Easy Lebanese Tabbouleh Recipe [video] (2024)

Tabbouleh is prepared mainly with parsley, mint, and bulgur in a light dressing! Easy and light, this recipe makes for a healthful and delicious side dish!

If you want to serve healthful, colorful, and enticing salads, then, these recipes are perfect for you: Strawberry Spinach Salad, Chickpea Salad, and Mexican Salad!

Easy Lebanese Tabbouleh Recipe [video] (1)

Homemade Tabbouleh Recipe

Tabbouleh is something that I kept ordering from a restaurant serving Middle Eastern dishes. But since I learned it how to make it at home, I never had to buy it again! And now, I am sharing this easy recipe with you.

I like that this salad is simple and straight-forward but packs in a lot of flavors. I especially like that the dressing is light and healthy. Not to mention, it binds all the flavors together in one delightful dish.

But the main star of the salad is the parsley. Combined with some mint leaves, parsley adds a refreshing vibe to the dish. It makes this salad a whole lot healthier, too – it is full of vitamin A, vitamin K, and antioxidants!

This salad can be made in just under 30 minutes! There is no cooking required, all you have to do is to toss all the ingredients together! Let me show you how to prepare this, read on!

What is Tabbouleh?

It is an Eastern Mediterranean salad that has grown popular in the West and in the rest of the world. Primarily made with parsley, mint, and bulgur wheat in a lemon and olive oil dressing, this dish is quite healthful and easy to make!

Easy Lebanese Tabbouleh Recipe [video] (3)

What is bulgur?

It is a whole grain cereal that is made with cracked wheat (most commonly, durum). What you can buy in grocery stores are already partially cooked, and so, in this recipe, there is no need to cook it further. You will only need to soak it!

It packs in a lot of fiber with minimal calories. Hence, this dish is perfect for those trying to trim their waistline as it will keep you feeling full for a long time.

This ingredient is popular in Mediterranean cuisine and is greatly associated with couscous, a similar wheat product. But the difference lies in the preparation – couscous is not whole-grain and is more like pasta, unlike bulgur. It makes for a great substitute for bulgur though.

Read about bulgur health benefits here.

Is Tabbouleh healthy?

Yes! This dish requires no cooking thereby making all the ingredients fresh. Without cooking, we can avoid breaking down the nutrients as what cooking sometimes does in food.

You get fiber, antioxidants, and carbs from wheat. Individually, the ingredients are healthful and so, this dish is a healthy choice overall!

Even diabetics can consume this despite the use of bulgur. The carbs are within the recommended limit for their diet, and the other vitamins and nutrients are added benefits. Simply watch the salt, or leave it out completely.

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How do you cook bulgur?

For the kind that is used in this recipe, the extra fine kind, just soak the grains in hot water. The grains are so small that this method does the trick.

But, if you are to prepare the coarse kinds with bigger grains, you need to cook the bulgur in water drizzled with oil and added with some salt. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 12 minutes. Then, remove it from heat and let it rest, covered, for another 10 minutes. Then, fluff with a fork and it is done!

How do you make Tabbouleh?

  1. Prep the bulgur: In a bowl, add the bulgur and stir in some oil. Add in the boiling water and cover for 15 minutes. Let it stand for 15 minutes, then, drain. You can use a sieve for this.
  2. Chop the other ingredients: Finely chop the tomatoes (draining any excess juice), parsley, mint leaves, onions, and English cucumber without the seeds.
  3. Toss: Combine everything in a bowl, and season with some salt. Add in the lemon juice and olive oil and mix some more.
  4. Chill then, serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving. This is best served with some pita and in romaine lettuce boats.

How to store it?

This dish will keep in the fridge for about a day or two, kept covered. You can make this in advance though it is best to add in the tomatoes at the last minute before serving. Refrigerating the tomatoes somewhat changes the texture.

Easy Lebanese Tabbouleh Recipe [video] (5)

More healthy side dishes:

  1. Corn Salad
  2. Cranberry Stuffing
  3. Brown Sugar Candied Yams
  4. Panda Express Mixed Veggies
  5. Cabbage Salad

Recipe Tips:

  • When using fresh herbs, make sure to clean them thoroughly removing any dirt or large stems.
  • Substitute the bulgur with quinoa to make it gluten-free.
  • Spread the bulgur on a baking sheet to speed up the cooling process.
  • You can add garlic for a richer flavor.

Lebanese Tabbouleh Recipe

  • Prep Time30 MIN
  • Cook Time
  • Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup extra fine bulgur wheat
  • 2 cups boiling water very hot
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 Roma tomatoes very finely chopped
  • 1 English cucumber seedless and very finely chopped
  • 2 bunches parsley
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 1/4 cup green onions finely chopped
  • 4 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 4 extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt to taste

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Instructions

  • Wash parsley and mint leaves, drain well, remove stems and very finely chop.

  • Stir together bulgur and 1 tablespoon oil in a heatproof bowl. Pour boiling water over, and cover tightly with plastic wrap, let stand 15-20 minutes. Drain using a sieve, pressing onto the bulgur to remove any excess liquid.

  • Add the bulgur to a large bowl, add the chopped parsley, mint, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, lemon juice, and olive oil. Mix to combine.

  • For best results, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Serve with pita bread on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Lebanese Tabbouleh Recipe [video] (6)
Easy Lebanese Tabbouleh Recipe [video] (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Fattoush and tabbouleh? ›

Huge difference! Tabbouleh salad is an herb salad of finely chopped parsley and mint that includes a touch of tomato and bulgur. Tabbouleh salad dressing is a simple, lemony dressing, and also makes a frequent appearance on my plate. Fattoush is a lettuce and vegetable salad, crunchy and full bodied, with pita chips.

What is Lebanese tabbouleh made of? ›

Tabbouleh is basically parsley salad. There's technically no lettuce in it. It's a salad made up of parsley, tomatoes, bulgur wheat, and green onions – all finely chopped and tossed with olive oil and lemon juice!

How long does tabouli last in the fridge? ›

Because of its ingredients, tabouli will last in the refrigerator for up to four days, so make sure you eat it before then.

Why is tabouli so good? ›

Tabbouleh is a healthy, vegetarian food that has no cholesterol, is low in fat, and high in fiber, vitamins, and much more. Plus, it makes great use of the backyard gardener's abundance of parsley, mint, tomatoes and cucumbers. This vegan dish can be made gluten-free by substituting quinoa for bulgur wheat.

What is Fattoush dressing made of? ›

Made with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, mint, sumac and pomegranate molasses, this zesty dressing is what separates authentic fattoush from all other fattoush. It helps the salad come together with a distinguished taste.

What grain is tabbouleh made from? ›

Authentic tabbouleh is made with super fine grain (#1) bulgur and it's soaked rather than cooked, but I haven't been able to find it at regular grocery stores. There are several other varieties of bulgurs, and you'll probably find only one option at the store. So, cook (or soak) it according to the package directions.

Why is my tabbouleh bitter? ›

The most likely sources of bitterness in a tabbouleh are parsley and olive oil. The parsley should be finely chopped to avoid bitter flavours.

Why is my tabbouleh soggy? ›

Salting the tomatoes, though, turned out not to be enough. The parsley, while much less wet than tomato, has enough of its own water content that, once seasoned with salt, it too will gradually release water into the salad and over-moisten it.

Is tabbouleh good for your gut? ›

Digestive Benefits: Tabouleh is packed with ingredients that promote digestion and gut health. Parsley, the star herb in this salad, is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, aiding in digestion and supporting detoxification processes.

What do you eat tabouli with? ›

Tabbouleh Serving Suggestions
  1. Dips and spreads. Hummus, baba ganoush, muhammara, and tzatziki are all fantastic with tabbouleh.
  2. Pita bread. We love to make our own! ...
  3. Cheeses. Set out cubes of feta, or make homemade labneh or this whipped feta dip.
  4. Fresh veggies. ...
  5. Olives or toasted nuts.

What is a substitute for bulgur in tabouli? ›

While the classic tabbouleh recipe includes bulgur wheat, alternative versions can be made without it, using substitutes like quinoa, couscous, or even omitting the grain entirely. These variations allow for dietary restrictions or personal preferences while still maintaining the essence of the dish.

Can you eat tabbouleh everyday? ›

This Everyday Tabouli recipe is so easy that you can happily enjoy this bulger, tomato, cucumber, onion, and herb salad every day! Tabouli is a great side that I could eat every day. I love the textures from the bulgar wheat and chopped vegetables. The flavors are bold from the fresh herbs and lemony dressing.

Is tabbouleh good for high blood pressure? ›

Recipes like our Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cauliflower "Rice" Tabbouleh and Roasted Salmon with Smoky Chickpeas & Greens are low in sodium and saturated fat, which is great for healthier blood pressure.

Which country invented tabbouleh? ›

Lebanon

Does tabouli help with weight loss? ›

Yes, this recipe is good for diabetics, heart and weight loss. A cup of freshly chopped parsley fulfils your days requirement of vitamin C and vitamin K and folate. Parsley is part of Heart-friendly foods.

What is another name for tabouli? ›

Tabbouleh (Arabic: تبولة, romanized: tabbūla), also transcribed tabouleh, tabbouli, tabouli, or taboulah, is a Levantine salad made mostly of finely chopped parsley, with tomatoes, mint, onion, soaked uncooked bulgur, and seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and sweet pepper.

What is a substitute for tabbouleh? ›

While the classic tabbouleh recipe includes bulgur wheat, alternative versions can be made without it, using substitutes like quinoa, couscous, or even omitting the grain entirely. These variations allow for dietary restrictions or personal preferences while still maintaining the essence of the dish.

How would you describe tabbouleh? ›

According to Wikipedia, tabbouleh is a salad of Arab origin and is "traditionally made of bulgur, tomato, and finely chopped parsley and mint, often including onion and garlic, seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice and salt." What I enjoy about tabbouleh is its refreshing flavor.

What ethnicity is tabbouleh? ›

If you're asking yourself what cuisine is tabbouleh salad from: it's Lebanese! Lebanese tabbouleh is essentially a chopped salad. Authentic tabbouleh is made with lots of fresh parsley leaves, diced tomato, thin slices of scallion, fresh mint leaves, and a bit of soaked fine bulgur.

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