Sesame Free Turmeric-Ginger Lentil & Cucumber Salad
Bright, earthy, and packed with texture, this lentil and cucumber salad is the kind of dish that feels both nourishing and genuinely exciting to eat. The dressing is where the magic happens — fresh lemon juice, grated ginger, and ground turmeric come together with olive oil and cumin into something deeply fragrant and vibrant without relying on any sesame oil or tahini, which can sneak into similar salads and dressings. Green or French lentils hold their shape beautifully after cooking, giving you that satisfying bite alongside cool cucumber half-moons, fresh parsley, and sliced scallion greens. Dry-roasted pumpkin seeds add a nutty crunch that rounds everything out, and the whole thing comes together without a single ingredient that should raise any flags for those avoiding sesame. It works just as well as a hearty lunch on its own as it does alongside grilled proteins or tucked into a weeknight spread. A pinch of red pepper flakes at the end gives it a gentle kick if you want it — totally optional, totally worth it.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the lentils
- 1 cup green or french lentils, rinsed
- 3 cups water
- ½ tsp salt
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 ½ lemons)
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
For the salad
- 1 english cucumber, halved lengthwise and sliced into half-moons
- ½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
- 3 scallions (green tops only), thinly sliced
- ¼ cup dry-roasted pumpkin seeds
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (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 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, turmeric, grated ginger, garlic, cumin, black pepper, and 1/4 tsp salt in a small bowl until the dressing is uniform in color and the oil is fully emulsified.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!