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In this post, let's discuss how to make this protein-packed black lentil salad with roasted radishes recipe with creamy yogurt dressing and learn about how to cook radishes for the spring season ahead!
What You'll Need:
Ingredients:
- Radishes (fresh or frozen)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Herbs: Thyme, chives, bay leaf
- Garlic powder (or fresh garlic)
- Black lentils
- Plain yogurt
- Medium lemon (or lemon juice)
- Salt and pepper
Equipment:
- Baking Sheet
- Mixing bowls
- Medium pot
How To Make It:
First, you'll want to prepare the radishes before roasting. Trimming the radishes with part of the stem (up to 1") looks beautiful and is only optional for aesthetic reasons. After halving the radishes you'll combine them with olive oil, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper to taste. The radishes will then be ready for roasting!
While the radishes are roasting, it's time to start the lentils. Combine the lentils with water (or vegetable broth) and a bay leaf in a medium pot and bring to a simmer. Once the lentils are cooking, it is time to make the yogurt dressing.
As radishes and lentils cook, the yogurt dressing is mixed in a small bowl and set aside. After everything is done, the radishes can cool and the lentils can be drained and rinsed with cold water. Don't forget to remove the bay leaf!
To plate, spoon about a cup or two of lentils and top with the radishes. Drizzle the yogurt dressing on top!
How to Cook Radishes:
Besides being a beautiful favorite on vegetable platters, radishes are prepared in many ways!
Saute: Saute radishes on medium-high heat in a skillet until browned and tender, about 10 minutes. Butter or olive oil are excellent oils for cooking radishes.
Pickled: Try quick-pickled radishes using vinegar and sugar; store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Air Fryer: Cook radishes in the air fryer for half the cooking time!
Raw: Radishes are flavorful and provide the perfect crunch to salads, tacos, sandwiches, and even on their own with some garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice!
Variations:
Gluten-Free: This roasted radish salad is naturally gluten-free!
Vegetarian: This recipe is naturally vegetarian! If you prefer more protein, add some grilled tofu or baked tempeh!
Vegan or Dairy-Free: Substitute the yogurt for a dairy-free yogurt such as cashew, soy, or pea-protein-based yogurt, or make it without the yogurt using olive oil with lemon juice, chives, and garlic.
Omnivore: This radish salad pairs nicely with salmon or chicken!
Not a fan of radishes? Instead, try delicious carrots, turnips, or beets!
Other lentils, beans, black rice, and even quinoa can be substituted for the black lentil salad.
In summary, radishes are a gorgeous and versatile root vegetable! They are more than just the raw form on a vegetable platter! Adding them with protein and fiber-rich lentils makes it a perfect plant-powered meal.
I hope you enjoyed this recipe and feel free to leave me any feedback or comments below!
XOXO Bunny
Black Lentil Salad with Roasted Radishes
Black lentil salad using roasted radishes and a creamy yogurt dressing is the perfect side dish or main for a lighter spring meal. Roasted radishes add new texture and flavor to your typical raw version!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
2 bunches red radishes, trimmed and halved; (Save the leaves and see Notes 1 and 2)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1-2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (about 2 sprigs), or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 clove fresh garlic minced)
Salt and pepper to taste
Beluga Lentils:
1 cup dried black lentils (such as beluga), rinsed and drained (see Notes 3)
3 cups water or vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
Yogurt Dressing:
½ cup plain yogurt, low-fat or whole milk
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
Juice of one lemon (about 2-3 tablespoons)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Set aside a parchment-lined baking pan.
Combine the radishes with the oil, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Transfer the radishes to the baking pan and place cut side down (red radish color facing up). Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browning.
While the radishes cook, combine the lentils, water (or broth), and bay leaf in a medium pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the lentils are softened (should still be tender to the bite). Drain, remove the bay leaf, and set aside.
While the radishes and lentils are cooking, prepare the yogurt dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, garlic, chives, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Set aside.
Once the radishes and lentils are ready, plate the lentils and top with radishes. Drizzle the yogurt dressing on top.
Notes
- For a prettier dish, keep just parts of the radish stem attached.
- Save the radish greens for a fun pesto or saute with garlic and olive oil!
- While rinsing and draining the lentils, look for any small rocks or pebbles!
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