Tabbouleh
Tabbouleh is a bright, refreshing herb salad with a lively balance of lemon, olive oil, juicy tomato, and cooling mint. This version is light, fresh, and true to the Lebanese style, where parsley takes center stage and bulgur adds just a subtle nutty bite.
Ingredients
Salad
- 30 gfine bulgur
- 60 mlboiling water
- 120 gflat-leaf parsley, very finely chopped
- 15 gfresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- 160 gtomatoes, deseeded and finely diced
- 40 gspring onions, very finely sliced
Lemon dressing
- 30 mllemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 30 mlextra-virgin olive oil
- 3 gfine salt
Instructions
- 1
Place the fine bulgur in a small bowl and pour over the boiling water. Stir once, then leave it to soak for 10 minutes until tender and the water is absorbed. If any excess water remains, squeeze the bulgur lightly or drain well so the salad stays fluffy, not wet.
- 2
While the bulgur soaks, prepare the herbs and vegetables: very finely chop the parsley and mint, deseed and finely dice the tomatoes, and thinly slice the spring onions. Fine chopping is important here; it gives tabbouleh its light, delicate texture rather than a chunky salad.
- 3
In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, and salt until slightly thickened. A well-emulsified dressing coats the herbs more evenly.
- 4
Fluff the soaked bulgur with a fork, then add it to the dressing along with the parsley, mint, tomatoes, and spring onions. Toss thoroughly so the bulgur separates and the herbs are evenly dressed.
- 5
Taste and adjust with a little more salt or lemon if needed, then serve immediately for the freshest flavor. If you have a few extra minutes, letting it sit briefly helps the bulgur absorb the dressing.
Nutrition per serving
Notes
- •Authentic Lebanese tabbouleh is herb-forward: parsley should dominate, while bulgur is a small supporting ingredient.
- •Deseeding the tomatoes helps prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- •Use fine bulgur only; coarse bulgur will not soften properly in this short soaking method.
- •Serve with lettuce leaves, pita, or alongside grilled vegetables and mezze.
Background
Tabbouleh is a classic Levantine salad strongly associated with Lebanon, where it is a staple of mezze. Its defining character is an abundance of fresh parsley dressed with lemon and olive oil, with bulgur used sparingly rather than as the main bulk.
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