Red Lentil Salad Recipe with Ginger Honey Dressing
Red Lentil salad is a sweet and spicy Indian salad recipe with masoor dal or red lentils and fresh ginger honey dressing. This summer lentil salad is a perfect addition to your healthy meal plan for weight loss!
Place red lentils in a deep pot with water, turmeric and salt. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes (for firm) to 6 minutes (for soft lentils).
Mix all ingredients for the ginger honey dressing in a jar and shake well.
Slice/ chop/ shred the vegetables while the dal is cooking.
Once the red lentils are cooked, drain in a colander and place them in the salad bowl. Drizzle half of the honey ginger dressing on the lentils while they are still warm. Mix well.
Add the vegetables and the remaining dressing. Toss and serve. Or chill and serve cold. If making ahead, do not add lettuce, cucumber or tomato. Add these vegetables just before serving to avoid the salad becoming soggy.
Video
Notes
Lentil salad ideas and serving suggestions
Other types of lentils/dal may also be used but adjust the cook time.
Mung dal (split, skinned mung beans) take about 8 to 10 minutes to cook. (This is the simmering time AFTER you bring it to a boil)If you use chana dal/yellow lentils, you need to simmer them much longer. They take about 20 (if you want the lentils firm) to 25 minutes (soft). Green lentils take almost the same time.
1½ cups of any salad vegetables or fruits can be used for this lentil salad- onions, carrots, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, capsicum/ bell peppers, apples, cucumber, green mango, etc.
Ensure that you add some of the dressing while the lentils are still warm, so they absorb the flavors better.
YOU CAN ALSO SERVE THIS SALAD WARM: These red lentil salad can be served warm (without the vegetables) as snack/ appetizer using papads or rotis to scoop up. In this case, adjust the quantity of dressing accordingly.