Mustard Free Pomegranate & Mint Lentil Salad with Cucumber
This salad is a bright, jewel-toned bowl that manages to feel both hearty and refreshing at the same time. Tender green lentils soak up a golden dressing of lemon juice, cumin, and turmeric, while cool diced cucumber and bursts of pomegranate arils keep every bite lively. Torn fresh mint and sliced scallion greens add a fragrant, herby lift that ties the whole thing together beautifully. Many packaged dressings and spice blends sneak in mustard or mustard flour as an emulsifier or flavor booster, but this dressing is built entirely from scratch with ingredients you can see and verify yourself — olive oil, fresh lemon, and warm spices, nothing hidden. The technique is simple: simmer the lentils until just tender, spread them out to cool so they don't turn mushy, then toss everything together at the end for clean, distinct textures. It works equally well as a light main or a generous side dish, and the flavors actually deepen if you let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the lentils
- 1 cup green or french lentils, rinsed
- 2 ½ cups water
- ½ tsp salt
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
For the salad
- 1 english cucumber, diced (about 2 cups)
- ¾ cup pomegranate arils
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, roughly torn
- 3 scallions (green tops only), thinly sliced
- ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the rinsed lentils, water, and ½ 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 any remaining water and spread the lentils on a large plate or sheet pan to cool for 10 minutes.
- 2
While the lentils cool, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, turmeric, black pepper, and ¼ tsp salt in a small bowl until the dressing is uniform and slightly thickened.
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