Berbere-Spiced Lentil Salad with Citrus and Fresh Herbs

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-17 · Updated 2026-06-17

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A vibrant, protein-packed lentil salad with warm berbere seasoning, fresh herbs, and a bright citrus dressing for a refreshing side or light meal. This Ethiopian-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs green lentils, rinsed, water, berbere spice mix for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 210 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 cup green lentils, rinsed
3 cups water
1 tsp berbere spice mix
1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
3 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Place 1 cup rinsed green lentils and 3 cups water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes until lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain excess water.
Step 2: While lentils cook, whisk together 3 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp berbere spice mix, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a large bowl.
Step 3: Add the cooked lentils to the dressing and toss to coat.
Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint.
Step 5: Adjust seasoning as needed, chill for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld, and serve as a vibrant side or light lunch.