Warm French Lentil Salad

Name: Warm French Lentil Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1/2 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon olive oil; 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 1/2 teaspoons herbs de Provence; salt and pepper, to taste; 1 large carrot, chopped; 1/2 medium onion, chopped; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 cup cooked lentils; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

March 22, 2019 by Emily Cooper 26 Comments

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This healthy Warm French Lentil Salad Recipe is vegan and gluten free & quick and easy to make. The tangy vinaigrette dressing makes it!

French Lentil Salad Recipe in Bowl Overhead — *This recipe was originally published in 2019, but has since been updated.*

While I didn't have a lentil in any way, shape, or form while in France, I did see Ina make it on Food Network, so it must be legit, and totally french, right?

Instead of requiring the teardrop of a blessed virgin, and 27 year old olive oil from the hillsides of Tuscany, I downplayed Ina's original to an easy, satisfying, and inexpensive version of a warm French lentil salad recipe. Bon appetit.

What makes this lentil salad delicious & healthy

olive oil
red wine vinegar
Dijon mustard
Herbs de Provence
salt and pepper
garlic
onion
carrot
cooked lentils
chopped parsley

How to make this lentil salad recipe

In a small bowl, whisk together ½ tablespoon olive oil, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1 ½ teaspoons Herbs de Provence, and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and add 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Once oil is hot, add 1 clove of minced garlic, ½ an onion that's been chopped, and 1 large carrot that's been chopped. Cook until softened, or about 3-5 minutes. Once vegetables are cooked, add in 1 cup of cooked lentils, and stir to combine.

Continue cooking for 2 more minutes to heat lentil through. Remove from heat, and stir vinaigrette dressing into lentils. Transfer to a serving bowl, and top for 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley.

French Lentil Salad Recipe with Hand On Bowl

Pro Tips:

Cook lentils ahead of time, or drain and rinse canned lentils to make this super quick and easy.
Make double the dressing & save some for salads.

FAQs

Can I make this without Herbs de Provence?

I guess technically you can, it is what gives this salad it's French-inspired flavor. If you can't find it, you can also use a blend of thyme, rosemary, and tarragon, but won't have the same flavor since Herbs de Provence also includes additional herbs like savory, marjoram, and dried lavender.

How long does this salad keep?

If you have leftovers, or prefer to eat cold, this salad can keep in the refrigerator up to 4 days.

Can you freeze it?

You can freeze it, by making sure the lentils are completely cool, and storing in a freezer-safe container such as a zip-top bag or freezer-friendly reusable container for up to 2 months.

Money-Saving Tips for this Lentil Salad Recipe:

Buy in bulk. Purchasing the 1 lb bag of lentils instead of canned or pre-cooked, as well as a big bag of carrots or onions is more cost-effective than smaller packages or pre-chopped.
Use store brands. Utilizing store brands for items such as mustard, vinegar, and spices are often less expensive without sacrificing quality or flavor.

more lentil recipes:

Lentil Cauliflower Tacos

Smashed Lentil Salad with Avocado and Feta

Honey Mustard Lentil Wrap

Did you make this recipe? Leave me a comment & a rating to let me know how it came out!

French Lentil Salad Recipe in White Bowl

Pin this to your Salads board!