Salade de Lentilles Tièdes (Warm Puy Lentil Salad with Goat's Cheese)
Peppery green lentils simmered until just tender, dressed warm and finished with creamy goat's cheese and fresh herbs.
Made with Basic vinaigrette. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.59 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Rinse the lentils in a sieve under cold water. Put them in a pan with the carrot, celery, bay leaf and the water.
- 2
Bring to the boil, then turn down to a gentle simmer. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape.
25 min - 3
Drain well, remove the bay leaf and tip the warm lentils into a large bowl.
- 4
Pour over your ready made basic vinaigrette (see the base recipe) and stir gently. Warm lentils soak up the dressing, so do this while they are hot.
- 5
Fold through the spring onions and parsley, then taste and add salt and pepper.
- 6
Spoon onto plates and crumble the goat's cheese over the top. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- Do not add salt to the cooking water. Salting too early can toughen lentils, so season after draining.
- Do not overcook the lentils. Start testing at 18 minutes, as they should keep a slight bite.
- Swap the goat's cheese for toasted pumpkin seeds for a vegan and dairy free version.
Storing and freezing
Keeps 3 days in a covered box in the fridge. Eat cold or reheat gently until steaming hot, then add the cheese fresh.
Questions
Can I use tinned lentils?
Yes. Use two 400 g tins of green lentils, drained and rinsed, and warm them in a pan for 3 minutes before dressing.
Why Puy lentils?
Puy lentils hold their shape and have a peppery flavour, so they stay separate rather than turning mushy. Ordinary green or brown lentils work but cook faster and soften more.
Is this salad vegan?
It is not tagged vegetarian because some goat's cheeses use animal rennet, so check the label. Leave out the goat's cheese and add toasted seeds or chopped walnuts for a vegan version, if nuts are fine for you.
More made with basic vinaigrette
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.