Tabbouleh
A vibrant and refreshing Lebanese parsley salad, where fresh herbs, particularly parsley and mint, are the stars, complemented by a small amount of fine bulgur, diced tomatoes, and scallions, all brought together with a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 cups Fresh parsley(packed, very finely chopped. Ensure leaves are dry before chopping for best texture.)
- 1 cup Fresh mint(leaves only, finely chopped)
- 60 g Fine bulgur wheat(also known as #1 grade bulgur)
- 2 Tomatoes(medium-sized, ripe, finely diced (about 1/4-inch dice))
- 4 stalks Scallions(white and light green parts only, thinly sliced)
- 80 ml Fresh lemon juice(from about 2-3 lemons, strained)
- 80 ml Extra virgin olive oil
- to taste Salt(fine sea salt or kosher salt recommended)
- to taste Black pepper(freshly ground, optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the bulgur: Place the fine bulgur in a medium bowl. Cover with cold water by about 1 inch and let it soak for 20 minutes. Once softened, drain the bulgur thoroughly using a fine-mesh sieve, pressing gently with the back of a spoon to remove as much excess water as possible. Set aside to allow further draining.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 2
Chop the herbs: Wash and thoroughly dry the fresh parsley and mint. Finely chop the parsley until it has a texture almost like coarse sand. Finely chop the mint leaves. The key is to chop them very finely for the characteristic tabbouleh texture.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 3
Dice the vegetables: Finely dice the tomatoes into small, uniform pieces (about 1/4-inch). Thinly slice the white and light green parts of the scallions.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Combine the ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped parsley, chopped mint, drained bulgur, diced tomatoes, and sliced scallions. Gently toss to distribute the ingredients evenly.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Dress the salad: In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. Pour this dressing over the combined salad ingredients. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, if using. Toss gently until everything is well coated. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 6
Rest and serve: For the best flavor, let the tabbouleh rest for at least 10-15 minutes at room temperature (or refrigerate briefly if serving chilled) to allow the flavors to meld. Serve as is, or with crisp romaine lettuce leaves for scooping.
⏱️ 10-15 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The ratio of herbs to bulgur is crucial; parsley should be the dominant ingredient, with bulgur acting as a subtle textural element.
- ✓Ensure all herbs and vegetables are thoroughly dried after washing and before chopping. This prevents a watery salad and allows the dressing to coat the ingredients properly.
- ✓Tabbouleh is best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The flavors will continue to meld, but the herbs may lose some vibrancy.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the bulgur with cooked quinoa (cooled) or finely chopped cauliflower rice.
- Add finely diced cucumber for extra freshness and crunch.
- A pinch of sumac can add a lovely tartness.
- Incorporate finely chopped red onion or shallots for a sharper bite.