Lentil & Walnut Salad
Puy lentils with walnuts, herbs, and a mustard-olive-oil dressing — fiber, plant protein, and omega-3 in a hearty salad.
Ingredients
- 200 g Puy lentils
- 50 g Walnuts
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 3 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp Salt
- 60 g Arugula (optional)
- ½ Red onion (optional)
- 4 tbsp Parsley (optional)
- 1 tbsp Red wine vinegar (optional)
Method
- Simmer the lentils in salted water until tender but holding shape, about 20 minutes; drain.
- Toast the walnuts in a dry pan until fragrant, about 3 minutes, then chop them.
- Whisk the mustard, vinegar, and olive oil into a dressing and shave the red onion.
- Toss the warm lentils with the dressing, walnuts, arugula, and parsley.
Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.
About Lentil & Walnut Salad
This lentil and walnut salad draws on Mediterranean and French country cooking, where cooked lentils are dressed while still warm so they drink up the vinaigrette. Puy lentils are the right choice here because they stay firm and distinct rather than turning to mush, giving the salad a pleasant, nutty bite. Toasted walnuts add crunch and a deep, roasted flavor, while arugula, parsley, and shaved red onion bring pepper, freshness, and a sharp edge that keeps the whole thing lively.
The dressing — Dijon whisked with red wine vinegar and olive oil — clings to the warm lentils and pulls everything together with a mustardy tang. It eats substantial for a salad, more of a light meal than a side, and delivers plant protein, fiber, and the omega-3s of the walnuts in one bowl. Serve it slightly warm or at room temperature; it holds up well, making it a strong candidate for packed lunches or a make-ahead component. Tossing the lentils with the dressing while they are still hot is what makes this version taste seasoned all the way through rather than merely coated.
Lentil & Walnut Salad: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Lentil & Walnut Salad?
A serving has about 503 calories — 20.3g protein, 48.2g carbs, 26.6g fat, 9.6g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Lentil & Walnut Salad gluten-free?
Based on its ingredients, Lentil & Walnut Salad has no gluten-containing components, so it's naturally gluten-free — as always, check that any packaged ingredients you use are certified gluten-free to be safe.
How long does Lentil & Walnut Salad take to make?
About 30 minutes start to finish, but only around 9 of those are hands-on — the rest is largely unattended cooking time you can step away from. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
Do I need every ingredient to make Lentil & Walnut Salad?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out arugula, red onion, parsley — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Lentil & Walnut Salad make?
This recipe makes 3 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.