Savory, crunchy, refreshing, and LOADED with nutrition. This is the BEST Lemon Balsamic Lentil Salad ever! And my absolute go-to right now. I’ve been eating it for lunch lately (with a hard boiled egg and some chicken for added protein), but it can easily be kept vegan. It’s also great as a work lunch or on-the-go!
Ok, so I need to get real about something. If you’ve spent any length of time here on Jar Of Lemons, you likely already know this from reading the Golden Beet Pecan Detox Salad and Sun-Dried Tomato & Arugula Lentil Salad posts. But if you’re new to this community, I have a confession that may (or may not) shock you: I am not a salad person. No, wait, let’s try that again. I nearly loathe salads.
Wait, what?
Yeah….I know. It’s kind of embarrassing that I, the “healthy eating blogger girl”, actually only wants to live off of pizza, hamburgers, and donuts. BUT, real life reminds me that living off of those things just isn’t going to cut it on a daily basis, and salads are a great way to load up on nutrition! And when I say that I nearly loathe salads, I mean boring salads with preservative-filled dressings. Ya know?
All that to say this: When I post a salad recipe on here, it’s….well….kind of a big deal 😉
And THAT, my friend, is how you know that this Lemon Balsamic Lentil Salad is truly the BEST of it’s kind!
I’m also really digging this not-boring-salad-on-the-go situation right now. Even though I mostly work from home right now, there are days where I know I’ll be out all day and need a healthy option that’s ready to go.
BIG TIME Shoutout to the Rubbermaid BRILLIANCE Lunch Snack & Salad Kit for making life a MILLION times easier! Y’all. These containers are 100% leak-proof guaranteed, have insert trays and dividers that are customizable, they’re stain-resistant, and BPA-free. Does it get any better than that?
My favorite part about these Rubbermaid BRILLIANCE Lunch Snack & Salad Kits is that they keep ingredients separate and fresh until you’re ready to mix them together. Just place the ingredients of this Lemon Balsamic Lentil Salad in the salad container, add some snacks to your snack container, and throw them in your fave tote bag! SO perfect for a healthy option on-the-go!
GOOD NEWS! We’re giving away a Rubbermaid BRILLIANCE Lunch Kit! Simply let us know what your favorite “tote-able” lunch is in the comments below to enter 😉 Giveaway will end on Friday, Sept. 8th and the winner will be notified via email.
Here’s the recipe for the BEST Lemon Balsamic Lentil Salad!
BEST Lemon Balsamic Lentil Salad
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup lentils
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp agave syrup
- 2 cups spinach, chopped
- 1/2 red pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cucumber, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the lentils according to directions.
- While the lentils are cooking, make the salad dressing by mixing the lemon juice, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and agave together.
- Chop the spinach, red pepper, and cucumber.
- Combine all ingredients and enjoy!
Hannah G says:
My favorite lunch is chia pudding and some fresh veggies and hummus.
Christine McMichael replied:
Yum!!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says:
What a delicious looking salad – and it’s good for you to boot. I haven’t used lentils in my salads before. I don’t know why but your beautiful salad is inspiring to do so ASAP.
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Marisa! 🙂 Enjoy!
Linda @ 2 Cookin Mamas says:
I have packages of all different colored lentils and this looks like the perfect salad to try them in. And your light dressing with a lemony touch is the perfect topper.
Christine McMichael replied:
That’s so perfect!!
Veena Azmanov says:
OH I am a big salad person!! I love salads as long as they are not boring. In fact my husband now loves salads just because I enjoy them so much. This looks delis. I love lentil salad and pairing it with lemons and balsamic sounds so refreshing.
Christine McMichael replied:
Haha that’s awesome! Enjoy the recipe! 🙂
Helene D'Souza says:
That is indeed a bowl full of flavor and also great nutritious food. I could happily call this my lunch anytime and enjoy every single bite. Winter and summer 😀
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Helene! It’s so good!
Hanady | Recipe Nomad says:
Love the lunch kits! They’ll make my work lunch so easy! Love the salad recipe too!
Christine McMichael replied:
They’re SO great! Thanks, Hanady!
Kim Avery says:
Honestly my favorite “tote-able” lunch is always leftovers from the night before! I do try to bring fruits to snack on also.
Christine McMichael replied:
I do love leftovers from a yummy dinner!
Emmaline says:
I’m always looking for new lunch ideas- and this salad looks perfect! I’m not very creative with lunches, so my favorites tend to be leftovers. Like I said, not very creative.
Christine McMichael replied:
Haha, I’m not always creative, either. Sometimes literally PB&J! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Michelle Trainor Masters says:
We’re big on using up leftovers for our lunches
Christine McMichael replied:
Me too! Love it!
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says:
Firstly this salad looks delicious.
I love the simplicity of the dressing. Balsamic vinegar is such a great flavour to shine through.
Secondly how cool are those little lunch boxes!!! I wonder if they are available here in Australia they would be perfect for my youngest boy. He loves salads.
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Claire! Love the lunch boxes. They’re so great for on-the-go! Not sure if they have them there, but hope they do!
Jordana says:
I love making all kinds of bean salads!
Christine McMichael replied:
Sounds amazing!
Carolsue says:
Cobb Salad Wraps are my all-time favorite lunch!
Christine McMichael replied:
Yum, love it!
Annette says:
I like chunky chicken salad with grapes and string cheese.
Christine McMichael replied:
YUM! Sounds amazing 😉
Adriana Lopez Martin says:
I enjoy lentils a lot I eat them very often and even add to salsa and salads so this recipe is perfect for me. And those Rubbermaid containers rock!
Christine McMichael replied:
Me too, so good! Never thought to add them to salsa. Such a great idea! 🙂
Michelle Catallo says:
Honestly, I would have to say a salad is my favorite “tote-able” lunch for work. so many different variations, it never gets boring. Thanks for the recipe, adding to my “to make” list for lunches. Can’t wait to try it out; I have so many lentils I need to cook!
Christine McMichael replied:
That’s so awesome, Michelle! 🙂 Enjoy!