Quinoa and Lentil Salad with Cranberries
Quinoa and Lentil Salad with Cranberries brings together tender lentils and fluffy quinoa with a bright lemon-honey dressing. Toasted walnuts add crunch, dried cranberries lend a sweet-tart pop, and creamy feta balances everything with a salty edge. Serve it chilled for lunch, as a hearty side at gatherings, or as a make-ahead weeknight dinner.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook45 mins
- Serves12
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Quinoa and Lentil Salad with Cranberries, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 55 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0.73 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityPoor
- 40 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 46
- Heart Health
- 73
- Metabolic
- 28
- Digestive
- 21
- Inflammatory
- 25
- Performance
- 29
- General Wellness
- 1
Put the lentils and 1 bay leaf in a saucepan, add enough water to cover, and bring to a boil.
- 2
Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 30 minutes; drain and discard the bay leaf.
- 3
Rinse the lentils under cold water until cool, then move them to a large bowl.
- 4
In a saucepan, bring 2 cups water, the quinoa, and the remaining bay leaf to a boil.
- 5
Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.
- 6
Rinse the quinoa with cold water until cool, discard the bay leaf, and stir the quinoa into the lentils.
- 7
Warm the lemon juice in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave, about 30 seconds.
- 8
Stir the honey into the lemon juice until dissolved.
- 9
Add the vinegar and salt, then whisk in the olive oil and season with black pepper.
- 10
Pour the lemon juice mixture over the lentils and quinoa.
- 11
Stir the walnuts, cranberries, feta cheese, and green onion into the lentil and quinoa salad.
- 12
Toss to coat.
- 13
Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.
- Calories 181.93 kcal Moderate 9%
- Protein 6.31 g Moderate 13%
- Carbohydrate 19.45 g 7%
- Total Fat 9.63 g Moderate 12%
- Saturated Fat 1.89 g Moderate 9%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 6.3 mg Low Source 2%
- Sodium 87.71 mg Low Source 4%
- Dietary Fiber 3.52 g Moderate 13%
- Total Sugars 3.02 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 63.08 mg Low Source 5%
- Iron 1.42 mg Low Source 8%
- Potassium 85.99 mg Low Source 2%
- Vitamin A 11.68 mcg Low Source 1%
- Vitamin C 2.74 mg Low Source 3%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Citrus 🍊
- Tree Nuts 🌰
- Milk 🥛
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Quinoa and Lentil Salad with Cranberries is an American side dish recipe made with 14 ingredients. It takes about 1 hr, serves 12, and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Chopped Walnuts, Crumbled Feta Cheese, and Dried Bay Leaves. Each serving provides about 181.93 kcal.
Recipe Questions
- What is Quinoa and Lentil Salad with Cranberries?
- It is an American salad recipe made with 14 ingredients, usually served for side dish or lunch or salad.
- What is Quinoa and Lentil Salad with Cranberries made of?
- The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Chopped Walnuts, Crumbled Feta Cheese, Dried Bay Leaves, Dried Cranberry. The full list of 14 is above.
- How long does it take to make Quinoa and Lentil Salad with Cranberries?
- About 1 hr in total: 15 mins to prepare and 45 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 181.93 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Quinoa and Lentil Salad with Cranberries easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 14 ingredients and 13 steps.
- Is Quinoa and Lentil Salad with Cranberries healthy?
- Quinoa and Lentil Salad with Cranberries has an easyChef Pro health score of 36/100. Per serving, it provides 181.93 calories and 6.31 g of protein, or 13% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: saturated fat at 1.89 g (9% of the Daily Value). It contains Citrus, Tree Nuts, Milk and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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