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Cherry Tomato Salad with Lentils

Name: Cherry Tomato Salad with Lentils
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice ((about 1 large lemon)); 1 large garlic clove (pressed or minced); Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste); Dash of crushed red pepper flakes ((optional)); 10 ounces grape or cherry tomatoes (halved); 1 cup cooked French lentils (or green or brown lentils); 1/2 medium red onion (thinly sliced); 1/4 cup chopped basil (or cilantro, or both); 1 medium avocado

Published: May 17, 2023 by Nisha Melvani · 2 Comments

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8-ingredient Cherry Tomato Salad with Lentils comes together in under 15 minutes. It's budget-friendly, flavorful, and rich in plant-based protein. This vegan recipe is perfect for parties as it's gluten-free, and nut-free.

Cherry tomato lentil salad with avocado, green lentils, red onion, and dressing in a white dish with wooden serving utensils.

What I love most about this quick and easy salad is that it's a complete meal, balanced in protein, unrefined carbohydrates, and heart healthy fats. Plus, it's bright, refreshing, and perfect for barbecues, pot lucks, and a quick weeknight dinner.

This lentil salad recipe was inspired by my Vegan Lentil Salad meal-prep jars on this site, as well as this healthy Easy Roasted Chickpeas Hummus Pasta.

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👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients
🍅 Substitutions
📖 Instructions
💡 Expert Tips
🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
🍽 Related Recipes
👩🏽‍🍳 Made This Recipe?
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

French lentils, grape tomatoes, red onion, crushed red pepper, olive oil, basil, avocado, cilantro, garlic, and one lemon.

Use cherry or grape tomatoes for this Cherry Tomato Salad with Lentils. They are similar in size, and both hold their shape well. However, cherry tomatoes are typically rounder and larger, while grape tomatoes are elongated and smaller. Plus, they also have slight differences in taste and texture.
French, Puy, and green lentils all work in this recipe. They are firmer than other lentil varieties, and hold their shape well during cooking. They have a dark, slate green or bluish-gray color, which sets them apart from other lentil varieties that are typically brown or orange.
Fresh basil brightens this dish. It has a slightly sweet and peppery taste with hints of clove and mint.
Freshly chopped cilantro is optional, but adds a fresh and citrusy quality, enhancing the flavors of lentil tomato salad.

See recipe card for quantities.

🍅 Substitutions

Lentils - French, Puy or green lentils are the best type for this recipe because of their firmer texture. Brown lentils will also work, but it might not keep as well in the fridge.
Tomatoes - Cherry and grape tomatoes will hold up better in this lentil salad, but you can also use chopped Roma or plum, beefsteak, or greenhouse tomatoes.
Herbs - Fresh basil complements the tomatoes perfectly, but feel free to use fresh herbs you already have on hand. Cilantro, parsley, and mint would also taste delicious in this recipe.

Try this easy Orzo Salad with Crispy Tofu for another healthy salad recipe with plant-based protein. Visit my Vegan Salad Recipes page for more quick, balanced, and budget-friendly vegan salads.

📖 Instructions

Use pre-cooked lentils, or cook dry lentils beforehand according to the directions on the packet until al dente. Do not overcook them or the salad will be mushy.

Tomatoes, avocado, legumes, red onion, and chopped basil in a white oval dish.

Step 1. Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper in a small bowl. Set aside. Transfer the tomatoes, lentils, and red onion to a salad mixing bowl.

Halved cherry tomatoes, lentil salad with avocado, green lentils, red onion, and dressing in a white bowl.

Step 2. Add the dressing, and fresh herbs and toss to combine. Add avocado for serving and mix to incorporate.

💡 Expert Tips

Cook the lentils until al dente. Do not overcook them or the salad with be watery. Or use pre-cooked lentil to save time. Rinse and drain them before adding.
Store cherry and grape tomatoes on the counter until fully ripe. You can refrigerate fully ripe tomatoes to preserve their shelf life, but bring them back to room temperature before making this cherry tomato salad.
To reduce the sharpness of the red onion, soak the cut onion in water for 10 minutes before adding it to the salad.
Press or grate the garlic into the salad for even more flavor.
Storage: Refrigerate any remaining Cherry Tomato Salad with Lentils for up to 3 days. Add avocado for serving.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

What is the best way to store fresh tomatoes?

Keep them on the counter in a bowl until ripe. Refrigeration interrupts the ripening process. If you put unripe tomatoes in the refrigerator, they will stay that way – mealy, bland, and unripe. Once fully ripe, place tomatoes in a bag and store them in the refrigerator to prolong shelf life. A ripe tomato can stay in the fridge for up to two weeks.
For the best flavor, bring tomatoes back to room temperature before serving. Use squishy tomatoes for tomato sauces, relishes, chutneys, curries, soups, and more.

Can you eat lentils straight from the can?

Canned lentils are already cooked. Rinse them in a fine mesh strainer under running water and they are ready to use.

How do I make this Cherry Tomato and Lentil Salad ahead of time?

Slice the tomatoes, red onion, and herbs and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Mix the lemon juice, garlic, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper and store it separately in the refrigerator. For serving, transfer the cherry tomatoes, red onion, herbs, and lemon juice mixture to a large salad bowl. Add the olive oil, lentils, and avocado, and mix well to incorporate.