper” because it looks fancy but takes barely any effort.

It’s one of my favorite Vegetarian Salad Recipes because it never feels like diet food—it feels like real food that just happens to be healthy. And when your fork dives into that mix of textures and colors, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

3) Ingredients for Mediterranean Lentil Salad

Lentils: Use green or brown lentils since they hold their shape well. They cook up tender but not mushy, which gives this salad the perfect texture. I once made the mistake of using red lentils, and let’s just say it turned into lentil porridge. Stick with the firm ones.

Water or Broth: Cooking lentils in vegetable broth instead of water adds depth. It’s like sneaking in flavor without doing any extra work.

Cucumber: Cool, crunchy, and refreshing. It adds that satisfying snap every good salad needs. If you peel it, you’ll lose some texture, but it’s up to you.

Bell Pepper: Red bell pepper brings a bit of sweetness that balances the tangy dressing. I sometimes use yellow or orange for extra color.

Red Onion: Sharp and punchy. If raw onion feels too bold, soak it in cold water for a few minutes to soften the bite.

Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet and juicy, they bring life to the lentils. You could even use sun-dried tomatoes for a richer flavor twist.

Olives: I use Kalamata because their briny, salty kick ties everything together. You can swap them with green olives if that’s what you have.

Feta Cheese: A creamy, salty bite that makes every forkful better. Skip it for a vegan option, but I’ll admit—it’s hard to beat that feta flavor.

Parsley: Fresh and peppery, it brightens the whole dish. Chop it fine so it spreads evenly through every bite.

Lemon Juice: Brings the Mediterranean magic. It’s the zing that wakes up all the other flavors.

Olive Oil: Smooth, rich, and necessary. It coats everything in that classic, glossy finish that makes the salad look as good as it tastes.

Dijon Mustard and Garlic: Together they add bite and depth. I like a good strong mustard—it keeps the dressing interesting.

Salt and Pepper: Don’t skip seasoning. This is where all those Mediterranean salad recipes really shine.

4) How to Make Mediterranean Lentil Salad

Step 1. Rinse the lentils and toss them in a pot with water or broth. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes. You want them tender but still holding shape. Overcooked lentils make a sad salad.

Step 2. While the lentils cook, chop the cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, tomatoes, and parsley. I like to set up a small cutting station—it makes me feel like I’m on a cooking show, minus the camera crew and perfect hair.

Step 3. Once the lentils are done, drain them and let them cool slightly. Warm lentils absorb dressing beautifully, so don’t wait too long.

Step 4. In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper until creamy. If you shake it in a jar, you’ll feel oddly proud of yourself when it emulsifies perfectly.

Step 5. Toss everything together in a big bowl. Add the lentils, veggies, and dressing. Give it a gentle mix so you don’t crush the lentils. Sprinkle feta over the top, and there it is—your new favorite Vegetarian Salad Recipe.

5) Tips for Making Mediterranean Lentil Salad

Don’t rush the cooling. Warm lentils are fine, but hot lentils will make the veggies lose their crunch and the feta melt too fast. Let them cool just enough to hold shape.

Always taste before serving. Lentils love salt, and you’ll notice how much more alive the flavors feel once you’ve seasoned them right. I’ve learned that from making too many bland lentil dinner recipes early on.

Make extra dressing. It’s so good you’ll want to drizzle more over leftovers—or even use it as a dip. This Mediterranean salad recipe has the kind of dressing you’ll want to keep in your fridge forever.

6) Making Mediterranean Lentil Salad Ahead of Time

I love a recipe that lets me get ahead, and this one’s a star when it comes to make-ahead meals. The flavors deepen overnight, turning a good salad into a great one. I usually prepare the lentils and dressing the night before, then mix everything just before serving.

If you’re making it for meal prep, pack the dressing separately and add it right before eating. That keeps the veggies crisp. It’s part of what makes this one of my go-to Healthy Salad Recipes Vegetarian readers love—it’s simple, make-ahead friendly, and never soggy.

You can even serve it warm on day one and chilled the next—it tastes amazing both ways. That’s the beauty of Mediterranean food: flexible and unfussy.

7) Storing Leftover Mediterranean Lentil Salad

Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for up to four days, and the flavor only improves as the dressing mingles with the lentils. When you’re ready to eat, give it a quick stir and maybe a squeeze of lemon to wake it up.

Sometimes I toss in extra feta or a handful of spinach to freshen it up. It’s one of those salad recipes vegetarian eaters love because it stays tasty and filling no matter how many times you pull it from the fridge.

8) Try these salad recipes next!

9) Mediterranean Lentil Salad