Lentil-Leek Salad with Lime-Dates Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-13 · Updated 2026-04-13

A protein-rich salad featuring caramelized leeks, earthy lentils, and a tangy sweet dressing made with pitted dates and fresh lime, ideal for a light lunch or side dish. This Mediterranean-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs cooked green lentils, leeks, pitted dates for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups (canned, rinsed and drained) cooked green lentils
• 3 medium (white and light green parts only) leeks
• 2 tbsp (chopped) pitted dates
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove (minced) garlic
• 2 tbsp (chopped) fresh cilantro
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Pans + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Trim root ends and dark green leaves from 3 medium leeks, slice white and light green parts into 1/2-inch pieces, rinse thoroughly, and cook in a medium skillet over medium heat with 1 tbsp olive oil for 8-10 minutes until softened and golden.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp pitted dates, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 minced garlic clove, and 3 tbsp olive oil until dates dissolve and mixture is smooth.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine 1.5 cups cooked green lentils, cooked leeks, 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper; pour lime-date dressing over and toss to coat evenly.
4. Step 4: Let sit for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.