Ethiopian-Inspired Lentil Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-09 · Updated 2026-08-09

A refreshing lentil salad tossed with fresh vegetables and a zesty lemon-tahini dressing, bringing Ethiopian flavors to a light and healthy dish. This Ethiopian-inspired salad recipe (vegan), ready in about 40 minutes, pairs brown lentils, water, cucumber 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 320 calories and feeds 4, 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 cup, rinsed brown lentils
• 3 cups water
• 1 medium, diced cucumber
• 2 medium, diced tomatoes
• 1/2 small, finely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 3 tbsp tahini
• 3 tbsp, fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove, minced garlic clove
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp, optional for garnish berbere spice mix

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup rinsed brown lentils and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes until lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain and let cool.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooled lentils with 1 diced medium cucumber, 2 diced medium tomatoes, 1/2 finely chopped small red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp tahini, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth and creamy.
4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the lentil mixture and toss gently to combine.
5. Step 5: If desired, sprinkle 1 tsp berbere spice mix on top as a garnish before serving chilled or at room temperature.