Salad · Lunch · French ·

Earthy French Lentil Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

Name: Earthy French Lentil Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Salad
Ingredients: 1 cup French green lentils, rinsed; 3 cups water; 1 bay leaf; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; Salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled; 1/2 cup walnuts, lightly toasted and chopped; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 2 cups mixed salad greens; 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

This vibrant salad combines earthy lentils, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy walnuts with a tangy dressing to create a dish that's as delicious as it is nourishing.

4.5(709 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·January 27, 2026

Earthy French Lentil Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts — Salad served and photographed from above

Prep

15 min

Cook

45 min

Difficulty

Easy

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Lentil Salad

For the Dressing

For the Toppings

For the Assembly

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 423 kcal
Protein: 18.7 g
Carbs: 34.6 g
Fat: 24.5 g
Fiber: 9.6 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1692 kcal
Protein: 74.6 g
Carbs: 138.3 g
Fat: 98.1 g
Fiber: 38.4 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 cup French green lentils rinsed	680	50	116	2	31
3 cups water	0	0	0	0	0
1 bay leaf	0	0	0	0	0
3 tablespoons olive oil	360	0	0	40.5	0
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar	3	0	0.2	0	0
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard	5	0.3	0.3	0.2	0
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1/2 cup goat cheese crumbled	190	12	0	16	0
1/2 cup walnuts lightly toasted and chopped	392	9	8	39	4
1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped	4	0.3	0.8	0.1	0.4
2 cups mixed salad greens	18	2	3	0.2	1.5
1 small red onion thinly sliced	40	1	10	0.1	1.5

These nutrition estimates are approximations and not intended for dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Lentils

1
Combine Lentils and Bay Leaf
Combine lentils, water, and bay leaf in a medium saucepan.
2
Bring to a Boil
Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer.
3
Cook and Drain
Cook for 20-25 minutes until tender, then drain and discard bay leaf.
Tip: Do not overcook the lentils; they should be tender but not mushy.

Making the Dressing

1
Whisk Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, and Dijon mustard.
2
Season
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3
Rest Dressing
Set aside until ready to use.
Tip: This dressing can be made a day ahead to enhance its flavor.

How to Make Earthy French Lentil Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

Total time: 1 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Combine Lentils and Dressing
Mix cooked lentils with dressing in a large bowl.
2
Toss Salad
Add salad greens and red onion to the lentils and toss well.
3
Add Toppings
Top with goat cheese, walnuts, and parsley before serving.