Lentil Grain Bowl (Printable)
Protein-packed lentils and grains with fresh veggies and a bright lemon-herb dressing for a satisfying meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grains & Lentils
01 - 1 cup cooked quinoa (or brown rice or farro)
02 - 1 cup cooked green or brown lentils, drained and rinsed
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
05 - 1 cup baby spinach or kale
06 - 1 large carrot, shredded
07 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
→ Herbed Lemon Dressing
09 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
13 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
14 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Toppings
15 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (omit for vegan)
16 - 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, or dill)
# How To Make:
01 - Prepare quinoa and lentils according to package directions if not using pre-cooked varieties. Let cool slightly until warm or at room temperature.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, parsley, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well emulsified.
03 - Divide cooked quinoa among 4 serving bowls as the base. Arrange lentils, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, spinach or kale, shredded carrot, and red onion evenly over each portion.
04 - Drizzle the herbed lemon dressing generously over each bowl. Top with crumbled feta cheese, toasted seeds, fresh herbs, and sliced avocado if desired.
05 - Serve immediately at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days for a chilled grain bowl. For meal prep, store components separately and combine just before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It solves the weeknight dinner problem with almost zero stress and maximum flavor.
- Every component can be prepped ahead, making it a meal prep dream that never gets boring.
02 -
- Warm grains will wilt your greens instantly, so always let them cool to at least room temperature before assembling.
- The dressing separates after sitting, so give it a quick rewhisk if you made it ahead of time.
03 -
- Massaging kale with a drop of olive oil for thirty seconds transforms it from tough and bitter to tender and sweet.
- A pinch of salt in the dressing right at the start helps break down the garlic and mellows its sharpness beautifully.