Back to the library
LebanonTraditional

Tabbouleh

A refreshing Levantine salad made primarily of finely chopped parsley, mint, tomatoes, and onions, with a small amount of bulgur wheat.

40 minBeginner4 servings
Start cooking mode
Tabbouleh

Origin & history

Tabbouleh originated in the mountains of Lebanon and Syria. It has been a staple of the Levantine diet for centuries, traditionally served as part of a mezze spread.

Ingredients

4

Quantities recalculate automatically.

Greens

Vegetables

Grain

Dressing

The method

Step by step

3 steps
  1. 01

    Prepare Bulgur

    15 min

    Soak the fine bulgur in a little water or lemon juice until soft. Drain well.

    Do not over-soak; it should remain slightly chewy.

  2. 02

    Chop Herbs

    20 min

    Finely chop the parsley and mint. This is the most important step; the herbs should be delicate, not bruised.

    Use a very sharp knife to avoid bruising the herbs.

  3. 03

    Assemble

    5 min

    Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Toss with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt just before serving.

    Dress the salad immediately before serving to keep the herbs crisp.

Chef tips

  • — The ratio should be mostly parsley, not mostly bulgur.
  • — Use the freshest herbs possible.

Common mistakes

  • — Using too much bulgur.
  • — Bruising the parsley by using a dull knife.

Substitutions

  • Bulgur → QuinoaFor a gluten-free version

Storage & serving

Best eaten fresh; will wilt if stored with dressing.

Serve chilled or at room temperature with romaine lettuce leaves.

Food safety

Wash herbs thoroughly to remove soil.

From the community

Reviews

—

0 ratings

No published reviews yet. If you cook this dish, yours will be the first.

Cooked this dish?

Sign in to rate the recipe, leave notes for other cooks and keep it in your cookbook.