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Fish, Busy evenings

Warm lentil salad with smoked salmon

Warm lentil salad with smoked salmon is a one bowl meal for 4 people, ready in 30 minutes, very easy to make, for about €3.30 per person. The warm lentils are tossed in a yogurt, mustard, and dill vinaigrette, then topped with cold smoked salmon slices. The contrast between the warm lentils and the cold salmon is what makes this salad work.

A hearty salad that eats like a meal, with warm lentils, smoked salmon, and a dill vinaigrette.

Warm lentil salad with smoked salmon
Total time
30 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€3.30
Calories per person
470 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter, Spring

Green lentils hold their shape and soak up the yogurt dressing without turning mushy. Dill adds a fresh note that pairs naturally with smoked salmon, and shallots marinated in lemon juice bring a mellow bite. The result is a salad with real substance, not too heavy and not too light, where the soft lentils meet the silky salmon.

This is the kind of dish to make on a weeknight when you want something fast that still tastes good, or for a relaxed Sunday lunch served warm. It works well for adults and anyone who likes fish, though it's less suited to kids because of the smoky flavor and dill. Mon Chou likes this recipe because it's filling without asking for much effort or attention at the stove.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Green lentilsoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Mustardoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fish counter

  • Smoked salmon 8 slices

Fruits and vegetables

  • Shallots 2
  • Dill 1 sprigs
  • Lemon 1

Dairy

  • Plain yogurt 1

Allergens Fish, Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Rinse the lentils and cook them in unsalted water with a whole onion studded with cloves, then drain. 25 min

    Salt only at the end of cooking, salting at the start toughens the skins.

  2. Thinly slice the shallots and let them marinate in the lemon juice.

    The lemon mellows the raw shallot, taking away its sharpness.

  3. Mix the yogurt, mustard, oil, chopped dill, salt, and pepper.

    Add a little of the lentil cooking water if the dressing is too thick.

  4. Toss the warm lentils with the shallots and the dressing.

    Taste and adjust, lentils soak up a lot of seasoning.

  5. Plate the lentils and top with rolled slices of smoked salmon.

    Keep the salmon cold and add it at the last moment for contrast with the warm lentils.

Our tips to get it right

  • Cook the lentils just until tender without letting them burst, they should hold their shape to keep the salad from turning mushy, check at the 20 minute mark.
  • Mix the dressing while the lentils cook, it tastes better after sitting a few minutes with the dill.
  • If you're serving the salad later, keep the salmon separate and add it at the last minute so it stays cold and firm.

The variations

  • Swap the smoked salmon for smoked trout, it has a milder flavor for anyone who finds salmon too strong.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the salmon with cubed feta or hard boiled eggs, the salad stays just as satisfying.
  • To save time, use precooked green lentils from a can or pouch, rinsed and drained, you'll cut 25 minutes off the recipe.

What to serve it with

  • Toasted country bread
  • A crisp green side salad
  • Chilled lemon water

Storage

The lentil salad keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, ideally without the salmon added last. It doesn't freeze well since the yogurt dressing separates once thawed. Serve it cold or at room temperature, it doesn't need reheating.

Questions about this dish

Can you make this lentil salad ahead of time?

Yes, cook the lentils and mix the dressing the day before and keep them in the fridge. Add the smoked salmon only right before serving so it stays cold and firm.

Which lentils work best for this salad?

French green lentils or standard green lentils are ideal, they hold their shape well once cooked. Avoid red lentils, they turn soft and would make the salad mushy.

Can you use cream instead of yogurt in the dressing?

Yes, thick crème fraîche works well and makes a richer dressing. Yogurt keeps things lighter but both options work fine.

How do you make this milder for kids?

Choose a mild, less salty smoked salmon and cut the dill in the dressing by half. You can also serve the lentils and salmon separately instead of mixed together.

How long does it take to make a warm lentil salad with smoked salmon?

Count 30 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a warm lentil salad with smoked salmon?

About 470 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 a warm lentil salad with smoked salmon cost?

About €3.30 per serving, or €13.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains fish, lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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