An easy vegan recipe for marinated lentil salad with sun-dried tomatoes is naturally gluten-free and a perfect side dish for lunch or dinner! You can use brown or green lentils made in the Instant Pot or stovetop!

My family and I are mostly plant-based, so we eat mostly plants and view meat as a side dish.
Not only does this save us money, but it also means we get PLENTY of fruits and vegetables in our diets!
However, it can sometimes be tricky to hit our daily grams of protein when eating plant-based recipes.
We love my Spicy Citrus Black Bean Recipe and my Black Bean and Corn Salsa, but what if we tire of black beans?
These lentil salads with sun-dried tomatoes are the perfect answer!
This dish combines delicious flavors like Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and sun-dried tomatoes with lentils to create a healthy lentil salad. Above all, this dish is a great way to incorporate more healthy eating into your diet and makes for an easy weeknight meal!
MY FAVORITE MARINATED LENTIL SALAD RECIPE
If I want a lentil recipe that’s worthy enough to stand alone next to delicious Oven-Roasted Chicken or Greek Quinoa Salad, then this is the recipe I pick every time. My favorite lentil salad is:
- Quick & Easy. Ready in under 15 minutes!
- Makes GREAT leftovers!
- It uses basic ingredients I always have in my pantry.
- Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
- The perfect addition to a salad or as the main protein for a vegetarian meal.
- Lentils have a ton of health benefits, like lowering blood pressure and glucose levels!

This amazing lentil salad is so good we don’t even miss meat on meatless nights!
INGREDIENTS FOR THE BEST GREEN LENTIL SALAD
The ingredient list might seem long, but it comes together quickly, and you probably already have everything in the kitchen!
- Lentils (I like a combination of green and black) – You can find lentils at almost any grocery store!
- Red wine vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Dijon mustard (or brown mustard or spicy mustard)
- Maple syrup
- Salt & Black Pepper
- Dried parsley
- Sun-dried tomatoes (in oil)
I really like the texture combination of green lentils and black lentils, but you can easily use all French green lentils or even brown lentils if you want.
Do not use red lentils for salad, though, since they basically disintegrate and get mushy when they’re cooked. (They’re PERFECT in my Red Lentil Soup Recipe!)
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST LENTILS FOR SALAD
It’s funny to think of this as a salad, even though it doesn’t have lettuce… but then again, my Vegetable Greek Salad and Quinoa Vegetable Salad don’t have any lettuce either!
The best lentil salad comes together in just 3 simple steps:
Step 1: To begin with, prepare your lentils as directed in a large pot, Instant Pot, or slow cooker (see below for cooking options).
Step 2: At this time, prepare the marinade in a small bowl by mixing vinegar, lemon juice, dijon mustard, maple syrup, dried parsley, sun-dried tomatoes, salt, and black.

Step 3: Once the lentils are done, drain them. Then mix with the marinade in a large bowl. Lastly, serve warm or let the flavors meld at room temperature for 20 minutes.
TIPS FOR MAKING MARINATED LENTIL SALAD
- Cook the lentils al dente so they retain their firm texture.
- Leftovers are good in the fridge for several days!
- Make sure you use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil. The residual oil is needed to add moisture to the lentil salad! If the salad seems dry, add a little extra virgin olive oil.
- Make a big batch for meal prep or to eat with other meals throughout the week!
- Add some sweet potatoes and other fresh veggies for an even heartier meal!
- Sprinkle some red pepper flakes or chili powder for an extra kick!
More Ways to Make A Mediterranean Lentil Salad Recipe
If you like the taste of more fresh ingredients in your lentil salad toss in any of the following:
- Finely diced red onion
- Diced red bell pepper
- Chopped fresh mint or fresh basil or other herbs
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Diced cucumber
- Halved cherry tomatoes
- Sliced or whole Kalamata olives
- Whisk together a simple lemon dressing with olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and minced garlic.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO COOK LENTILS?
There are 3 ways you can make this recipe:
- Stovetop Method – The classic stovetop method is a tried-and-true way to cook lentils. Simply rinse your lentils, place them in a pot with water or broth, let them boil, and then simmer gently until tender. This method allows you to control the cooking time and texture, whether you prefer al dente lentils for salads or soft and creamy lentils for soups and stews.
- Instant Pot Method – If you’re in a time crunch or looking for hands-off cooking, the Instant Pot is your friend. This pressure cooker cooks lentils to perfection in a fraction of the time. Just add your lentils and liquid, set the timer, and let the appliance work its wonders.
- Slow Cooker Method – Let the slow cooker work its magic as it slowly transforms lentils into melt-in-your-mouth goodness. In fact, this method is perfect for those who enjoy the hands-off approach to cooking. Simply combine your lentils with liquid and any desired seasonings in the crock pot then set it to low heat. Lastly, let the lentils simmer and develop their flavors over several hours.
FAQS ABOUT LENTIL SALAD
What goes well with lentils?
I REALLY like to serve this with my easy Yellow Rice, but it also pairs well with anything Mediterranean or Greek, like my 5-minute Greek Couscous or Greek Pasta Salad.
Can I add meat to this recipe?
Absolutely, you don’t want to only eat plant protein. Instead, adding some ground beef, turkey, or shredded chicken is a great idea!
Can lentils be eaten cold?
Yes! I prefer this recipe served warm or lukewarm, but once lentils are cooked, you can eat them cold.
Do I need to cook canned lentils?
Canned lentils are cooked. They need to be rinsed and drained three times, just like canned beans. You can use them in this recipe instead of freshly cooked lentils. If you want to serve this dish warm, heat up the lentils in a small pot before adding to the marinade.
OTHER EASY HEALTHY MEATLESS MEALS
- Skillet Pizza Veggie Pasta
- Vegetable Greek Salad
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas
- Squash Pasta Bake
- Roasted Vegetable Kale Salad
Marinated Lentil Salad
In conclusion, lentils are a great source of plant-based protein, which is why it’s one of my favorite lentil recipes! This plant-based meal has all the protein my family and I need without spending much on animal-based meats. Furthermore, with the spices’ comforting flavors and the lentils’ heartiness, this easy recipe will leave you feeling full and satisfied for hours. Even picky eaters will be begging you to make this delicious dish!

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An easy vegan recipe for marinated lentil salad with sun-dried tomatoes – a perfect side dish! Can use brown or green lentils made in the Instant pot or stove!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sides
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Lentils
- 1 cup uncooked green or brown lentils
- ½ cup uncooked black lentils
Marinade
- 3 ½ Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 3 Tbsp dried parsley
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained slightly (I use a slotted spoon)
Instructions
- Cook the lentils according to the directions on the package. Alternatively, you can follow my Instant Pot lentils recipe for green or brown lentils.
- Meanwhile, prepare the marinade. Chop the sun-dried tomatoes if they’re larger than ½”. Combine the tomatoes with the remaining marinade ingredients in a medium bowl and stir well.
- When the lentils are done, drain using a metal strainer and add the lentils to the marinade. Stir well and serve immediately, or as desired.
Notes
There are 3 ways to make this recipe:
- Stovetop Method – The classic stovetop method is a tried-and-true way to cook lentils. Simply rinse your lentils, place them in a pot with water or broth, let them boil, and then simmer gently until tender. This method allows you to control the cooking time and texture, whether you prefer al dente lentils for salads or soft and creamy lentils for soups and stews.
- Instant Pot Method – If you’re in a time crunch or looking for hands-off cooking, the Instant Pot is your friend. This pressure cooker cooks lentils to perfection in a fraction of the time. Just add your lentils and liquid, set the timer, and let the appliance work its wonders.
- Slow Cooker Method – Let the slow cooker work its magic as it slowly transforms lentils into melt-in-your-mouth goodness. In fact, this method is perfect for those who enjoy the hands-off approach to cooking. Simply combine your lentils with liquid and any desired seasonings in the crock pot then set it to low heat. Lastly, let the lentils simmer and develop their flavors over several hours.
Nutrition
- Calories: 282
I have never cared for lentils. They are tasteless, and the dishes that I made never seemed worth the time it took. Well, I’ve been trying again, experimenting…being sure to add plenty of seasonings. This recipe is YUMMY. VERY yummy. I am not a Star Lentil Cooker Person, so my lentils were a bit mushy and the dish was not pretty. But it was good! My dish was quite tangy and somewhat chewy, due to the tomato pieces.