Middle Eastern · Healthy

Tabbouleh

A Lebanese tabbouleh is a parsley salad with a little bulgur in it, not the other way round. Chopped by hand, dressed at the last minute, and startlingly fresh.

4.7(1,688)Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 1688 reviews 25 min total Serves 6 servings Easy
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Tabbouleh — middle eastern healthy recipe, served and ready to eat

Method

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  1. Rinse the fine bulgur, then put it in a bowl with the diced tomatoes and their juices and half the lemon juice. Leave to soak for 20 minutes — no cooking required.

  2. Wash the parsley and dry it completely in a salad spinner and then on a tea towel. Wet herbs make watery tabbouleh.

  3. Strip the leaves from the thick stalks, gather them into a tight bundle, and chop very finely with a sharp knife. Never use a food processor.

  4. Chop the mint leaves the same way, at the last moment so they do not blacken.

  5. Combine the herbs with the soaked bulgur and tomato mixture and the spring onions.

  6. Dress with the olive oil, remaining lemon juice, salt, allspice and pepper, and toss gently with your hands.

  7. Taste and adjust — it should be sharp and green. Serve immediately with lettuce leaves for scooping.

Chef’s Tips

  • The ratio is the recipe: it should look overwhelmingly green, with the bulgur barely visible.
  • Dress only when you are ready to eat; salt draws water out of the parsley within minutes.
  • A sharp knife is essential — a dull one bruises the leaves and turns them black.

Pairing Suggestions

  • Arak, or a cold Lebanese white
  • Serve as part of a mezze with hummus and kibbeh
  • Excellent alongside grilled meat

Storage & Reheating

Best within an hour. Undressed components keep 1 day refrigerated separately.

Nutritional Highlights

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

212Calories
5gProtein
20gCarbs
14gFat
5gFibre
4gSugar
480mgSodium

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