Description
These black lentils with spinach are tender, earthy, and deeply flavorful, tossed with lightly caramelized onions and reduced balsamic vinegar. Served over creamy labneh or lemony yogurt, this nourishing vegetarian dish is perfect for weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
- For the lentils:
- 1/2 cup black lentils
- Water, for boiling
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- Flaky sea salt, for finishing
- For the lemony yogurt sauce:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Optional:
- 8 ounces labneh
Instructions
- Place lentils in a pot and cover with water by at least 1 inch. Add kosher salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a gentle simmer, and cook for 23–25 minutes until tender but firm. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add sliced onion and a small pinch of salt. Stir, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook 20–25 minutes until soft and lightly caramelized.
- Remove lid, increase heat to medium, and add balsamic vinegar. Cook 2–3 minutes until reduced and slightly syrupy.
- Add drained lentils to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Add spinach and a pinch of salt. Turn off heat and let wilt for 1–2 minutes. Fold gently to combine. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- If making yogurt sauce, stir together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and salt until smooth.
- To serve, spread labneh or yogurt sauce on a plate and spoon warm lentils over the top. Finish with flaky sea salt.
Notes
- Substitute French green lentils if needed; adjust cooking time slightly.
- Use Swiss chard or mustard greens instead of spinach for variation.
- Store lentils separately from yogurt for up to 4 days.
- Freeze lentil mixture (without dairy) for up to 2 months.
- Add roasted vegetables or fresh herbs for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous serving
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 14 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
