Anti Inflammatory Pomegranate & Mint Lemony Lentils
Earthy green lentils meet bright lemon, jewel-like pomegranate arils, and fresh mint in a bowl that genuinely looks as good as it tastes. The dressing does a lot of heavy lifting here — extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, turmeric, and cumin come together into something tangy, warm, and deeply satisfying. Turmeric and olive oil are two of the most well-researched ingredients when it comes to supporting a low-inflammation lifestyle, and they show up in every single bite. The lentils are cooked just until tender so they hold their shape, then tossed warm into the dressing so they soak up every bit of flavor before the finishing ingredients go in. Pomegranate arils add little bursts of sweetness and crunch, while torn mint keeps the whole dish feeling fresh and lively. Optional dry-roasted pumpkin seeds bring a satisfying nuttiness if you want a little extra texture. This recipe serves four and works beautifully warm straight from the pot or at room temperature, making it an easy make-ahead option for busy weeks.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 cup green lentils, rinsed
- 3 cups water
- ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 ½ lemons)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For finishing
- ½ cup pomegranate arils
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, roughly torn
- 3 green onions (green tops only), thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp dry-roasted pumpkin seeds (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the rinsed lentils, water, and 1/2 tsp salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook, uncovered, until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape, 20–25 minutes. Drain through a fine-mesh strainer and spread on a large plate or sheet pan to cool for 5 minutes.
- 2
While the lentils cook, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, turmeric, cumin, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl until combined.
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