Beet and Lentil Salad With Cheddar

Updated April 20, 2021

Total Time: 30 minutes

Rating: 4 (based on 1,695 reviews)

Comments: Read 139 comments

This salad balances sweet, earthy, and salty flavor profiles. We recommend using store-bought vacuum-packed beets for convenience—they offer a mellow fruitiness and tender texture perfectly suited for salads. (Fresh beets, roasted if time permits, make a suitable substitute.)

Beets naturally complement sharp, tangy ingredients. While goat cheese is a more traditional pairing, crumbly aged Cheddar cuts through the sweetness of the beets and apple cider dressing—any sharp Cheddar will work.

French green lentils are ideal for salads due to their nutty, peppery, mineral-like flavor and ability to hold their shape. Brown lentils are a suitable alternative—note they cook slightly faster, so adjust cooking time as needed. Lastly, canned lentils are a perfectly acceptable time-saving option.

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