French Lentil Salad is best served chilled. It's a flavorful, protein-packed, side dish, or it can serve as a vegetarian main course with only one minor adjustment to the recipe.
I don't have many lentil recipes on my site, but I do have a few that I'd love for you to be aware of. Even though these recipes are older and need of some updated love (photos, recipe card, and additional information), they're both very delicious dishes that I know you will enjoy. The are: Slow Cooker Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew, and Lentil Stew with Lemon and Sausage by cookbook author, Melissa Clark.
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Table of Contents Found Here
- The ingredient list:
- Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- How this recipe came to be:
- Why this recipe is great for entertaining:
- I can highly recommend:
- How long will this side dish last in the fridge?
- Can this lentil side dish be frozen after cooking?
- What are lentils?
- Are lentils nutritious?
- Learn more about the health benefits of lentils.
- How to make chilled French Lentil Salad:
- Additional side dish recipes
- Printable Recipe Card
- Chilled French Lentil Salad
- Please comment if you've made this recipe.
The ingredient list:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
- lentils (any color)
- shallots
- carrots
- celery (save the leaves for garnish)
- chicken broth or vegetable broth (for vegetarian version)
- salt and pepper
- olive oil
- champagne vinegar (or your favorite vinegar)
- Dijon mustard
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- saucepan
- strainer
- measuring cups and spoons
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- wooden spoon or spatula
- small mixing bowl
- whisk
- serving spoon
- serving bowl
- air-tight containers for storing and freezing
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How this recipe came to be:
I love watching cooking shows. They're my absolute favorite form of entertainment.
I recently watched an episode on Amazon Prime called French Food Safari in which they demonstrated how to make a French lentil salad.
This is my interpretation of that salad.
Why this recipe is great for entertaining:
This is a super easy to make dish that will be a welcome addition to any table, for any occasion!
What makes this chilled lentil salad even better is that it's best prepared ahead of time making it perfect for entertaining or as a fast meal for on-the-go!
I can highly recommend:
If you're also a fan of great cooking shows with cuisines from around the world, I highly recommend the Food Safari series starring Maeve O'Meara.
Don't have Amazon Prime? No worries, check out all the Food Safari shows and episodes you can find on YouTube by searching Food Safari!
How long will this side dish last in the fridge?
Since French lentil salad is best prepared in advance, and then chilled, it will stay fresh (stored properly in an air-tight container) in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Can this lentil side dish be frozen after cooking?
Yes!
Make sure the dish is completely cool before storing in an air-tight freezer container.
French lentil salad can be frozen for up to 3 months.
To thaw, place in the refrigerator for 24 hours, or until no longer frozen.
What are lentils?
Lentils are a legume.
They're in the same family as beans, chickpeas, soybeans, and peanuts.
Lentils are a little protein-powerhouse!
Are lentils nutritious?
You bet!
Learn more about the health benefits of lentils.
How to make chilled French Lentil Salad:
- In a medium sauce pan, cook the lentils in chicken broth, water, and salt for 20-25 minutes. *Note - for the vegetarian version omit the chicken broth and replace it with vegetable stock or additional water.
- Peel and dice carrots, celery, and shallots.
- Once tender, drain the lentils and add them to the bowl with the prepared vegetables.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.
- Pour the vinaigrette over the lentils and stir well to combine.
- Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.
- Serve chilled.
Additional side dish recipes
*Best Ever BBQ Side Dish Recipe Roundup (pictured below)
With the help of this BBQ Side Dishes recipe roundup, your BBQ menu will keep your family and friends very full, and extremely happy!
*Old Fashioned Red Bean Salad (pictured below)
This fast, easy, no-cook and economical recipe for red bean salad calls for only a handful of ingredients. It’s the perfect chilled side dish to serve for any and every occasion!
*Sunflower Crunch Kale and Cabbage Salad (pictured below and showcased in the featured video)
Crunchy, healthy, and completely addictive. This Sunflower Crunch Kale and Cabbage Salad has it ALL going on!! Dig in! You’re going to love this colorful salad!
*Chilled French Lentil Salad (pictured below) This is the place!!
When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.
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Printable Recipe Card
Chilled French Lentil Salad
Equipment
- kitchen scale optional
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried lentils any color
- 3 cups water
- 2 cups chicken broth or vegetable stock for vegetarian version
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1½ cups peeled and diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- ½ cup chopped shallots
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil plus extra for drizzling before serving
- 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar or your favorite vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped celery leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, simmer the lentils in the chicken broth, water, and salt (or 5 cups of the liquid of your choice, if making the vegetarian version) over medium heat for 20-25 minutes. Drain and cool slightly.
- While the lentils are cooking, prepare the chopped carrots, celery, and shallots and place them in a large bowl.
- Add the cooled lentils to the bowl with the vegetables. Stir to combine.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ¼ cup olive oil, vinegar, black pepper, and Dijon mustard.
- Pour the vinaigrette over the lentils and stir well to combine.
- Refrigerate the salad for 4 hours (overnight is best).
- Before serving drizzle the salad with additional extra virgin olive oil and the chopped celery leaves.
- Serve chilled.
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's tasty and healthy side dish or vegetarian main course for French lentil salad as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Jessica says
This is the perfect summer side dish and great for picnics. I love finding new ways to use lentils.
Renée says
Thanks so much, Jessica. I love lentil recipes too. This is a good one.