Cucumber Bell Pepper Lentil Salad

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There’s not a lot you need to make a healthy bowl of salad yourself, and this cucumber bell pepper lentil salad is the perfect example of just that.

The salad is crafted using simple pantry staples and is rich in protein, fiber and other macro and micronutrients. And despite all that, it actually tastes incredibly delicious too!

super delicious cucumber bell pepper lentil salad

Scroll down to take a quick look at everything you need to know about making this salad.

Ingredients For the Recipe

To make the cucumber bell pepper lentil salad, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients.

ingredients of cucumber bell pepper lentil salad

Cucumber (chopped): ¼ cup
Red, green, yellow bell pepper (chopped): ¼ cup
Pineapple (chopped): ¼ cup
Onions (chopped): ¼ cup
Split orange lentil or masoor dal (boiled): ¼ cup
Kasundi or mustard paste: 2 tbsp
Red chili powder: 1 tsp
Chaat masala: 1 tsp
Salt: ½ teaspoon or as per taste
Coriander leaves (finely chopped): For garnish

How to Make the Cucumber Bell Pepper Lentil Salad

Once you have your ingredients ready, here’s the step by step process you’ll need to follow.

take chopped vegetables with boiled lentils in a bowl

In a mixing bowl, add all the ingredients one by one

add spices and kasundi to the bowl and mix well

add spices and kasundi and mix well.

enjoy delicious cucumber bell pepper lentil salad

Serve as a delicious protein and fiber rich side to your meals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Else Can I Add to the Cucumber Bell Pepper Lentil Salad?

Apart from the cucumber and different bell peppers, you can also add some other fresh veggies into the salad.
Chopped tomatoes can lend a nice bit of tanginess, while carrots can add a nice crunch factor to the salad. You can also add some diced cucumbers into the mix if you want to.
This salad is also a great way to get some greens on your plate.

Can I Use Any Other Kind of Lentil?

You definitely can! Red lentils are an absolute classic and are super easy to work with, which is why we’ve used them for this recipe.
If you don’t have them, you can use canned chickpeas, kidney beans or white beans to get some of that protein into the salad.

What Can I Use Instead of Kasundi?

The kasundi is what lends this salad that earthy, rustic flavor. If you don’t have it, you can use mustard paste or even some American mustard instead.

How Do I Store the Leftovers?

Like most other salads, this one tastes best when put together and consumed fresh. If you do have some leftovers, you can transfer them to a food safe container, preferably one with an airtight lid, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.

Tips & Tricks to Make the Cucumber Bell Pepper Lentil Salad

While making this nutritious and healthy salad is super easy, you might want to take note of these little tips and tricks.

When boiling the red lentils, make sure you don’t end up over cooking them. You’ll ideally want to cook them to the point where they are just done, but don't end up getting mushy when mixed with other ingredients.
To bulk up the salad, you can also add some roughly chopped lettuce or cabbage into the mix.
For extra flavor and nutrition, use red cabbage instead of regular cabbage.
Another great idea is to first roast the bell peppers on high heat until they develop that nice char on the outside, and then use them for the recipe.
Chopped mangoes can also be a great addition to the salad. They are chock full of vitamin C, fiber and other nutrients.
To elevate the flavors of the salad, you can also drizzle a bit of lemon juice on the top, right before you serve.
For some healthy fats, a good drizzle of olive oil (preferably extra virgin) should do the trick.

top view of cucumber bell pepper lentil salad

Serving Ideas & Suggestions

This cucumber bell pepper lentil salad is full of flavor, and packs in a ton of protein and fiber. You can enjoy it as a light lunch, or serve it on the side with any other main of your choice.

Since this salad has predominant Indian flavors, it makes sense to team it up with a delicious curry.

If you enjoyed trying your hands at this recipe, and are inspired enough to give some more such recipes a shot, here are a few handpicked ones you might want to check out.

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