Creamy Avocado Dill Lentil Salad Bowl (Printable)
Protein-packed lentils meet creamy avocado and fresh herbs in a tangy dill dressing
# What You’ll Need:
→ Lentils
01 - 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
02 - 3 cups water
03 - 1 bay leaf
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
→ Salad Base
05 - 1 large ripe avocado, diced
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
08 - ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
09 - ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
10 - ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped
11 - ¼ cup fresh chives, chopped
12 - 2 cups mixed salad greens
→ Creamy Dill Dressing
13 - ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
15 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
16 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
17 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
19 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine lentils, water, bay leaf, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes until lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain well, discard bay leaf, and let cool slightly.
02 - Whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until creamy and smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
03 - Combine cooled lentils, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, dill, and chives in a large bowl. Gently fold in diced avocado.
04 - Drizzle the creamy dill dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat evenly. Serve over a bed of mixed salad greens. Garnish with extra herbs if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The creamy dressing clings to every lentil making each bite impossibly satisfying
- You can prep everything ahead and assemble in under five minutes
02 -
- Let the lentils cool completely before mixing with the avocado or it will turn brown
- The dressing tastes even better after sitting for an hour in the refrigerator
03 -
- Toast the cooled lentils in a dry pan for two minutes before adding to the salad for a nuttier flavor
- Double the dressing because you will want to put it on everything else you make