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Vegetarian, South and mountains

Puy lentil patties with salad

Puy lentil patties with salad are a vegetarian dish for 4 people, ready in 45 minutes, easy to make, at €1.90 per serving. The key to success is mashing only half the lentils to keep some texture, and letting the patties chill before frying so they hold together in the pan.

Golden Puy lentil patties, a hearty vegetarian dinner that wins over even the skeptics.

Puy lentil patties with salad
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.90
Calories per person
560 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter
The kids
They generally like it

Puy lentils have that nutty flavor and firm bite that makes all the difference in a patty. Here they're half mashed, half whole, giving a texture that holds together without turning to mush. Carrot adds softness, cumin warms things up, and breadcrumbs bind everything without weighing it down.

This is a weeknight dinner that feels satisfying without any fuss, the kind you make on a cool autumn evening when you want something warm and comforting without meat. Kids take to it easily thanks to the familiar patty shape that's simple to eat with hands, and the side salad brings just the right amount of freshness.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Puy green lentilsoften in the pantry 250 g
  • Breadcrumbsoften in the pantry 60 g
  • Cuminoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Vinaigrette 4 tbsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Carrots 2
  • Onion 1
  • Parsley 5 sprigs
  • Lettuce 1

Dairy

  • Egg 1

Allergens Gluten, Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the lentils in unsalted water, then drain them. 25 min

    Salt only at the end of cooking, salt toughens the lentil skins.

  2. Grate the carrots, slice the onion thin, and sauté them for a few minutes in a little oil. 5 min

    A well softened carrot blends more easily into the mixture.

  3. Roughly mash half the lentils and mix with the rest, the vegetables, the egg, the breadcrumbs, the parsley, and the cumin.

    Keep some lentils whole for texture, the mashed half acts as the binder.

  4. Shape into patties and brown them in olive oil on each side. 10 min

    Flip them only once using a wide spatula.

  5. Serve with the salad dressed in vinaigrette.

    A mustardy vinaigrette nicely balances the sweetness of the lentils.

Our tips to get it right

  • Drain the lentils thoroughly after cooking, excess moisture keeps the patties from holding together while frying.
  • Shape the patties thin and even, they'll brown more evenly and cook through faster.
  • Heat the pan well before adding the oil, this keeps the patties from sticking when you flip them.

The variations

  • Swap the breadcrumbs for gluten free breadcrumbs if needed, the mixture binds just as well.
  • For a faster version, use canned cooked Puy lentils and skip the cooking step entirely.
  • For kids, shape the mixture into smaller meatball sized patties, they're easy to eat with fingers.

What to serve it with

  • A yogurt and mint dip
  • Toasted country bread
  • A glass of fresh vegetable juice

Storage

Cooked patties keep for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. They freeze well once cooked and cooled, reheat them in a skillet or oven afterward so they turn crisp again.

Questions about this dish

Can you use regular green lentils instead of Puy lentils?

Yes, but the texture will be softer and less firm, Puy lentils hold their shape better when cooked. The flavor will also be a bit less nutty.

How do you keep the patties from falling apart while cooking?

Let the mixture rest in the fridge for half an hour before shaping, as the tip suggests. Also drain the lentils well so the mixture isn't too wet.

Can you make the patty mixture ahead of time?

Yes, you can mix it the day before and keep it in the fridge in a sealed container. Shape and cook the patties just before serving so they stay nicely golden.

What can replace the egg for an egg free version?

Try a tablespoon of mashed chickpeas or cornstarch mixed with a little water instead of the egg. The binding will be a bit softer, so shape the patties carefully.

How long does it take to make Puy lentil patties with salad?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in Puy lentil patties with salad?

About 560 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does Puy lentil patties with salad cost?

About €1.90 per serving, or €7.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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