10+ Lentil Side Dish Recipes to Elevate Your Meals

Lentils are a versatile and nutritious ingredient that can elevate your meals. Incorporating lentil side dishes into your cooking can add flavor, texture, and health benefits to your meals. These dishes are not only easy to prepare but also budget-friendly, making them perfect for any occasion.

Whether you are looking to complement a main dish or want a hearty meal on its own, lentils offer numerous possibilities. With simple ingredients and quick cooking times, you can enjoy a variety of delightful lentil recipes that are sure to please your taste buds.

Spicy Lentil Curry

Spicy lentil curry is a warm and delicious dish that’s simple to make. You can enjoy it as a side or a main dish. This recipe is loaded with flavor and healthy ingredients.

To begin, cook your lentils in boiling water until they are soft. This usually takes about 20 minutes.

Next, heat olive oil in a pan and cook chopped onions until they are translucent. Add garlic, ginger, and spices like cumin and coriander for added flavor.

Mix in tomatoes and let everything simmer. Finally, stir in your cooked lentils and some coconut milk for creaminess. Finish with fresh cilantro for a burst of flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lentils
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 can tomatoes
• 1 cup coconut milk
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook lentils in boiling water for 20 minutes.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan.
3. Cook onions until translucent.
4. Add garlic, ginger, cumin, and coriander.
5. Stir in tomatoes and simmer.
6. Mix in lentils and coconut milk.
7. Garnish with cilantro before serving.

2) Lentil and Quinoa Salad

Lentil and quinoa salad is a healthy and tasty side dish. It’s packed with protein and fiber, making it a great choice for any meal. This salad is easy to prepare and can be made in advance.

Start by cooking your quinoa. Rinse it before boiling in salted water. This helps to remove the bitter coating. Lentils should also be rinsed and cooked until tender.

Combine the cooked quinoa and lentils in a bowl. You can add your favorite veggies, like bell peppers or cucumbers, for extra crunch. A simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper works well to brighten the flavors.

This salad can be enjoyed warm or cold. It also keeps well in the fridge for several days, making it perfect for meal prep.

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 cup lentils
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse quinoa and lentils under cold water.
2. Boil quinoa in salted water for 15 minutes at 200°F (93°C).
3. Cook lentils until tender, about 20 minutes at 190°F (88°C).
4. Combine in a bowl with chopped veggies.
5. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
6. Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss to combine.

3) Lentil and Tomato Stew

Lentil and tomato stew is a comforting dish that brings warmth to any meal. With tender lentils and rich tomatoes, it’s both flavorful and nutritious.

Start by cooking onions, carrots, and fennel in oil until soft. Then, add your lentils along with diced tomatoes and spices.

You can let it simmer on low heat. Check for seasoning, and stir occasionally to keep everything combined.

This stew can be a perfect side or a main dish. Enjoy it with crusty bread or over rice for a filling meal.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lentils
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 stalk fennel, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onions, carrots, and fennel. Cook until soft, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Stir in lentils, tomatoes, chicken stock, curry powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes until lentils are tender.
5. Stir occasionally and check the liquid level. Adjust seasoning as needed.

4) Curried Red Lentil Soup

Curried red lentil soup is a warm and comforting dish perfect for any day. It’s simple to make and packed with flavor. The main ingredients are red lentils, spices, and broth.

Start by sautéing onion and garlic in a pot. Then, add lentils and spices like curry, cumin, and ginger. These add a rich taste to the soup. Pour in vegetable or chicken broth and bring it to a boil.

Let it simmer until the lentils are soft, usually about 20 minutes. You can add greens like kale for extra nutrition.

To serve, this soup pairs well with crusty bread or rice. You’ll enjoy its creamy texture and delightful spices.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 cup kale (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Sauté chopped onion and minced garlic in a pot.
2. Add red lentils, curry powder, and cumin; stir well.
3. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until lentils are tender.
5. Stir in kale and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

5) Lentil and Sweet Potato Mash

Lentil and sweet potato mash is a delicious and nutritious side dish. It brings together the earthy taste of lentils and the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes. This mash is perfect for family dinners or holiday gatherings.

To make this dish, start by cooking your lentils until they are tender. You can use green or brown lentils for the best texture. Meanwhile, steam or boil sweet potatoes until soft.

Once both ingredients are cooked, mash them together in a bowl. Add a little butter or olive oil for creaminess. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg for added flavor.

Serve this warm mash as a side dish to complement your main meals. It pairs well with roasted vegetables and meats.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lentils (green or brown)
• 2 medium sweet potatoes
• 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook lentils in boiling water for about 20-25 minutes until soft.
2. Peel and chop sweet potatoes, boiling or steaming until tender.
3. Drain lentils and sweet potatoes.
4. Mash lentils and sweet potatoes together in a bowl.
5. Stir in butter or olive oil, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
6. Serve warm.

6) Lentil and Mushroom Pilaf

Lentil and Mushroom Pilaf is a delicious and hearty dish. It combines the earthy flavors of lentils and mushrooms. This makes it a perfect side for any meal or a nutritious main course.

You’ll start by cooking lentils until they’re tender. Sauté some onions and garlic in a pan. Add mushrooms for extra flavor. The combination is both savory and satisfying.

Season the mix with your favorite herbs and spices. Feel free to add a splash of vegetable broth for more depth. Serve it warm, and enjoy the cozy vibes this dish brings.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lentils
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs (like parsley or thyme)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse and cook lentils in boiling water for about 20 minutes, or until tender.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté until golden.
4. Stir in sliced mushrooms and cook until soft.
5. Add cooked lentils and vegetable broth. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs.
6. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve warm.

7) Greek Lentil Salad with Feta

Greek lentil salad with feta is a flavorful and nutritious dish. It combines lentils, fresh vegetables, and creamy feta cheese. This salad is perfect for a side dish or a light meal.

To start, you will need to cook your lentils until they are tender. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes. While they are cooking, chop up colorful peppers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.

Once the lentils are ready, drain them and let them cool. In a bowl, mix the lentils with the chopped vegetables. Add crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, and fresh herbs like parsley or dill for extra flavor.

For the dressing, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and oregano. Drizzle this dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Your Greek lentil salad with feta is now ready to enjoy!

Ingredients

• 400g brown lentils
• 2-3 colorful peppers
• 10 cherry tomatoes
• 1 red onion
• 250g feta cheese
• 10 kalamata olives
• Olive oil
• Red wine vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Oregano
• Fresh parsley or dill

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse and cook lentils in water until tender (20-30 minutes).
2. Chop peppers, tomatoes, and red onion.
3. Drain lentils and let cool.
4. Combine lentils, vegetables, and crumbled feta in a bowl.
5. Whisk together dressing ingredients and pour over salad.
6. Toss gently and serve.

8) Lentil and Vegetable Stir-Fry

A lentil and vegetable stir-fry is a delicious and healthy side dish. It’s simple to make and loaded with nutrients. You can easily customize it with your favorite veggies.

Start with cooked lentils. They provide a great source of protein and fiber. Pair them with colorful vegetables like bell peppers and kale for added flavor and nutrition.

Using a non-stick skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add your veggies and stir-fry for a few minutes until they are tender. Finally, mix in the lentils and stir well to combine.

This dish works well as a side or even a light main meal. Enjoy it warm!

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry lentils
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chopped kale

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the lentils and cook them in vegetable broth according to package instructions.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
4. Add kale and cook until wilted.
5. Stir in the cooked lentils and mix well.

9) Lentil Stuffed Peppers

Lentil stuffed peppers are a colorful and healthy dish. They’re easy to make and perfect as a side or main dish. You can customize them with your favorite vegetables and spices.

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Cut bell peppers in half and remove the seeds. Place them on a baking sheet, cut side up.

In a large bowl, combine cooked lentils, rice, diced tomatoes, and feta cheese. Add some lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Fill each pepper half with the lentil mixture.

Bake the peppers for about 25-30 minutes. If you like, you can broil them for a few minutes to get a nice, golden top.

These stuffed peppers are not only tasty but also full of nutrients. They can be served warm and garnished with fresh herbs for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 cup cooked lentils
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 cup feta cheese
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut peppers in half and remove seeds.
3. In a bowl, mix lentils, rice, tomatoes, feta, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
4. Fill each pepper with the mixture.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
6. Optionally broil for a few minutes for a golden top.

10) Smoky Lentil Tacos

Smoky lentil tacos are a delicious and simple way to enjoy lentils. They are perfect for a quick dinner or a fun gathering with friends. You can make them flavorful with spices and toppings.

To start, cook lentils until they are tender. You can use canned lentils to save time. Just rinse and heat them in a pan.

Add spices like cumin and smoked paprika for a smoky taste.

While warming the lentils, sauté some onion and garlic in a skillet. When they are soft, combine them with the lentils.

Serve the mixture in taco shells and add your favorite toppings. Fresh avocado, salsa, or cheese make great options. Enjoy your tasty smoky lentil tacos!

Ingredients

• 1 cup lentils (cooked)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Taco shells
• Toppings (avocado, cheese, salsa)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook lentils according to package instructions.
2. Heat oil in a skillet. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
3. Stir in cooked lentils, cumin, and smoked paprika.
4. Serve in taco shells with toppings.