SIMPLE SALAD SERIES: Lentil Salad

Simple Salad Series

Salad #2

#SIMPLESALADSERIES

  • Vegan
  • Gluten free
  • 8 ingredients or less
  • Homemade salad dressing

If you are a vegan or a vegetarian, you probably get the question, "Where do you get your protein from?" more times than you can count.  The truth is, it's fairly easy for a vegan to get an adequate amount of protein.  The amount we need can vary based on our activity level, but in general, we need about .41 grams of protein per pound of body weight. 


With that, lentils are a great source of vegan protein!  Just one cup of cooked lentils packs about 18 grams of protein, so this salad will leave you satisfied and full longer.  Check out last week's simple salad, Heirloom Tomato, Basil & Pine Nut Salad, it's one of my favorites!

Here are some other vegan sources of protein I like:  

  • 1 cup lentils: 18g
  • 1 cup kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas: 15g
  • 1 cup quinoa: 8g
  • 1 cup peas: 8g
  • 1/4 cup almonds: 8g
  • 2 tablespoons almond butter: 7g
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds: 6g
  • 1/4 cup cashews: 5g
  • 1 cup spinach: 5g
  • 1 cup broccoli: 4g

For a full list, check out the Vegetarian Resource Group  




WHAT YOU NEED:

INGREDIENTS

  1. Mixed Greens
  2. Lentils
  3. Cucumber
  4. Carrot
  5. Celery
  6. Sunflower Seeds
  7. Olive Oil
  8. White wine vinegar

PRINTABLE RECIPE


Simple Lentil Salad

SIMPLE SALAD SERIES

VEGAN + GLUTEN FREE

serves: 2-3

total time:  10 min

PRINT OR DOWNLOAD RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

  • 5 cups mixed greens
  • 1 cup lentils, cooked 
  • 1 cup cucumbers, chopped 
  • 1 cup carrots, chopped
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • 1-2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil 
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • Salt + Pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Whisk dressing: olive oil + vinegar.  Set aside
  2. Toss together: mixed greens, cucumber, celery, and carrots.  Add dressing, salt, and pepper (to taste).  Toss again.
  3. Garnish each salad with 1/2 of the lentils and sunflower seeds.

MAKE-AHEAD PREP:

  • Mix dressing and cover.

  • Chop vegetables.  Refrigerate in airtight container.  

  • Complete steps 2 & 3 when you're ready to eat!


More Simple Salads from TFC!


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PHOTOGRAPHY: Coreen Murphy