One of my favorite things about this time of year is playing around with fun, summertime ingredients and making delicious, fresh, flavor-filled salads! If you’ve been around here for awhile, then you know that I used to HATE salads. I wanted my food COOKED! But since really learning about what ingredients compliment each other, making homemade dressings, and adding in ingredients that truly add so much flavor and the right textures, I can say that I now LOVE (like, really love) salads.
Friends, I’m so excited to share one of my FAVORITE spring/summer salads with you guys today! It’s quick, easy, and sure to impress. Made with both fresh and sun-dried tomatoes, this lentil arugula salad is so incredibly flavorful! Easily make it vegan by using vegan crumble cheese instead of goat cheese, or pair it with your favorite protein. Let’s make this yummy Sun-Dried Tomato & Arugula Lentil Salad!
RELATED: 15+ Healthy Spring Salad Recipes
Ingredients
All you need to make this Sun-Dried Tomato & Arugula Lentil Salad are 6 simple ingredients!
- Lentils – Green or brown lentils both work great! You can make your own lentils or buy these pre-cooked lentils for salads.
- Arugula – The peppery taste of arugula is wonderful in this recipe!
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes – The flavor that sun-dried tomatoes add to this delicious lentil arugula salad is unbeatable! These sun-dried tomatoes are my favorite to keep on hand.
- Grape Tomatoes – I also like adding freshly cut grape tomatoes to this salad, but it can be optional as we do also already have sun-dried tomatoes.
- Walnuts – Chopped walnuts add texture and healthy fats to this yummy salad.
- Goat Cheese – There’s nothing like creamy goat cheese in this arugula lentil salad to balance the flavors!
- Vegan Turmeric Ginger Dressing – Last but not least, this Vegan Turmeric Ginger Dressing is my favorite for this recipe. The flavors in this dressing really bring it all together! Other options for dressings are this Creamy Lemon Tahini Dressing or Classic Lemon Vinaigrette.
How to Cook Lentils for Salads
One of my favorite things is to make a big batch of lentils all at once and then have them on hand for recipes throughout the week. They are such a great source of vegetarian protein and are perfect for adding to soups, salads, toast, and so much more! Here’s how to cook lentils for salads:
- Rinse the lentils.
- Using a 4:1 ration, bring water to a boil.
- Add in the lentils.
- Cook green lentils for 18-20 minutes and brown lentils for 20-22 minutes.
- Drain any excess water and add to your salads!
Cooked lentils can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 3 months!
Brown Lentils vs. Green Lentils
Both brown and green lentils are great options for soups and salads! Brown lentils tend to take a little less time to cook and are softer. While green lentils tend to have a bit more protein, brown lentils have a little bit more fiber. Both types of lentils are high in folate and fiber, making them wholesome and perfect for healthy recipes!
How to Make an Arugula Lentil Salad (in 4 Easy Steps!)
Making an arugula lentil salad is INCREDIBLY easy. Here’s how to whip this recipe up in 4 easy steps!
- Cook the lentils.
- Combine arugula, tomatoes, walnuts, goat cheese, and dressing or vinaigrette.
- Mix in the cooked lentils.
- Enjoy!
Want to add more protein? Roasted chicken is a great pairing with this salad!
What to Make with Leftover Lentils
Need recipe ideas for leftover lentils? Here’s what to make!
- Vegetarian Lentil & Sweet Potato Curry
- BEST Lemon Balsamic Lentil Salad
- Tomato & Lentil Breakfast Bruschetta
- The BEST Coconut Lentil & Chickpea Curry
- Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup Recipe
Did you make this Sun-Dried Tomato & Arugula Lentil Salad? Be sure to give it a rating below and tag your photos @jar.of.lemons!
Sun-Dried Tomato & Arugula Lentil Salad
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dry lentils
- 2-3 cups arugula
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 cup grape tomatoes (halved)
- 2 Tbsp crushed walnuts
- 2 Tbsp goat cheese crumbles (or vegan cheese crumbles)
- 2-4 Tbsp Vegan Turmeric Ginger Dressing
Instructions
- Cook the lentils according to package directions.
- Top the arugula with sun-dried tomatoes, halved grape tomatoes, walnuts, goat cheese, and dressing.
- Add the cooked lentils to the salads and enjoy!
Christina says:
This was just the most beautiful and most delicious salad!!
Kim says:
You’re right! This is a keeper. I love lentils and this is going right into the weekly rotation.
Live Off Freelancing says:
Looks delicious!
Christine McMichael replied:
Thank you!
Emilee says:
Oh my gosh, my mouth is watering looking at this recipe! This salad looks delicious and healthy! I will definitely make it with the dressing soon.
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks so much, Emilee! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Jared @ thehesitantchef.com says:
Looks like a great salad! Lot’s of goodies in there to make it satisfying and delicious!
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Jared! 🙂
Mary says:
This look incredible! I’m going to have to try this this summer!
Christine McMichael replied:
Thank you, Mary! Enjoy!
Kalyn Franke says:
Looks awesome. It is still somehow winter-feeling in London at times, but on our scorching days, I do not want ANYTHING heavy and this looks like it could fit the bill. 🙂
Christine McMichael replied:
Aw I bet! Haha I totally agree. Enjoy the recipe!
Caitlin Culver says:
I’m right there with ya in the pizza vs. salad debate…can we just have both somehow?! It’d make life just thaaattt much better! I love how you mixed sundried tomatoes with fresh tomatoes! A salad with a lot of different textures keeps me from getting bored and combining those two sounds delish!
Christine McMichael replied:
Haha right???? It totally would! Thanks, girl! I definitely agree, I’m the same way!
Travel Pockets (Crystal) says:
Oh my, this looks so healthy and delicious! Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to try it.
Christine McMichael replied:
Thank you, Crystal!
Josselyn Martinez says:
wow, I checked a few of your post and love it how healthy
everything you do!!
I’ll love to have you in my blog!!!!
as guest!!
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks so much, Josselyn! Yes, shoot me a message!
Melissa Macauley says:
mmmm….yummy. So healthy and so delicious.
Christine McMichael replied:
Thank you, Melissa! 🙂
soniya Saluja says:
Great summertime Salad!!
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Soniya!
Jolina - The Unlikely Baker says:
A salad that tastes like pizza. Let me take a moment to think about that…ok moment over. That is epic! My dinner consisted of salad that tasted like, well, salad haha. Will try this soon!
Christine McMichael replied:
Haha, agreed! So good. Pizza for the win! Enjoy the recipe! 😉
,nicole says:
You had me in love with this salad when you said it tasted like pizza!
Christine McMichael replied:
Hahaha, I think that’s for sure what drew me in! So good!
Darci Lopez says:
This recipe sounds amazing. Will print and try! Thank you for sharing it 🙂
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Darci! Enjoy the recipe! 🙂