Tender oven-roasted vegetables in a delicious marinade with lentils, pistachios and raisins make for one crave-worthy vegan winter salad! Strikingly beautiful and so delicious, lentils with roasted vegetables is surprisingly easy to make and meal prep-friendly.
A hearty and satisfying salad….or is it a meal? So vibrant and delicious, go ahead and include these lentils with roasted veggies wherever you can. A healthy salad is so energizing you’ll want to eat it over and over again.
This strikingly beautiful salad combines tender roasted carrots, fennel, onions and cauliflower with protein-rich lentils in a simple marinade that’s out of this world delsh!
I’m over here eating this for the third day in a row (well hello healthy meal prep)…and I’m not a bit sorry. I love a meal that is loaded with texture, color, taste and nutrition….yup, this one checks off all the boxes. I’m definitely smitten.
What kind of lentils are best for salad?
I used small black beluga lentils. The small green french lentils are another good choice for salad. I wouldn’t use red lentils for this recipe though. Red and yellow split lentils tend to break up when cooked, making them perfect for lentil soups and stews when they don’t need to hold their shape.
How to Perfectly Cook Lentils for Salad with Roasted Vegetables:
It’s important to pick over your lentils before cooking. It’s not unusual to find small stones in a bag of lentils. Also, you’ll want to rinse them well, in a large mesh strainer.
STOVE TOP METHOD: Place rinsed lentils plus 2 ½ cups water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and then turn down to gently simmer for 16 minutes, then drain.
INSTANT-POT PERFECT LENTILS: Place rinsed lentils along with 2 ½ cups water into instant pot and set pressure to high. Cook for 6 minutes, use quick release and then drain.
DO NOT COOK LONGER THAN DIRECTED. Lentils should be tender, but definitely NOT MUSHY for including in salad.
How to cut vegetables (fennel, cauliflower, onions and carrots) for roasting:
There’s no need to shy away from vegetables that look tricky to trim and prep for roasting. Fennel is a good example. See photos above for the step by step. I like to trim the fronds on the top and save for garnish. If you leave the root end on both the onions and fennel intact before cutting, you’ll have some beautiful fan like slices.
Delicious Spice blend for Easy and Tasty Roasted Veggies
This marinade comes together so quickly. Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup then add the spices including cinnamon, allspice, turmeric and cumin and just a dash of cayenne. Reserve just a bit for the salad, and pour the rest over the veggies to roast.
I love how cinnamon evokes a sweet aroma and taste to even the most savory of veggies. The combination of cinnamon and allspice together with fennel and onions when roasted creates a caramelized, addictive deliciousness that you must taste to fully appreciate.
EASY peasy when you roast the veggies and the pistachios at the same time…while the lentils are cooking. It is important that everything is in a single layer so there’s plenty of room to brown. You may need to use two trays for this.
Lentils with Roasted Vegetables
I’ll be honest, I really had a hard time figuring out what to call this. Seriously. It’s not easy. I eat this warm for dinner, and I don’t really think of it as salad. It’s satisfying and hearty and definitely a meal in itself.
Yet, when I eat the EXACT SAME THING (because it’s so freakin delicious I just want it all the time) for lunch the next day, I call it a lentil salad. Maybe you call it easy meal prep idea? Seems so cliche fall….cool nights call for hot dinner and warm days need a nourishing salad like this one.
I plan on making this as a healthy side dish for Rosh Hashanah and for Thanksgiving….totally worthy of a holiday meal. Don’t you think? Shh…nobody has to know that it’s so easy to make, you can pull it off on a busy weeknight too!
I suppose it doesn’t much matter what it’s called as long as I can continue to enjoy it regularly! Lentils with Roasted Vegetables, Lentil Salad with Veggies, Oven Roasted Veggie Side Dish…..what will YOU call it? All I can tell you for sure is that it’s super tasty and I’m totally smitten…with the taste, the texture, the colors…..and the way I feel after I’ve eaten it: super energized!
Looking for more holiday worthy, easy plant-based dishes?
- Quick and Healthy Tzimmes
- Stuffed Mushrooms
- Vegan Beef Stew
- Crunchy Quinoa Salad
- Stuffed Butternut Squash
- Blueberry Tart
📖 Recipe
Lentil Salad with Roasted Vegetables
Ingredients
- ¾ cup french green or black beluga lentils
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 lb. carrots*
- 2 red onions
- 2 small fennel bulbs or 1 large
- ½ cup pistachios*
Marinade/Dressing
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne
Garnish
- ⅓ cup golden raisins*
- Fronds from the fennel
- Something green: either chopped fresh parsley or stacked and julienned collard greens or lacinato kale.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400
- PREPARE VEGGIES: Cut cauliflower into florets. Peel carrots and cut into thick circles. Cut onion through the root end and then into wedges or thin slices or a combo. Trim fennel fronds and save for garnish; cut through the center and then into ½" wedges. Place all in large bowl.
- MAKE MARINADE: whisk together olive oil, vinegar and maple syrup until emulsified. Sprinkle in spices and mix again.
- Pour ¾ marinade over veggies and toss until evenly coated. Arrange in single layer on rimmed baking tray. You may need two trays to give them enough room to nicely brown. Roast for 35 minutes, until golden brown and tender.
- Meanwhile, prepare lentils*. Rinse well and then place in a small saucepan with 3 cups water. Bring to boil and then turn down to simmer and cook for 16 minutes. You want tender, not mushy lentils. Drain and place in bowl that veggies were mixed in.
- Pour remaining dressing/marinade over lentils and mix well. When veggies are done, add to bowl along with raisins and mix.
- Arrange on platter: OPTIONAL: place thinly sliced greens (lacinato kale or collard greens) on bottom of platter and then veggie mix. Top with fennel fronds, a sprinkle of salt + pepper and more nuts or raisins as desired.
- Roasted Veggies and lentils will stay good in the fridge for up to a week.
Amy
I love a good lentil recipe! My family loved this. It was easy to make and so flavoursome. The marinade was gold! Loved the addition of allspice as that has got to be one of my all time favourites.
Kay
We thoroughly enjoyed this lentil salad with our chicken yesterday. Thanks for the easy to follow recipe.
Amanda Marie Boyle
This is so good, but what I appreciate the most is the instapot directions for the lentils!
Debra Klein
Thank you….in the past few months that instant pot has totally earned its spot on the counter!
Amanda Marie Boyle
This is so good, thanks for the instapot lentil directions
Tera
Thanks so much for this delicious recipe! I love new ways to use lentils.
Andréa Janssen
I love this lentil salad with roasted vegetables. So full of flavor.
Emily Flint
This salad is not only healthy but delicious, I LOVE roasted vegetables on anything and everything!
Sue
I love all the veggies in this but also the inclusion of lentils. It makes this the kind of salad that is a perfect meal, and I’m not hungry 2 hours later!
Magali
What a great recipe that I would definitely try this weekend! I love salad with roasted vegetables! Amazing pictures by the way!
Debra Klein
Thank you! I’ve been working on my photography! Enjoy the salad.
Alexandra
So delcious and so colourful! I love this salad.
Debra Klein
Thank you…it’s definitely one of the beautiful ones.
Mama Maggie's Kitchen
Sarah James
What a tasty salad , loved the spicy dressing.
Sarah James
What a tasty salad , loved the spicy dressing.
Debra Klein
Thank you….it’s a great flavor combo.
Kay
Capri
Such a delicious meal! The roasted vegetables and lentils are absolutely delicious together
Kasy
Looks super tasty and a great recipe for the fall season!
Debra Klein
It’s the perfect transition season salad.
Christina
OMG, this looks so good, I can’t wait to make this.
Debra Klein
I can’t wait to hear how much you love it!
Swathi
Delicious and filling protein rich salad.
Susan
This salad is amazing! The spice combo is out of this world. Thank you for such a fabulous, healthy dish!
Debra Klein
Thanks Susan….glad you’re enjoying it as much as I am!
Gourmet Vegetarians
Love a good roasted vegetable salad! And lentils are always such a great source of added protein. Thank you for the salad inspo 🙂
Debra Klein
You’re welcome…so happy to provide inspo for healthy eating.
Tami Zimmerman
Came across this recipe and had to make it! Absolutely delicious and the colors are beautiful! I loved it! Thanks so much for sharing!
Debra Klein
You’re welcome! One of my faves!
Candice
Hearty, delicious, simple, and easy-to-find ingredients… this lentil salad is a winter winner! We will be making this one over and over again.
Debra Klein
Thank you…totally agree! It’s on repeat over here too.
Amanda
This salad came out beautifully! The lentils added the perfect heartiness, and I love the flavor the roasted vegetables gave it. Definitely worth making!
Debra Klein
Completely agree. Thank you!
Beth
I loved this post, from the helpful suggestions about chopping the vegetables for roasting to the savory variety of ingredients in the recipe. Pinning, too.
Debra Klein
Thank you….I try to share what I know to make eating more veggies accessible to everyone.
Marisa F. Stewart
This is just what we needed — a salad that was a bit different than our usual lettuce one. Loved the lentils in it and the dressing was superb. I really couldn’t stop eating it. I’m already planning on making it next week, again.
Debra Klein
Exactly the way I feel about this salad!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
Not only is this salad absolutely beautiful but it’s incredibly delicious! It’s a huge crowd favorite. The roasted veggies make this dish for sure! This is perfect as a side or main course! Definitely a must-make!!!
Debra Klein
So well said…totally agree. THank you.
Chef Dennis
OMG, my family loved this salad! Thank you for such a delicious salad recipe
Debra Klein
You’re welcome…a crowd pleaser for sure!
Janelle
Our family loved this salad and the colour is wonderful
Debra Klein
It’s a beauty…just one of the many things I love about this one. Thank you.
Paula Montenegro
A crave-worthy salad for sure! Beautiful ingredients and photos also. I love salads that are a whole meal and this one I can’t wait to try, since I usually don’t add fennel. Thanks for sharing.
Debra Klein
The fennel gets nice and sweet when roasted…a definite must try!
MJ
DELICIOUS! I top it off with lime or lemon wedges. Took me longer to prep than recipe says, but so worth the time.
Debra Klein
Freshly squeezed lime juice would add a fabulous zing!