Every time I eat lentils, I remind myself that I should be eating them way more often. Not only are they chock full of nutrients, like iron, B-vitamins and plant-based protein; but they’re delicious, cheap, and cook up quite quickly. While we always seem to have lentils at home, they’re often overlooked in favor of seemingly more exciting options. That is, until this Curry Lentil Salad showed up. It’s hearty, delicious, and bursting with flavor - because even lentil salads deserve to be exciting.
Most lentil salads feel like side dishes. And that’s exactly how I wanted this dish to be different. While you could by all means eat this Curry Lentil Salad as a side, it truly does eat like a main. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have perfectly cooked beluga lentils, tossed in a fragrant curry vinaigrette. Crunchy apples, toasted cashews, fresh herbs, and a bed of creamy yogurt make this dish anything but basic. For a little extra something-something, you could also toast up some naan bread and use it to mop up leftover sauce. Because it’s so good you won’t want to leave a single drop behind. Enjoy this dish for a weeknight dinner, and get excited about packing up any leftovers - because they might even taste better the next day.
There are a lot of different types of lentils available and each is unique in its own way. For this dish, black beluga lentils are highly recommended. They’re firmer than most other lentils, and keep their shape even after being tossed in vinaigrette. They’ll hold up for a couple days in the refrigerator, without turning to mush, which means your leftovers will taste just as good (if not better) than the day before. You can typically find beluga lentils in the bulk aisle, or at the very least, in tall clear bags stocked in the legumes/grain section of your store. While beluga lentils aren’t quite as common as red or green lentils, they’re worth finding. If you’ve never given them a try before, I’ll bet they become one of your favorites.
The hardest part about this recipe is making sure you have the right spices on hand. And to be honest, that’s not too hard at all. You’ll probably already have most of the spices needed, and if you’re missing some, do your best to add them to your collection. You’ll use them time and time again. Since Indian cuisine is often loaded with unapologetically punchy flavors, this curry vinaigrette is no different. You’ll be surprised at how it transforms ho-hum lentils into a bright, flavorful dish that’s anything but boring. When serving up the lentils, make sure you scoop up any extra dressing and pour it on top. The extra vinaigrette that pools into the creamy yogurt is one of the best parts!
Curry Lentil Salad
Ingredients
- 1½ cups beluga lentils (picked over and rinsed)
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup (or honey)
- 1¼ teaspoons Madras curry powder
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 green apple, cut into matchsticks
- ⅓ cup chopped cilantro
- 3 scallions/green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 to 1½ cups Greek yogurt (see note 1)
- ⅓ cup toasted cashews, chopped
Instructions
- Cook lentils: Add lentils to a medium saucepan and cover with 3-inches (7 cm) water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook until tender (but not mushy), 15 to 20 minutes. (If the pot looks dry at any point, add more water). Drain lentils in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Shake off excess water.
- Make vinaigrette: Meanwhile, in a small jar, add olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, curry powder, dijon mustard, cumin, salt, cardamom, and cayenne. Seal with a lid and shake until well mixed. (Or alternatively whisk in a small bowl).
- Assemble: In a large bowl, combine lentils, vinaigrette, and lime juice. Toss to coat. Stir in apple, cilantro, and scallions. To serve, smear yogurt on the bottom of a plate or bowl. Top with lentils, then garnish with toasted cashews.
Notes
- Vegan option: Use a plain, unsweetened thick yogurt substitute. Or, leave the yogurt out entirely and serve with crusty bread or warm naan instead.
Dee says
This is a really fresh, healthy and very tasty meal! I used a can of beluga lentils and had 1/2 can for a portion. Can’t wait to have it again tomorrow - I’m going to add roasted peppers and tomatoes to up the veg intake!
Fernanda says
Hi there! If I can’t find beluga lentils what other kind I can use?
Bri says
Hi Fernanda! You could substitute French/green lentils instead. Just make sure to cook them el dente so they're still fairly firm (but cooked), and not mushy. Let us know how it goes!
Ed says
Diving into this tonight for a family dinner! Can't wait!
Anna says
Tried it and I‘m amazed! Fresh, tangy, love it!
Bri says
Hi Anna,
Woohoo, that's so great to hear you enjoyed the Curry Lentil Salad! Thanks for sharing!
xx Bri
Trish says
What kinf of Madras curry powder do you use???
Bri says
Hi Trish! To be honest, we're not super partial to a specific brand of Madras Curry Powder. I usually buy one of the brands that are in the "ethnic" section of the grocery store. They're not usually packaged as fancy as some of the other jars in the spice aisle, but you get a lot and the pricing is quite affordable. The brand in our cupboard right now is "Suraj" but I think I've also bought "Sher" brand in the past. If you can't find any Madras Curry Powder, it can also be labelled as Hot Curry Powder. Or if you're really in a pinch, just add some cayenne to regular Curry powder. Madras is a bit hotter, but otherwise it tends to be a very similar spice blend for "curry powder" and "madras curry powder"...at least those sold in North America! Hope this helps. If any other questions, don't hesitate to reach out!