Chilled French Lentil Salad with Dill and Cucumber

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-20 · Updated 2026-04-20

A refreshing spring salad where tender cooked lentils mingle with cool cucumber and bright dill in a lemony vinaigrette, perfect for picnics or light lunches. This French-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs French green lentils, Cucumber, Red onion into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups, cooked French green lentils
• 1/2, diced Cucumber
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped Red onion
• 1 tbsp, chopped Fresh dill
• 2 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
• 1/8 tsp Black pepper

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine 1.5 cups cooked French green lentils, 1/2 diced cucumber, and 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion in a medium bowl. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Whisk together 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until fully emulsified and smooth.
3. Step 3: Pour the dressing over the lentil mixture and toss gently until evenly coated, ensuring no ingredients are crushed.
4. Step 4: Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld, then sprinkle with 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill.