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    Home » Salads

    Lentil Carrot Salad

    Published: Apr 14, 2023 · by Nico

    Jump to Recipe

    Lentil carrot salad is tasty, aromatic, and inspired by Mediterranean flavors and aromas. It's easy to make, and you can serve it as a starter, side, or main dish with warm pita bread and other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean recipes.

    Lentils and carrots are seasoned with a delicious cumin, lemon, and olive oil dressing. As a result, they become tasty and aromatic, and they'll make you fall in love with this simple dish.

    On this page:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • Make ahead & storage
    • More carrot recipes
    • More lentil recipes
    • Recipe

    Check out our Best Salad Recipes

    Ingredients

    lentil carrot salad ingredients

    Carrots: we use orange carrots, but you can also use carrots of different colors.

    Lentils: use green or brown lentils. Canned ones are perfectly fine. Or you can cook dry lentils in salted boiling water until al dente. Substitute chickpeas for lentils.

    Parsley: we recommend flat-leaf parsley for this lentil carrot salad. Substitute fresh mint or cilantro for parsley.

    Raisins: you can use regular or golden raisins. They add a nice sweet touch that complements the carrot flavor and contrasts the tangy and garlicky flavor of the dressing.

    Dressing

    Olive oil: we recommend extra-virgin olive oil.

    Mustard: you can use Dijon mustard or standard yellow mustard. The mustard is essential because it binds the other ingredients together and makes them stick to the carrots. Also, it adds a slightly bitter flavor that's delicious with the sweetness of the carrots.

    Lemon juice: best if freshly squeezed.

    Garlic: use fresh garlic; grated, or minced. Substitute garlic powder for fresh garlic, although it won't have the same fresh and zesty flavor.

    Paprika and cumin: regular paprika and ground cumin. Cumin is especially important in this dressing. Its flavor perfectly matches lentils and carrots, so don't skip it.

    Salt and pepper: sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

    Red pepper flakes: to add a touch of spiciness, they are optional.

    Garnish and Toppings

    Shaved almonds: garnish the salad with shaved toasted almonds. Substitute almonds for pine nuts, pistachios, or crushed and toasted hazelnuts.

    Yogurt tahini sauce or tahini sauce: they are optional, and the salad is delicious without them.

    However, you can complement this dish with a dollop of our terrific yogurt tahini sauce (greek or non-dairy yogurt, tahini, garlic, salt, min, and cumin) or with a drizzle of creamy tahini sauce (tahini, water, lemon juice, salt, garlic).

    Lentil carrot salad variation

    Instructions

    Peel and chop the carrot into small bite-size pieces. Boil them in lightly salted water for 20 minutes or until fork tender.

    carrots in a sift after boiling

    In the meantime, make the dressing by whisking together extra virgin olive oil, mustard, lemon juice, grated garlic, ground cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

    cumin dressing for lentil carrot salad

    To a large mixing bowl, add boiled carrots while they are still warm, drained lentils, raisins, finely chopped parsley, and the dressing.

    lentils, parsley, carrot and dressing

    Toss to combine. Taste and adjust for salt.

    Lentil carrot salad in a bowl

    Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with your favorite toasted nuts. We love shaved almonds lightly toasted on a pan for a few minutes.

    Lentil carrot salad on a white plate

    Variations

    Moroccan carrot salad

    moroccan carrot salad on a platter

    Our lentil carrot salad is inspired by this simple and delicious Moroccan carrot salad, an aromatic recipe with tender boiled carrots, fragrant ground cumin, minced garlic, fresh parsley, and a few other simple ingredients.

    Check out our Moroccan carrot salad recipe.

    Cauliflower lentil salad

    lentil and cauliflower salad

    We loved lentil carrot salad so much that we started making it with different vegetables. For example, this cauliflower lentil salad is another easy and delicious Mediterranean-inspired recipe packed with bold flavors and wholesome ingredients.

    We make it with roasted cauliflower, lentils, parsley, and an aromatic cumin and lemon dressing.

    Check out our cauliflower lentil salad recipe.

    Lentil sweet potato salad

    lentils and sweet potato salad

    Or why not try lentils with sweet potato? This salad is nutritious, tasty, and aromatic, thanks to the same simple cumin and paprika dressing inspired by Moroccan cuisine.

    This salad is the perfect make-ahead meal, and you can enjoy it as a quick and fulfilling lunch or wholesome dinner, bring it to potlucks, or serve it for brunch.

    Check out our lentil sweet potato salad.

    Serving suggestions

    My best recommendation is to serve this salad with a few dollops of our delicious tahini yogurt sauce or with a generous drizzle of tahini sauce.

    The tahini's nutty flavor and creamy texture are just perfect with this lentil carrot salad.

    You can also serve it on top of couscous (which takes 5 minutes to make) to turn it into a delicious main dish.

    Lentil carrot salad variation with dressing

    The salad is excellent as an appetizer (mezze) or as a main dish with other Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern-inspired dishes:

    • Falafel (chickpea flour, dried chickpeas, cumin, parsley, garlic, etc.)
    • Hummus (chickpeas, cumin, garlic, lemon juice, tahini, etc.)
    • Muhammara (pomegranate seeds, bell pepper, tomatoes, onion, tomato paste, etc.)
    • Baba ganoush (eggplant, tahini, paprika, parsley, lemon, tahini, garlic, etc.)
    • Zaalouk (garlic, eggplant, tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, cumin, paprika, etc.)
    • Shirazi salad (cucumber, tomatoes, dried mint, lime juice, olive oil, etc.)
    • Tabbouleh (falt-leaf parsley, tomatoes, bulgur, mint, scallions, olive oil, etc.)
    • Falafel opened on a plate
      Falafel
    • tahini sauce on falafel and hummus
      Tahini Sauce
    • baba ganoush eggplant dip
      Eggplant Dip - Baba Ganoush
    • Muhammara in a bowl
      Muhammara

    Make ahead & storage

    Make ahead: this recipe is excellent to make ahead as it keeps well in the fridge for a few days, and the flavor melds as the salad sits with the dressing.

    Refrigerator: store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 - 4 days.

    Reheat: take out of the fridge 15 minutes before eating. Warm it up for 30 seconds to 1 minute in the microwave.

    Freezer: this recipe is not suitable for freezing.

    More carrot recipes

    Here are some more ideas for cooking with carrots:

    • Vegan carrot cake (flour, sugar, plant milk, raisins, walnuts, nutmeg, cinnamon, carrots, etc.)
    • Roasted carrots (carrots, parsley, olive oil, salt, pepper, etc.)
    • Carrot soup (ginger, carrots, onion, garlic, cumin, vegetable broth, etc.)
    • Carrot salad (carrot, lemon, parsley, mustard, maple syrup, shallot, etc.)
    • Raisin and carrot salad (mayonnaise, carrot, raisins, parsley, etc.)
    • vegan carrot cake
      Vegan Carrot Cake
    • Carrot soup with croutons
      Carrot Soup
    • easy roasted carrots
      Roasted Carrots
    • carrot salad
      Carrot Salad

    More lentil recipes

    Check out these easy and wholesome dinner recipes with lentils:

    • Moroccan sweet potato salad (roasted sweet potatoes, maple syrup, lentils, cumin, etc.)
    • Cauliflower lentil salad (roasted cauliflower, lentils, hazelnuts, mustard, parsley, etc.)
    • Lentil tabbouleh (tomato, parsley, white onion, lemon juice, lentils, olive oil, etc.)
    • 5-minute lentil hummus (lentils, tahini, lemon juice, cumin, parsley, paprika, etc.)
    • Mushroom Wellington (leek, onion, carrot, garlic, lentils, mushrooms, puff pastry, etc.)
    • lentil hummus with spoon
      Lentil hummus
    • lentil tabbouleh
      Lentil Tabbouleh
    • cauliflower lentil salad
      Cauliflower Lentil Salad
    • lentils and sweet potato salad
      Lentil Sweet Potato Salad

    For many more salad ideas, check out our salads category page.

    Recipe

    Lentil carrot salad with shaved almonds

    Lentil Carrot Salad

    Author: Nico
    Lentil carrot salad is a tasty and aromatic dish inspired by Mediterranean flavors and aromas. It's easy to make, and you can serve it as a starter, side, or main dish with warm pita bread and other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes.
    Lentils and carrots are seasoned with a delicious cumin, lemon, and olive oil dressing. As a result, they become tasty and aromatic, and they'll make you fall in love with this simple dish.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 2 votes
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Main, Side dish
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 176 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1½ pounds carrots cut into bite-size pieces
    • 1 can (15 ounces) lentils or 1½ cups cooked lentils
    • 2 tablespoons raisins
    • ¼ cup parsley chopped
    • 3 tablespoons shaved almonds lightly toasted on a pan

    Dressing

    • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon mustard
    • 1 small clove garlic grated
    • ½ teaspoon cumin
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon salt or more to taste
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper or red pepper flakes
    Keep screen on

    Instructions
     

    • Peel and chop 1½ pounds carrots into small bite-size pieces. Boil them in lightly salted water for 20 minutes or until fork tender.
      carrots in a sift after boiling
    • In the meantime, make the dressing by whisking together ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon mustard, 1 small clove garlic (grated), ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
      cumin dressing for lentil carrot salad
    • To a large mixing bowl, add boiled carrots while they are still warm, 1 can (15 ounces) lentils (rinsed and drained), 2 tablespoons raisins, ¼ cup parsley (chopped) and the dressing.
      lentils, parsley, carrot and dressing
    • Toss to combine. Taste and adjust for salt.
      Lentil carrot salad in a bowl
    • Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with 3 tablespoons shaved almonds lightly toasted on a pan.
      Lentil carrot salad on a white plate
    • Our recommendation is to serve this salad with a few dollops of our delicious tahini yogurt sauce or with a generous drizzle of tahini sauce.
      Lentil carrot salad variation

    Video Recipe

    Lentil Carrot Salad (meal-prep-friendly)

    Notes

    Nutrition information is for one serving of lentil carrot salad out of six servings.
    SUBSTITUTIONS
    Carrots: sub roasted cauliflower florets or roasted sweet potatoes.
    Lentils: sub chickpeas.
    Parsley: sub fresh cilantro or mint.
    Raisins: sub chopped dried apricots, dates, or dried figs.
    MAKE AHEAD & STORAGE
    Make ahead: this recipe is excellent to make ahead as it keeps well in the fridge for a few days, and the flavor melds as the salad sits in the dressing.
    Refrigerator: store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 - 4 days.
    Reheat: take out of the fridge 15 minutes before eating. Warm it up for 30 seconds to 1 minute in the microwave.
    Freezer: this recipe is not suitable for freezing.

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    Lentil Carrot Salad
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    176
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    12
    g
    18
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    8
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    0
    mg
    0
    %
    Potassium
     
    475
    mg
    14
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    17
    g
    6
    %
    Dietary Fiber
     
    5
    g
    21
    %
    Sugar
     
    6
    g
    7
    %
    Protein
     
    3
    g
    6
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    19242
    IU
    385
    %
    Vitamin B6
     
    0.2
    mg
    10
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    12
    mg
    15
    %
    Vitamin E
     
    3
    mg
    20
    %
    Vitamin K
     
    62
    µg
    59
    %
    Calcium
     
    61
    mg
    6
    %
    Folate
     
    30
    µg
    8
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    Manganese
     
    0.3
    mg
    15
    %
    Magnesium
     
    33
    mg
    8
    %
    Zinc
     
    1
    mg
    7
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?Leave us a comment below or find us on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

    If you liked this lentil carrot salad, you might also enjoy:

    • meatless meals with dinner and lunch
      40 Easy Meatless Meals
    • Vegetarian lunches
      35 Best Vegetarian Lunch Ideas
    • Easy dinners pasta and stuffed veggies
      40 easy dinners
    • Easy carrot recipes with appetizers, mains and desserts
      10 Easy Carrot Recipes
    « Vegan Summer Recipes
    Moroccan Carrot Salad »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Luis

      May 03, 2023 at 10:59 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe! We truly truly enjoyed it.

      Reply
      • Louise

        May 04, 2023 at 5:15 am

        I'm very happy to hear, Luis.
        Thanks for your comment - have a great day!
        Louise

        Reply
    2. Luis

      May 03, 2023 at 10:59 pm

      Awesomeness 👏

      Reply

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    Nico and Louise founders of the Plant-Based School.

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