This hearty Mediterranean lentil salad recipe comes together in about 10 minutes and is made with some pantry staples, like canned lentils and canned tuna. Plus, there are a few extra special ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, feta and bell pepper. It’s all tossed with a simple olive oil and lemon mixture for one delicious bite!
Hi friends!
Today I’m bringing you this easy, super tasty, lentil salad recipe. Who knew that a recipe using canned lentils and canned tuna could be so freakin’ tasty?!
This lentil salad came to me one day while trying to rack my brain on what to make hubby and me for lunch.
It’s always nice to mix things up a bit from the regular routine so this is how this lentil salad was born.
I grabbed a couple of pantry staples, fancied it up a bit with some special ingredients and a tasty, easy salad was born! Now it’s on regular rotation in our home.
Why We Love this Mediterranean Lentil Salad
- Comes together in about 10 minutes
- Uses a bunch of pantry ingredients you probably have on hand
- Relatively budget friendly, while being ‘special’ at the same time.
- Cooking for a crowd? It can be easily doubled or tripled.
- Lunch, side to dinner, potluck or backyard BBQ, this lentil salad recipe works wonderfully in any situation.
- Of course, it tastes delicious!
Ingredients Needed
- Canned lentils (of course)
- Canned tuna
- Bell pepper (or you could used roasted red pepper). I like the fresh pepper for crunch!
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Olives (pitted)
- Capers
- Chili
- Onion
- Feta
- Lemon juice
- Parsley
- Good quality olive oil
Can I Make Ahead of Time?
Totally! This recipe can be made a day ahead, properly stored in the fridge, and still taste delicious the next day.
Enjoy within 3 days.
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More Tips and Variations
Using canned lentils makes this Mediterranean salad recipe come together in about 10 minutes. Don’t have or don’t want to use canned lentils? You can easily cook up some dried brown lentils, rinse, drain, cool and then proceed with the recipe.
I used two red Thai chilies in this recipe, but you can use more or less depending on your love of spice (though, I didn’t find this salad too spicy). Don’t have fresh chili? Try a pinch or two of cayenne pepper powder.
Red bell pepper was used because I love the colour that it adds. Don’t have red bell pepper? Use whatever colour you have on hand.
Speaking of bell pepper, I have also made this recipe with roasted peppers (which is awesome). However, I prefer fresh bell pepper for the crunch it adds to the salad.
I do not add any salt to this salad. For me, the briny capers, feta and olives are salty enough.
Want to make this lentil salad vegetarian? Omit the tuna. It will still taste lovely!
If you do omit the tuna, this lentil salad is delicious as a side for chicken too.
This salad yields enough for 4 hearty side servings. The recipe can easily be doubled for a crowd.
I used sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil. I think they work best in this lentil salad.
Want this lentil salad dairy free? Omit the feta and it will still taste delish!
More Yummy Lentil Recipes
So,tell me, what kind of canned lentil recipes do you like?
Hope you love this easy lentil salad recipe as much as we do!
If you make this lentil salad recipe, be sure to leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed!
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Mediterranean Lentil Salad with Tuna
Ingredients
- 19 ounce can of lentils , rinsed and drained (about 2 cups)
- 6 ounces canned tuna , drained (I used tuna packed in water, about a 170 gram can)
- ⅓ cup black olives , pitted and roughly chopped (about 15 olives, like Kalamata olives)
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomato , removed from oil and roughly chopped (about 5 to 6 sun-dried tomatoes)
- 1 red bell pepper , diced
- 3 tablespoons feta cheese , crumbled
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley , roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 2 Thai chili peppers , minced (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon shallot , peeled and minced (or 2 stalks of chopped green onion)
- 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon , juiced (about 3 to 4 tablespoons)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients down to capers chili peppers.
- In a jar, mix shallot with olive oil and lemon. Pour over bowl of ingredients. Stir to combine. Enjoy!
Nutrition (ESTIMATE ONLY)
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
Karen (Back Road Journal)
This is a healthy salad packed with lots of flavor.
Girl Heart Food
It sure is! Thanks Karen 🙂
Anne|Craving Something Healthy
I love every single thing about this salad and can’t wait to make it! It’s too hot to cook in Phoenix all summer, so this is right up my alley!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much, Anne!! Hope you get a chance to try this one out – we love it 🙂
Kevin O'Leary
I love the Mediterranean flavors in this! Perfect for summer.
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Kevin! It sure is 😉
Ben|Havocinthekitchen
What a beautiful salad packed with protein! You managed to include some of my favorite ingredients. Tuna, lentils, sun-dried tomatoes, feta. Oh boy I guess that would be easier to count the ingredients I don’t like…wait there’s no such ingredients. Okay, I can live without hot peppers. But the bottom line is that you’ve cteated a perfect salad for me. Appreciate your attention, Dawn! 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Ben!! So happy you like it 🙂 It’s something we love in our home!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
I love using canned tuna in salads. It’s convenient and a really tasty protein! This sounds like a delicious combination of ingredients with the sun-dried tomatoes, olives and capers. Perfect lunch to meal prep for the week! Here’s hoping the weather improves in Newfoundland soon!!
Girl Heart Food
Totally!! Thanks Leanne! Fingers crossed for nice weather soon..I think it’s supposed to be decent this weekend 🙂
Sarah
I always forget to buy canned lentils, but I really should! They’re so delicious and fast! I want a big bowl of this 😀
Girl Heart Food
You should! Super convenient! Thanks Sarah 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Grain salads are such a lovely choice in the Summer. Hearty and delicious! Loving the mediterranean flavours here. Perfect 🙂
Girl Heart Food
I agree! So easy to put together too! Thanks Jennifer 🙂
Mimi
A great salad. I love lentils on composed salads – sometimes warm lentils if the salad includes grilled chicken. So many options. There is an Ethiopian lentil that I hope to get to if I have time that has shallots and hot chile peppers. Plain, but makes a statement!
Girl Heart Food
Love lentils too! I think I could eat them everyday 🙂 That Ethiopian salad sounds scrumptious! Thanks Mimi 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
OMG! I just made a salad almost exactly like this Dawn except instead of the lentils, I added barley! Great minds! Your version looks delicious!
Girl Heart Food
Haha! Too funny! Barley is lovely too, isn’t it 🙂 Thanks Mary Ann – have a great week!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
These are the kind of meals that I’ve been running towards these days, being so busy!! I love how quick and easy this would come together, and it looks so cool and refreshing for a hot summer day!! Yum, Dawn!! XO
Girl Heart Food
I can only imagine!! Thanks Katherine! Hope all is well 🙂 XO
Milena
Such a vibrant bowl of goodness here! I love olive oil, in my food, on my skin even just looking at it makes me happy:) Pinned! Hope you have a great week, Dawn!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Milena! Sure is 😉 I’m the same – that stuff is just too good! Have a wonderful week!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
This is a perfect summer salad! All those amazing flavors, lentils and tuna! Light enough to not make you feel weighted down and filling enough to keep you going! I think you’ve found a perfect balance.
Girl Heart Food
Exactly!! Thank you so much, Kathy 🙂
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I’m always on the lookout for delicious and original salads, especially ones that feed a crowd! This checks all the boxes! Love this, Dawn! Have a great week, my friend! XOXO
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Annie!! Salads are always happenin’ around here 🙂 Have a wonderful week too 🙂 XOXO