If you're looking for a super easy but incredible salad, this lentil quinoa salad is it. Super healthy and perfect for picnics or a warm summer day.
This post was originally published on April 21, 2014.
This recipe has been a tried and true go-to meal for me for many years. It can be make extremely fast and easy with precooked ingredients, and is always a hit at parties!
The Best Fast and Easy Salad
This salad is amazing for so many reasons:
- Lentils and quinoa are great sources of protein and fiber
- It's really easy to make
- It's filling and satisfying
- The flavor is amazing
- Kids love it (you can finely chop the spinach and red peppers to make it super kid friendly)
Because you can buy precooked quinoa (usually in the freezer section), precooked lentils (can or vacuum sealed), store bought feta and jarred roasted pepper, this salad can be made in under 10 minutes.
But you can also make everything from scratch to keep it uber healthy. So it's easily adaptable for the time you have on your hands.
Tips for making ahead of time
If you want to make everything here from scratch, it is all easily done ahead of time so the day of it still goes really fast.
For details instructions on how to cool the lentils and the quinoa, plus all the information you need about their amazing health benefits, see the following posts:
Steps for Making Lentil Quinoa Salad
These are the easy steps you need to make this amazing salad.
- Cook the lentils.
- Cook the quinoa.
- Roast the pepper if roasting from scratch.
- Gather the ingredients.
- Mix well and serve!
How to add more veggies
You can definitely add more veggies to make this your own. I suggest roasting them first, much like you would the peppers, then adding.
Some ideas that would be delicious are:
- Zucchini
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Squash
- Sautéed greens like chard or kale
- Raw kale
Common Questions
Yes! In fact, I love lentils cold. They are a great bean to have in the fridge ready to use in many ways. from salad toppers, to wrap filling and even mixed into dips!
Neither! They both give some great nutrients and are awesome sources of protein and fiber.
You can, but they are both very different in taste and texture. So it depends on what you are making. If you are making a salad, absolutely. But if you are using lentils to make a burger where their texture is needed, nope.
Nutritionally they are both great sources of protein and fiber. So if that is what you want, then either will give you both.
Because this salad doesn't have any meat or dairy, it can sit out much longer than your traditional salad. If kept in the shade, it's good for about 2 hours.
This is best stored in an air tight container in the fridge for no longer than a week.
More Healthy Salads You Might Like:
- Healthy vegan macaroni salad
- Italian orzo salad
- Greek Farro salad
- Veggie pasta salad
- Grilled Romaine Salad with Vegan Caesar Dressing
Lentil Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked quinoa , use frozen for a fast version (about 1 ¼ cups dry quinoa)
- 1 cup roasted peppers , chopped (red, yellow or a mix, roast your own or use jarred for fast version)
- 2 cups fresh spinach , chopped
- 2 cups cooked lentils (I use Trader Joe's precooked refrigerated lentils for a fast version)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice , add more for extra tang if preferred
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ¾-1 teaspoon sea salt , taste and add more if needed
- ½ teaspoon ground ground black pepper
- ½ cup vegan feta , optional but recommended
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Place in the fridge to chill. Best served cold but it can also be eaten warm.
- If cooking quinoa or lentils day of, once cooked mix spinach in with both while they are warm. It will wilt the spinach a little bit.
- If using jarred peppers and they are jarred with oil, rinse a little or dab with paper towels if you prefer no oil.
- Serve alone or as a side!
Notes
- Oil isn't needed in this recipe if using the feta since it has whole food fat from the cashews. If you aren't using it, and want some oil, drizzle a little of olive oil or oil of choice.
- Nutrition information includes the feta.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Pamela Campbell
Actually, have made this recipe several times, with several different veggies. Always include, however, the roasted red pepper and spinach! It is fantastic and I am soooo glad I now have this in my repertoire. Tonight I am making this with the addition of sugar snap peas which are now locally available. Thank you Sophia! BTW, I absolutely love your posts on how to cook lentils and chick peas. I go back to them again and again when I run out of creativity in the eternal question of what to have for dinner.
veggiesdontbite
That sounds amazing Pamela! Thank you so much for the great review. I am so happy you like it all!
Olwyn
Hi Sophia - I am commenting about your spanakopita which I made this week to rave reviews. The only change I made was that I used puff pastry because that is what I had on hand. I also made your falafels and tzatziki which vanished! Have just meaning to thank you so much for your creativity and work in veganizing these classic recipes. I haven't looked to see if you have dolmades or that wonderful Greek lemon soup, but your spanakopita has me wanting Greek food....can't thank you enough - everything was delicious!
veggiesdontbite
I'm so happy you love them Olwyn!! Thank you so much for commenting. I have not added the dolmades of the evgolemono soup on the site yet but I will put them on my future list!
Emily Kemp
This looks so delicious, I'd pack this up for work lunches!
Rosemary White
I made this as soon as I saw it this evening. I did not have any roasted red pepper so used a sautéed chopped red onion and lightly sautéed cup of grated carrot/cabbage slaw. I added a few tablespoons of organic cold pressed olive oil and the lemon juice and Himalayan salt (and pepper). Just loved the way it tasted with lightly wilted spinach and lemon. So good. Thank you. It never ocurred to me to mix Quinoa and lentils together. You could add almost any combination of veggies to it.
veggiesdontbite
Hi Rosemary! Thanks so much for your awesome feedback. So happy you loved it! Yes, we love quinoa and lentils. SO much protein and goodness. And you're right, it goes great with just about any veggies!!
Dina
Thank you for making it for Easter, it was delicious, every body loved it.
veggiesdontbite
You're welcome! Glad it was a hit.