This Levantine salad is so refreshing especially on hot summer days! Enjoy its classic citrus aroma and flavors with this quick and easy Tabouli salad recipe!
This salad is my husband’s favorite salad of all time. He grew up with this salad and has never grown tired of it.
Every few days we make a large batch of this Tabouli salad recipe and store it in a big container in the fridge. He pairs it with nearly every dish he eats at home. Burgers for dinner? Slap on some Tabouli. Steamed veggies, rice, and steak? Pour the Tabouli on that. Sandwiches for lunch? Pass the Tabouli please.
Since we make it so often, we have found an efficient formula that we always stick to (anyone who has made authentic Tabouli knows that there is a lot of chopping involved).
In this post I’ll share our recipe so you can also make this delicious salad quickly without sacrificing any of its refreshing flavors!
What is Tabouli (Tabbouleh) salad?
Tabouli Salad (or Tabbouleh) is a Levantine dish that is typically made with finely chopped fresh parsley, tomato, green onions, mint leaves, fine bulgur, all topped with a lemon juice & olive oil dressing. Traditionally it is served as a side dish for lunch and dinner.
As long as the main ingredients mentioned above are included, you are well on your way to capture the zingy classic taste of this salad.
Ingredients
At a minimum, the following ingredients are needed to get the best flavored Tabouli salad:
Bulk Greens/Veggies:
- Lettuce (Romaine lettuce is recommended)
- Parsley (Curly or Italian)
- Tomatoes (Juicey & Firm recommended)
Flavoring Greens/Veggies:
- Green onions (Both white & green parts)
- Mint (Fresh or Dried)
Dressing:
- Lemon juice (Fresh is recommended)
- Olive oil (or any oil blend that includes olive oil)
- Salt & pepper
Optional ingredients:
- Bulgur
- Cucumbers
- Quinoa
- Chickpeas
You may notice that lettuce is not typically added to authentic Tabouli. There are a couple reasons for this.
First, we prefer a less intense parsley taste in the salad. Second, sometimes large bundles of parsley are not available in the grocery store, especially during the winter months in Canada. So lettuce helps add bulk and add an additional crunchy texture. And don’t forget how nutritious romaine lettuce is!
How to Make Tabouli Salad
Step 1: Wash & Dry
Rinse all ingredients thoroughly, especially parsley. Use a salad spinner to dry them well to prevent diluting the flavors.
Step 2: Prepare Bulgur (optional)
- If serving right away, precook the bulgur according to package instructions.
- If preparing in advance, add dry bulgur directly to the salad at the end and let it absorb the juices for at least 4 hours before serving.
Step 3: Chop Ingredients
Finely chop parsley, mint, green onions, and tomatoes. Chop lettuce into larger chunks for extra crunch. Add everything to a large bowl and pour in any tomato juices.
Step 4: Make Dressing
Squeeze lemon juice into a small bowl. Add olive oil, salt, and pepper, then whisk until combined.
Step 5: Mix & Serve
Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well. Add bulgur (precooked or dry). Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately or let it marinate in the fridge for more flavor.
5 Recipe Tips for Delicious Tabouli Salad
🚿 Wash ingredients well: Rinse leafy greens thoroughly to remove any soil, and ensure they’re properly dried to prevent a watery salad.
🥗 Use a salad spinner: Drying the ingredients with a salad spinner enhances the flavor by reducing excess water that can dilute the dressing and natural taste of the vegetables.
🔪 Use a sharp knife: A sharp knife prevents bruising delicate herbs like parsley and mint, keeping them vibrant and aromatic.
😋 Rehydrate bulgur with salad juices: Skip precooking the bulgur if preparing the salad in advance. Letting it rehydrate in the salad juices enhances flavor.
🍅 Don’t waste tomato juices: Add the tomato juices from the cutting board into the salad for extra flavor.
Ingredient Variations for Tabbouleh
There is lots of space to vary the ingredients in this salad.
For example if you like grape tomatoes, you can use those instead of the tomato-on-the-vine variety that we use. We prefer tomato-on-the-vine because once finely chopped, the tomato juices readily release and infuse nicely with the lemon juice and olive oil dressing.
Additional ingredients can also be added like cucumber, quinoa, chickpeas, and couscous.
Traditionally, fine bulgur is added to Tabouli. Bulgur is a wheat grain that is similar to quinoa and adds texture to the salad. I have it listed as optional because we don’t always add it, especially if we are in a rush. For the purposes of presenting this recipe, I have added it in.
The combinations are endless and again, it is all according to your liking.
What to Pair With
Tabouli salad is a versatile side dish that pairs beautifully with a variety of meals. Serve it alongside juicy beef kafta for a hearty, flavorful combination, or enjoy it with crispy fried cauliflower for a delicious vegetarian option. It also complements grilled chicken, fish, or even a simple platter of hummus and pita bread. The fresh, zesty flavors of tabouli balance and enhance these dishes perfectly!
