Halloween Blood Orange Lentil Salad

This dark, elegant Halloween Blood Orange Lentil Salad is perfect for fall dinner parties, and comes together quickly!

Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish

Keyword apple cider vinegar, blood oranges, dijon mustard, honey, lentils, lettuce, olive oil, pepitas

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 12

Servings as a side

Calories 236kcal

Ingredients

The Salad

1 Cup Black Lentils uncooked
6 Cups Mixed Greens or Mesclun Lettuce
2 Blood Oranges supremed
1/3 Cup Roasted, Salted Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds)

Vinaigrette

1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 1/2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Tbsp Blood Orange Juice
1/2 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
1/2 Tbsp Honey
1/4 Tsp Salt or more, to taste
Black Pepper to taste
1/4 Tsp Paprika
1/4 Tsp Dried Parsley

Instructions

If you can, soak your lentils for an hour before cooking. However, this is not necessary, and you can double-rinse your lentils after cooking.
Prep your lentils by rinsing them under cold water, and remove any dirt particles you see (if any).
Fill a large pot with 5-6 cups of water, and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add a pinch of salt (about 1 tsp) and the lentils. Stirring occasionally, cook the lentils until al dente - usually about 15-20 minutes (but will be less if you soak them ahead of time), or according to the directions on your box of lentils. Check often towards the end of the cooking time for doneness.
When the lentils are done, drain them from the cooking water, then rinse them well with cold water and drain. Set aside.
Make the vinaigrette by combining all of the vinaigrette ingredients, whisking together until completely combined. Taste, and adjust seasonings to your preference.
Then, supreme the blood oranges. Cut off about 1/4" of the top and bottom of the orange. Then, carefully with a sharp knife, cut along the rind of the oranges, following its curve around the fruit. Cut off as much of the rind as you can without cutting off too much of the fruit. Repeat around the orange until you've completely cut the rind off. Then, cut out the segments of fruit by carefully cutting near the dividing pith on both sides, freeing the fruit. Do this until you've cut out all of the segments.
Now, assemble the salad. Place the lettuce in a large serving bowl, then add on the lentils and orange segments. Mix. Top with the salted pepitas. From here, you can either drizzle on as much or as little of the dressing as you'd like, or serve the dressing on the side.
Enjoy!

Notes

If desired, you can add some feta for a little extra savoriness and protein.
You can prep this salad ahead of time by making all of the ingredients separately, then assembling JUST before serving.

Nutrition

https://wellandfull.com/2025/10/halloween-blood-orange-lentil-salad/

Tried this recipe?Let me know @wellandfull or tag #wellandfull! :)