Description
This Mediterranean Carrot Salad is a bright, nourishing dish that transforms carrots into something truly exciting. With tender lentils, warm spices, lemon, and a crunchy almond topping, this salad balances sweet, savory, and fresh elements in every bite. Perfect for a quick lunch, healthy snack, or vibrant side, it’s gluten-free, vegetarian, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re into easy dinner ideas, need healthy side dishes, or want food ideas for meal prep, this recipe ticks all the boxes.
Ingredients
1 lb carrots, peeled and chopped
1 cup cooked brown lentils
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup toasted almonds
Instructions
1. Peel and chop the carrots into bite-sized pieces of uniform size.
2. Cook the lentils in salted water until tender but not mushy, then drain and set aside.
3. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, cumin, and coriander. Sauté until fragrant.
4. Add the carrots and lentils to the pan. Stir to coat with the spice mixture and cook for a few minutes.
5. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice, chopped parsley, and toasted almonds.
6. Toss gently and serve warm, room temperature, or chilled.
Notes
This salad can be made up to 4 days in advance and stored in the fridge.
For extra depth, try roasting the carrots instead of sautéing them.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg