Need a tasty and quick meal? This Easy Vegan Lentil Salad with Leeks and Lemon Vinaigrette can be ready in under 10 minutes and is a refreshing salad for lunch or dinner.
Lentils are my jam. Which surprises me because I would NEVER have imagined I’d say anything of the sort 10 years ago.
You might have seen on my About Me page that growing up I hated anything healthy, especially vegetables. If it wasn’t pizza, pasta, chicken nuggets or something with 5lbs of cheese slathered on it, you could basically not even think about me trying it.
Fast-forward to me going vegan and having to find other things to eat besides fried meat and cheese. I was so hesitant about trying anything new (that’s not how my family rolls) but I had to find something to eat.
Once I started trying foods, a whole new world has opened up to me. Do you ever start singing A Whole New World from Aladdin when someone says that too? I hope I’m not the only one.
So if you’re one of those people that say “I could never eat beans” or “I hate salad” like I used to, maybe give this salad a try. It’s light and refreshing and tasty all at the same time. And if pasta salad is more your thing, check out my Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad. That’s a tasty one too.
Easy Vegan Lentil Salad with Leeks
You know those pre-cooked lentils you can get in the refrigerated section of Trader Joe’s? If not, you need to get some for yourself ASAP. They’re so easy to use – I always have some on hand. Anyway, I was hot and tired and didn’t feel like cooking much but my body was telling me I needed some greens and beans so I took whatever I found in the fridge (including those TJ lentils) and came up with this little number.
My Vegan Lentil Salad starts with a base of organic mixed green and then I add leeks, pre-cooked lentils, and scallions. The salad is topped with a lemon vinaigrette and is ready in under 10 minutes. Besides being quick and tasty, a serving of this salad gives you lots of vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron.
If you make this Vegan Lentil Salad recipe, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below.
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Easy Vegan Lentil Salad with Leeks and Lemon Vinaigrette
Need a tasty and quick meal? This Easy Vegan Lentil Salad with Leeks and Lemon Vinaigrette can be ready in under 10 minutes and is a refreshing salad for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 cup cooked lentils
- 1 leek (lighter part only) rinsed, cleaned, and chopped
- 2 cups mixed salad greens
- few tablespoons of scallions
Lemon Vinaigrette
- 3 TB extra virgin olive oil
- 2 TB wine vinegar
- juice of half a lemon
- 1 tsp Dijon
- 1 TB nutritional yeast
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- pinch salt & pepper
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Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who helps clients regain their energy, confidence and health by adapting and enjoying a plant-based diet. By uniting her functional nutrition education with her passion for plants and mindfulness, Mary Ellen offers a completely holistic and science-based approach to designing a healthy, plant-based life. When she’s not reading up on the latest nutrition research, you can find Mary Ellen doting on her two rescue shih tzus, creating the perfect vegan mac & cheese, or exploring the world with her husband.
Becky Striepe says
Oh wow – this salad looks so hearty and summery! I love that vinaigrette recipe!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Becky! I’m always in the mood for salad in the summer but they have to be hearty enough to fill me. 🙂
Pam Allard says
My mouth is watering just reading this recipe Mary Ellen! I’ll make it soon. And I so identify with what you said about “a whole new world”! I’ve felt the same about cooking since going vegan.
Mary Ellen says
Thank you so much Pam! I’m so glad others feel the same way about going vegan. I only ate like 10 foods before and now I eat just about any plant-based food!
Jenn says
Sounds delicious! I LOVE LOVE LOVE lentils! We never ate them growing up either, but I’ve loved them from first bite. They’re perfect in salads.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Jenn! Yes, lentils are my favorite beans too – they’re so good!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
I stocked up on lentils…this salad is so good! I’ll be eating it a lot!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Amy! I always have lentils stocked too!
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
I adore lentils and love how this is different to any way I have had them before!
Kate says
Yay! Another brilliant idea for my lunches this week. With how busy I am right now, my inspiration when it comes to lunches is almost inexistant. I guess we all go through phases like this, so you just made my working week a lot less boring. Thank you!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much, Kate! Yes, I have been so busy that easy meals are the only things I can really get on the table or pack for lunch.
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
Agreed on lentils, I buy them in bulk. And this salad looks perfect for summer, satisfying with great flavors. Thanks!
Kimmythevegan says
Pre-cooked lentils? What? I need to look around the grocery store more. This is super handy sounding.
And this salad sounds so good! I’m all over the quick, easy lunches to pack for work.
I really like the sound of the dressing =)
Mary Ellen says
I love pre-cooked lentils. I’ve only seen them at Trader Joe’s but I stock up when I go there. 🙂
Thanks so much Kimmy! It’s been a go-to for work lunches.
Julie Wunder says
Such great salad! Love lentils too.