Greek Lentil Salad

Greek Lentil Salad! This healthy, vegetable packed salad is so delicious! Lentils, Quinoa, Veggies in a tangy lemon dressing. Vegan & Gluten-Free.

I’m here to prove that salads can be main meals, especially when they are as delicious as this one. Salty olives, juicy tomatoes, crunchy raw zucchini, and crisp red onion just for starters. Because when I make a salad into a meal, I want as many textures as possible.

I’m on a personal mission to make vegetarian eating not only sooooo freaking delicious but also affordable. Did you know that most people associate plant-based eating with higher grocery bills? Crazy but true. I was at a conference last week where they shared this stat, and I was blown away by how many people in the audience were nodding their heads in agreement.

Plants? Expensive? Well, okay, yeah. I can see how that could be perceived. However, I can attest to the fact that I have helped hundreds of clients not only change their diet for the better, but reduce their grocery bill to boot.

The key to healthier (and affordable) eating? Switch up your protein sources. You don’t have to be full-on vegetarian to make this change.  You can start to see benefits in swapping animal protein for plant protein just a few times a week. Considering the price of meat averages around $3/lb., plant-based proteins tend to run approximately 1/3 of the cost. I bought this bag of French Green Lentils (the filet mignon of lentils) for a little over a dollar a bag.

Per cooked serving, that equates to $0.13 per serving for lentils, $0.75 for the meat. Multiply that by a few meals a week and you can see how swapping in plant-based proteins for meat can have a significant impact on the grocery budget.

Health benefits rock too! One serving of lentils contains 15g fiber, 13g protein, 3.2mg iron, and only 1g of fat.

Ok, money aside- this salad is so flavorful. I love summer salads that get better the longer they marinate, and this salad is no exception. I can see making this salad in the morning before friends arrive and enjoying a casual BBQ hours later.

Greek Salad was one of my favorite dishes growing up, and I love that I’ve recreated a healthier version here. I kept it dairy-free but if you want a little more tang, feel free to throw in some feta cubes. Go ahead and make extra of the dressing, it’s so versatile and tastes great anywhere you would use a vinaigrette.

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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