Soy Free Pomegranate & Mint Lentil Salad with Cucumber
Bright, jewel-toned, and packed with contrasting textures, this lentil salad is the kind of dish that looks like you spent way more effort than you actually did. Green or French lentils are simmered until just tender, then tossed in a cumin-and-turmeric lemon dressing that soaks right in as they cool. Crisp cucumber, juicy pomegranate arils, and a generous handful of torn mint bring freshness and a little drama to every forkful. Scallion greens and optional flat-leaf parsley round out the herbaceous vibe without overwhelming the other flavors. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of soy — no tamari swaps needed, no label-reading required, just whole foods doing all the heavy lifting. It works beautifully as a make-ahead lunch, a side for grilled proteins, or an honest-to-goodness centerpiece on a mezze spread. The dressing comes together in one small bowl, the lentils need a single saucepan, and the whole thing is a fold-and-serve situation from there.
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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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