4.46 45 Published Dec 23, 2019, Updated Sep 28, 2022
Pre-Cooked Steamed Lentils
You can totally plan ahead and cook your own lentils, but this dish is an absolute breeze to whip up with pre-cooked, steamed lentils. I’ve seen steamed lentils at different grocery stores in the produce section. Stores like Kroger carry the Melissa’s steamed lentils and steamed lentils are one of my favorite items to buy from Trader Joe’s. Pre-cooked lentils are perfect for tossing together quick protein-packed vegetarian meals. Usually I just serve them as a side or use them as a salad topper, but recently I decided to spruce them up a little. The result is this lentil salad recipe I’m sharing with you today. This mediterranean lentil salad recipe is versatile and works great for meal prep because it tastes delicious served hot or cold. The first night I plated the warm lentil mixture over a bed of fresh spinach with a few chunks of avocado on top. And the next day I served it up the same way for lunch — only as a cold salad. I liked it both ways!
lentils – again, I love buying pre-cooked lentils, but you can always cook your own too! garlic and red onion tomatoes balsamic vinegar olive oil and sea salt fresh basil feta raisins avocado
How to Make Lentil Salad
This lentil salad is one of the easiest salad recipes I’ve ever shared, especially if you’re using pre-cooked lentils. That said, if you aren’t using pre-cooked lentils, cook the lentils according to package directions, until the lentils are tender. Once lentils are ready, sauté your red onion and garlic until fragrant. Add in the tomatoes and salt and cook for 10 minutes, until tomatoes are softened. Add balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan and then add in the cooked lentils. Stir everything to combine and cook for an additional minute or two. Add in the fresh basil, feta cheese and raisins. Remove from the heat and serve over brown rice or baby spinach. Top with fresh avocado slices and more cheese! Are you an olive fan? Kalamata olives would be delicious with this as well. If you like lentils and Mediterranean flavors, you’re going to L-O-V-E this quick and easy meal. Trust me. 🙂
Love Mediterranean Recipes? Try These Too:
HummusBaked FalafelMediterranean Salmon SaladMediterranean Orzo SaladZa’atar ChickenVegetable Tagine
More Lentil Recipes You Might Enjoy:
Vegan Lentil LoafButternut Squash and Red Lentil StewCabbage Lentil SoupRoasted Garlic Lentil SoupLightened Up Cauliflower Rice MujadaraKale Sweet Potato Lentil SaladLentil Tuna SaladLentil Meatballs
