Warm lentil salad with cauliflower is a delicious lightly spiced salad with warming, Mediterranean inspired flavors. The caramelized onions add buttery depths of flavor while the roasted cauliflower adds a slightly smokiness. It all gets tossed together in a zesty lemon dressing lightly flavored with cumin.
Lentils are full of fiber and plant-based protein, making them optimal to add to a healthy vegetarian lunch! Legumes are also naturally gluten-free and contain essential amino acids.
This delicious warm vegan salad will elevate any meal. While it is more labor-intensive than other quick recipes, it is well worth the effort! Lentil cauliflower salad pairs especially well with dishes such as falafel, eggplant sandwiches, and caramelized onion hummus.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe:
- This tasty lentil salad is the best! It has layers of flavor and is perfect to make for lunch or meal prep.
- Serve it as a side dish or transform it into a main dish by serving it with falafel, hummus, chopped cucumbers and pita bread!
- Lentil cauliflower salad is naturally vegan, gluten-free and nut free!
Ingredient Notes:
- Onions - I like to use yellow onions but you can also use red onions.
- Lentils - I typically use brown lentils or green lentils since they are a bit firmer than red or yellow lentils.
- Cauliflower - you will need one large head of cauliflower cut into small florets.
- Lemon - this recipe calls for the zest of one lemon and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Olive Oil - I like to use extra virgin olive oil for maximum flavor.
- Spices - smoked paprika and garlic powder elevate the roasted cauliflower while a pinch of cumin brings the lemony vinaigrette together!
- Parsley - freshly chopped parsley gets mixed into the vinaigrette and also garnished on top of the salad for a nice contract of color.
Substitutions and Variations
- Lentils - I recommend using either brown, black or Puy lentils (also known as French green lentils). While you can use other lentil varieties, note that they may be a bit mushier in texture. You can opt to use canned lentils in place of home cooked lentils.
- Onions - use any variety of onions or add some shallots to caramelize! If you are short on time you can make this without caramelizing the onions but the flavors will not be quite as rich.
- With goat cheese - add in goat cheese or feta cheese crumbles if desired (although it will no longer be vegan unless you use vegan cheese).
- Dressing - add a clove or two of minced garlic to the dressing, or try using nutritional yeast dressing instead.
Step by Step Instructions
Caramelize the onions. Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium low heat. Add in the sliced onions and stir every few minutes so they do not burn. If they take on color too quickly, turn the heat down lower.
After about 30-40 minutes they should appear brown in color and have significantly shrunk in size. The onions should be soft and buttery in texture rather than crispy.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Add the cauliflower to a large mixing bowl with olive oil, salt and smoked paprika. Mix well.
Roast the cauliflower for 30 minutes at 425 degrees. I recommend using parchment paper for an easy clean up!
Cook the lentils according to package directions. I usually just cook them in water and a pinch of salt, but feel free to cook in veggie broth or add aromatics such as a bay leaf and garlic cloves.
Mix the dressing. Add the juice of two lemons, remaining olive oil, cumin, salt and chopped parsley to a bowl. Whisk together.
Add the caramelized onions, roasted cauliflower, cooked lentils and lemon dressing in a large bowl.
Gently mix the salad together, being careful not to mush the lentils. Garnish with more parsley, serve and enjoy!
Hint: Cut the cauliflower into smaller, bite sized pieces. This allows it to mix into the salad better so you can get the perfect bite!
Tips and Tricks
Go the extra mile and really get those onions brown and caramelized. The trick is to cook them over low-medium heat for about 40 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent them from burning. You want them to be brown in color but remain soft and buttery in texture. Prepare the rest of the lentil salad while the onions caramelize.
What to Serve With Lentil Salad:
- Add falafel, homemade hummus, diced cucumbers and tomatoes to a bowl with lentil salad to serve it as a main dish.
- Serve it over a bed of arugula and add a scoop of hummus.
- Enjoy it with pita bread and a side of cabbage carrot salad.
- Have it alongside a balsamic eggplant sandwich!
How to Store Vegan Lentil Salad
Store lentil salad with cauliflower in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For meal prep I recommend storing portions in separate containers or in jars! That way it is easy to grab and go when you need lunch.
Warm lentil salad should be served either warm or at room temperature. I do not recommend eating this cold simply because I think the flavors are better when it is warmed. I also do not recommend serving it piping hot. To reheat simply put it in the microwave until just warmed through, or heat it on the stove-top for a few minutes.
I do not recommend freezing this salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, typically French green lentils (also known as Puy lentils) are used in salad since they tend to stay firm when cooked. You can use them instead of brown lentils if you wish.
Yes, simply drain and rinse 2 (15) ounce cans of brown, black or green lentils.
Yes you can make the entire salad ahead of time or just the separate components. You can also make the caramelized onions, cauliflower or lentils ahead of time and store them in airtight containers until ready to use. I would recommend making the caramelized onions ahead of time since they take the longest! If you make the whole lentil salad a few days in advance I recommend serving it with a fresh squeeze of lemon to brighten up the flavors.
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PrintWarm Lentil Salad with Cauliflower
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roast
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Warm lentil salad with cauliflower is a delicious lightly spiced salad with warming, Mediterranean inspired flavors. The caramelized onions add buttery depths of flavor while the roasted cauliflower adds a slightly smokiness. It all gets tossed together in a zesty lemon dressing lightly flavored with cumin.
Ingredients
- 3 yellow onions, sliced
- 1 cup brown lentils
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt (plus more to taste)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
For the Dressing:
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 lemons, juiced
- ¼ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp salt
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees to prepare for roasting the cauliflower.
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a frying pan over medium-low heat. When the pan is hot, add in the sliced onions and stir every few minutes so they do not burn. Sauté the onions for 30-40 minutes until they are caramelized. They should turn brown in color and look soft and buttery in texture. Set aside.
- Add the cauliflower, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika and ¼ teaspoon of salt to a mixing bowl. Mix well.
- Roast the cauliflower in the oven at 425 degrees for 30 minutes.
- Cook the lentils according to the package directions.
- Mix the dressing together. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, cumin, ¼ teaspoon of salt, black pepper and parsley to a small bowl. Whisk until combined.
- Add the caramelized onions, roasted cauliflower, cooked lentils and dressing to a large mixing bowl.
- Gently mix together until the ingredients are evenly distributed. Garnish with fresh parsley and a lemon wedge.
Notes
Caramelizing the onions is the key to the sweet, buttery flavors of this dish. Make sure to let them cook over medium-low heat until they reach a deep golden brown color.
Make sure to prepare the rest of the ingredients while the onions caramelize since that is what takes the most time.
Cut the cauliflower into small, bite-sized pieces so it mixes in more evenly with the rest of the salad ingredients.
Feel free to use canned lentils in place. 2 (15) ounce cans should work.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
Bella
I recently ate a dish like this while in Marrakech and have been looking for a great way to make it ever since. The flavours are amazing and it's naturally vegan! Can't wait to make this!
Emily Toshiko
Thank you so much Bella! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Kyle
Been vegan for almost 2 years and have always struggled with onions. They rock... but the texture is weird. This is a dish that has started to turn me into an onions lover!
Emily Toshiko
Caramelized onions are a game changer!