Easy Lentil Nicoise Salad Recipe - Delish Knowledge (2024)

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Lentil Nicoise Salad! You will love this protein packed plant-based meal. Potatoes, vegetables, seasoned lentils, green beans and a shallot dressing.

this Recipe

Here’s my vegan and gluten-free version of the classic niçoise salad. Though, I suppose if I’m not using tuna or hard boiled eggs I can’t really call it a classic.

Doesn’t matter to me. This version is just as, if not better, than the traditional. You’ve still got the creamy addition of baby potatoes, crisp green beans, salty niçoise olives, hearty lentils and lots of tangy shallot dressing. Gosh. I could eat this salad almost daily and not get tired of it. There are so many wonderful ingredients that complement each other perfectly; all tucked into a satiating and fiber-rich meal.

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Want the most delicious lentil niçoise salad? Then don’t worry about arranging each ingredient on the salad plate. Yes, I know how much that makes Instagram happy, but a salad should be well-dressed and tossed together so that you get all those yummy flavors in each bite.

Easy Lentil Nicoise Salad

A bit of briny olives, creamy potatoes, tender green beans, juicy tomatoes… you know where I’m going with this. As much as I love the look of a composed salad, I hate eating them that way. And for a vegan niçoise salad, I think that’s an absolute must.

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These microwave-ready Savory Herb potatoes from The Little Potato Company are perfect in this salad. Open them up, throw them in the microwave with a little oil and seasoning packet and they are ready in just 5 minutes.

Small and creamy, they are the perfect size for this salad. I don’t even slice ’em in half, just enjoy them whole. That’s the real beauty of The Little Potato Company– the creamer potatoes come pre-washed and in the microwave-ready version, practically ready to go. I love that I can have a healthy side-dish (or salad component) in just 5 minutes.

The savory herb seasoning packet also makes for a great dressing base. Use half to cook the potatoes, then save the other half for making the shallot dressing.

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Since the potatoes are so easy, I kept the rest of the ingredients easy as well. I’m using pre-steamed lentils that I picked up from the produce section of the grocery store along with fresh, steam-able green beans.

I rarely spend the extra money on ready-to-go produce and lentils like this, but I wanted a salad that could come together quickly. While I love lentils, I don’t always have the 45 minutes needed to cook and then cool them. Pre-steamed lentils are perfect for salads like this, and still an inexpensive source of plant-based proteins.

If you can’t find pre-steamed lentils or steam-ready green beans, then just use regular and cook your own lentils. This salad is also an easy on to add to meal-prep menus; make all of the ingredients ahead of time, then assemble when ready to eat.

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If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge .I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking!

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Easy Lentil Nicoise Salad Recipe - Delish Knowledge (9)

Vegan Lentil Nicoise Salad

  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: main, salad, lunch, vegan, vegetarian, dinner
  • Method: Microwave
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Easy Lentil Nicoise Salad! You will love this protein packed plant-based meal. Potatoes, vegetables, seasoned lentils, green beans and a shallot dressing. Gluten-Free and Vegan.

Print Recipe

  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: main, salad, lunch, vegan, vegetarian, dinner
  • Method: Microwave
  • Cuisine: American
  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: main, salad, lunch, vegan, vegetarian, dinner
  • Method: Microwave
  • Cuisine: American

Scale

Ingredients

Shallot-Herb Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons finely diced shallots
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black peppers
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 package (1 lb.) The Little Potato Company, savory herb flavor
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 cups steamed lentils (see notes)
  • 12 ounces steamed haricot vert green beans
  • 1/4 cup niçoise olives (or other black/green olives)
  • 8 cups shredded romaine lettuce
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Instructions

  1. Remove the packaging from the potatoes and toss with 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon seasoning packet. Place in the microwave and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the microwave and set aside.
  2. Whisk together the shallots, dijon, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, olive oil and 1 teaspoon of the savory herb mixture from the potatoes. Set aside.
  3. Divide the steamed haricot vert beans, olives, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, lentils and potatoes among 4 bowls. Toss with shallot-herb dressing and serve.

Notes

To make this come together quickly, I use pre-steamed lentils. You can find these in the refrigerated produce section in the grocery store.

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Easy Lentil Nicoise Salad Recipe - Delish Knowledge (2024)

FAQs

Which of the following is a common garnish in a salad nicoise? ›

Combine potatoes, green beans, tuna, onion, parsley, olives, and parsley in a large bowl; refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours. Toss greens with vinaigrette in a salad bowl; top with chilled potato mixture. Garnish with eggs, tomatoes, anchovies, and capers.

Why is it called a Nicoise salad? ›

The name "Salade Niçoise" refers to Nice, the capital city of the Alpes-Maritimes department on the French Riviera. This region is known for its mild climate and abundance of sunflowers, olive trees, herbs, and vegetables used in many traditional dishes.

What are the traditional ingredients in Nicoise salad? ›

At first, Salade Niçoise was made only with tomatoes, anchovies, and olive oil." The Cercle de la Capelina d'Or's salade Niçoise includes tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, salted anchovies, tuna, spring onions, small black Nice olives, and basil.

What olives can I use instead of Niçoise? ›

If You Can't Find Niçoise Olives For Your Salad, Kalamata Are A Perfect Replacement. Originally a sandwich made with tomatoes, anchovies, and olive oil (the pan bagnat), the niçoise salad has evolved over the years to become a classic summertime salad.

Can I substitute kalamata olives for nicoise olives? ›

Brine-cured and typically preserved in red wine, red wine vinegar, or olive oil, they have a rich, tangy, and somewhat fruity flavor. A key ingredient of the Greek salad, kalamata olives also work well in a niçoise salad — in fact, many recipes will explicitly list kalamata olives as a substitute for niçoise olives.

What is Niçoise in English? ›

garnished or prepared with tomatoes, and often anchovies, black olives, capers, etc.: salade niçoise.

What is a common salad garnish? ›

Garnishes for Salads

Vegetables (fresh or cooked), fruits (fresh or dried), cheese, proteins (meat, poultry, and fish), croutons, nuts, and seeds are options. Sprouts, flowers, and micro shoots are also possibilities.

What are the most common garnishes? ›

Some of the more popular items that can be used as garnishes are described below.
  • Marzipan/rolled fondant. ...
  • Dough and Pastry. ...
  • Cheese. ...
  • Berries and fruit. ...
  • Candied nuts and brittles. ...
  • Rice noodles. ...
  • Cookies. ...
  • Sponges.

What is a common garnish? ›

Simple garnishes such as chopped herbs, decoratively cut lemons, parsley and watercress sprigs, browned breadcrumbs, sieved hard-cooked eggs, and broiled tomatoes are appropriate to a wide variety of foods; their purpose is to provide contrast in colour, texture, and taste, and to give a finished appearance to the dish ...

What is a basic salad garnish? ›

10 High-Impact Salad Garnishes
  1. Pan-fried farro.
  2. Frizzled onions.
  3. Chorizo crumbles.
  4. Crispy pork.
  5. Pickled grapes.
  6. Battered jalapeño slices.
  7. Crispy potato straws.
  8. Seasoned breadcrumbs.

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