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Published: Feb 24, 2017 · Modified: Apr 20, 2020 by Sandhya Ramakrishnan · This post may contain affiliate links

French Green Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinegar Dressing

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French Green Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinegar dressing - A flavorful meal on its own!

French Green Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinegar Dressing

This week is super exciting as I got to work with three ingredients that were mailed to me by Varada; a fellow blogger who blogs at Varada's kitchen. A group of participating members were paired together for ingredient swap as a theme for Blogging Marathon. I have mailed three different ingredients and she had mailed me three.

The first one I worked with are these French green lentils. I have never heard or seen this lentil before and this was the only ingredient among the three that she had sent, so I decided to tackle that first. As soon as I saw the lentils, I knew that I wanted to make a salad and hence came up with very refreshing French Green Lentil Salad with balsamic vinegar dressing.

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Since the lentil was something I was not aware of, I started researching a bit about it and this is what I learned. The French Green Lentils are also known as Lentilles Du Puy. They are small gray-green lentil that are grown in Central France. They are the choice of lentil to use for salads as they hold there shape much better when cooked. The lentil also has a great earthy flavor that I loved.

Balsamic vinegar is one ingredient that I have hated in the past and in love with now. Since it is one of my new found love, I am in the process of exploring different recipes now. This dressing that I have made for this salad has just the balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard and some honey. If using honey mustard, we can omit the honey from the dressing. If you are a vegan, skip the honey and use Maple Syrup to sweeten the dressing.

French Green Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinegar Dressing

Preparation time - 10 minutes
Cooking time - 25 minutes
Difficulty level - easy

Ingredients to make French Green Lentil Salad - Serves 6

  • French Green lentil - 1 cup
  • Sweet red onion - ¼ cup (finely chopped)
  • Cucumber - ½ cup (finely chopped)
  • Tomatoes (deseeded) - ¼ cup
  • Jalapeno (deseeded) - 1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
  • Cilantro - 2 tablespoon (finely chopped)
  • Salt - to taste
  • Pepper - to taste

To make the Balsamic Vinegar dressing -

  • Balsamic vinegar - 3 tbsp
  • Dijon mustard - 1 tbsp
  • Honey - ½ tablespoon (use maple syrup if Vegan)

French Green Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinegar Dressing

Procedure to make the French Green Lentil Salad -

  • Rinse the lentils well under running water and soak it in water for about an hour. Soaking is not essential but it helps in cooking the lentils faster.

French Green Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinegar Dressing

  • Once the lentils have soaked for a bit, drain the water and add it to a pot. Add plenty of fresh water to the pot and bring it to a boil.
  • Let the lentils cook until it is cooked half way through. Add a bit of salt to the boiling water and let the lentils cook until it is soft when crushed between the fingers, but not mushy. Mine took about 20 minutes to cook after I had soaked it for about an hour. If using lentils without soaking, it might take a little longer to cook.
  • Make sure that the lentils still have a bite to them and are not very mushy. Drain it in a colander and let it sit for few minutes until it has drained completely.

French Green Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinegar Dressing

  • In the meantime chop the rest of the vegetables and add it to a serving dish.

French Green Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinegar Dressing

  • Add the well drained lentil in to the same bowl and add salt and pepper to taste.
  • To make the dressing - Whisk together all the ingredients mentioned in a small bowl.
  • Add the dressing to the lentil mixture and mix well.

French Green Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinegar Dressing

  • Refrigerate the salad for at least couple of hours before serving. The salad can be served at room temperature as well but I preferred it cold.

French Green Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinegar Dressing

If you are looking for more filling salad recipes, that can serve as a meal on its own, check out these recipes below -

Summer Barley Salad

Farro Salad with Tahini Dressing

Asian Pasta Salad with Peanut Dressing

french green lentil salad

French Green Lentil Salad

French Green Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinegar dressing – A flavorful meal on its own!
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Author: Sandhya Ramakrishnan

Ingredients

  • French Green lentil - 1 cup
  • Sweet red onion - ¼ cup finely chopped
  • Cucumber - ½ cup finely chopped
  • Tomatoes deseeded - ¼ cup
  • Jalapeno deseeded - 1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
  • Cilantro - 2 tbsp finely chopped
  • Salt - to taste
  • Pepper - to taste

To make the Balsamic Vinegar dressing -

  • Balsamic vinegar - 3 tbsp
  • Dijon mustard - 1 tbsp
  • Honey - ½ tbsp

Instructions

  • Rinse the lentils well under running water and soak it in water for about an hour. Soaking is not essential but it helps in cooking the lentils faster.
  • Once the lentils have soaked for a bit, drain the water and add it to a pot. Add plenty of fresh water to the pot and bring it to a boil.
  • Let the lentils cook until it is cooked half way through. Add a bit of salt to the boiling water and let the lentils cook until it is soft when crushed between the fingers, but not mushy. Mine took about 20 minutes to cook after I had soaked it for about an hour. If using lentils without soaking, it might take a little longer to cook.
  • Make sure that the lentils still have a bite to them and are not very mushy. Drain it in a colander and let it sit for few minutes until it has drained completely.
  • In the meantime chop the rest of the vegetables and add it to a serving dish.
  • Add the well drained lentil in to the same bowl and add salt and pepper to taste.
  • To make the dressing - Whisk together all the ingredients mentioned in a small bowl.
  • Add the dressing to the lentil mixture and mix well.
  • Refrigerate the salad for at least couple of hours before serving. The salad can be served at room temperature as well but I preferred it cold.
Tried this recipe?Mention @Sandhya.Ramakrishnan or tag #MyCookingJourney!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jayashree T.Rao says

    March 05, 2020 at 4:21 am

    French lentils are quite new to me, the salad looks tasty and ideal for a light dinner. I need to find more information about it.

    Reply
  2. Lathiya says

    February 26, 2020 at 11:15 am

    5 stars
    The salad looks so wholesome with simple ingredients. I will look for french green lentil next time.

    Reply
  3. Priya Srinivasan says

    February 24, 2020 at 10:05 am

    5 stars
    Lovely salad sandhya! looks very fresh and pretty easy to make and i love salads with simple dressing!!! this would be make a pretty filling meal anytime!!

    Reply
  4. Uma Srinivas says

    February 21, 2020 at 9:48 pm

    5 stars
    Lentil salad is always nutritious and yummy. Your recipe sounds good with all the ingredients. Maybe I will skip the honey 🙂

    Reply
  5. Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey says

    February 21, 2020 at 2:51 pm

    These lentils are also known as puy lentils and we love it in our cooking. In salad form, it's our favourite too, healthy, wholesome and packed with flavours. Totally agree, meal on its own.

    Reply
    • Ruchi says

      February 23, 2020 at 11:00 am

      5 stars
      Such a healthy and filling salad. Lovely recipe dear. Adding of delicious dressing must add on the taste. Superb flavourful healthy salad recipe

      Reply
  6. Jolly says

    February 20, 2020 at 4:43 am

    French Green Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinegar dressing sounds so interesting. It’s so simple yet flavorful salad. Can we use Masoor Brown lentil for this salad instead of green one..

    Reply
  7. Lata Lala says

    February 19, 2020 at 1:36 am

    5 stars
    French Green Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinegar dressing sounds so flavorful. It's so simple yet filling salad. Lentils with salad is my favorite combo.

    Reply
  8. Mayuri Patel says

    February 18, 2020 at 10:34 am

    What a wonderful way to enjoy the healthy lentils. Simple and filling.With Dijon mustard, must be so flavorful.

    Reply
  9. Pavani says

    February 17, 2020 at 6:20 pm

    5 stars
    I love French lentils because they have a nice bite and taste absolutely delicious. Your salad is so colorful and flavorful. Balsamic vinegar dressing sounds yummy!!

    Reply
  10. Shailender Sharma says

    February 17, 2020 at 8:01 am

    5 stars
    Salads always come with so much of goodness and health, so as this one. Looks delicious and mouthwatering.

    Reply
  11. Jayashree says

    March 07, 2017 at 4:49 pm

    Is this the fresh version of masoor dal? Looks so much like it. Balsamic vinegar is something that I am very fond of.

    Reply
  12. Chef Mireille says

    March 05, 2017 at 11:26 am

    I use these lentils mostly for soup - what a great idea this one is for salads

    Reply
  13. themadscientsist says

    March 04, 2017 at 9:50 am

    I love these lentils and the salad ... well you know I ma a soup and salad person. Will try a find the fresh ones else will make from the dried lentils.

    Reply
  14. harini says

    March 02, 2017 at 6:54 am

    Healthy salad Sandhya.

    Reply
  15. Srivalli Jetti says

    February 28, 2017 at 12:57 am

    Do these taste similar to what we get Sandhya?..lovely salad.

    Reply
  16. Pavani says

    February 27, 2017 at 6:32 pm

    I love French lentils and balsamic vinegar. I'm going to give this salad a try soon.

    Reply
  17. Sandhiya says

    February 27, 2017 at 2:29 pm

    That's one healthy salad.The dressing sounds simple yet delicious.

    Reply
  18. Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner says

    February 27, 2017 at 1:28 pm

    Healthy Salad!! anytimg with lentils im in!!

    Reply
  19. Priya Suresh says

    February 27, 2017 at 12:04 pm

    Wow, cant wait to make this salad, i have this green lentils at home. Very healthy salad Sandhya.

    Reply
  20. srividhya says

    February 27, 2017 at 11:05 am

    Its my fav lentil and my fav dressing. Love balsamic vinegar with anything and everything. 🙂

    Reply
  21. Usha says

    February 27, 2017 at 9:54 am

    Love these lentils both in salads and soups.

    Reply
  22. Kalyani says

    February 25, 2017 at 11:07 am

    That's a great salad sandhya! Does it taste similar to whole masoor dal? Remember eating these in Paris , Unless am mistaking one lentil for the orher

    Reply
  23. Gayathri Kumar says

    February 25, 2017 at 12:38 am

    Very healthy nutritious salad. The dressing sounds so yum..

    Reply

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I am Sandhya Ramakrishnan, author, recipe developer and photographer in this journey! 'My Cooking Journey' is all about family friendly Vegetarian and Vegan recipes from around the World with focus on Indian cuisine.

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