Tabbouleh Salad Recipe with Freekeh and Feta Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2024)

FAQs

What is a tabouli salad traditionally made from? ›

Tabbouleh (Arabic: تبولة, romanized: tabbūla), also transcribed tabouleh, tabbouli, tabouli, or taboulah, is a Levantine salad made mostly of finely chopped parsley, with tomatoes, mint, onion, soaked uncooked bulgur, and seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and sweet pepper.

Pre-salting the tomatoes and parsley removes excess liquid through osmosis, preventing the salad from becoming soupy later. Tomato water is re-infused into the salad by using it to soak the bulgur, enhancing the flavor. Soaking the bulgur in heated tomato water ensures it will soften, regardless of its grind size.

Tabbouleh is a healthy, vegetarian food that has no cholesterol, is low in fat, and high in fiber, vitamins, and much more. Plus, it makes great use of the backyard gardener's abundance of parsley, mint, tomatoes and cucumbers. This vegan dish can be made gluten-free by substituting quinoa for bulgur wheat.

Because of its ingredients, tabouli will last in the refrigerator for up to four days, so make sure you eat it before then.

Tabbouleh is basically parsley salad. There's technically no lettuce in it. It's a salad made up of parsley, tomatoes, bulgur wheat, and green onions – all finely chopped and tossed with olive oil and lemon juice!

While the classic tabbouleh recipe includes bulgur wheat, alternative versions can be made without it, using substitutes like quinoa, couscous, or even omitting the grain entirely. These variations allow for dietary restrictions or personal preferences while still maintaining the essence of the dish.

The most likely sources of bitterness in a tabbouleh are parsley and olive oil. The parsley should be finely chopped to avoid bitter flavours.

Digestive Benefits: Tabouleh is packed with ingredients that promote digestion and gut health. Parsley, the star herb in this salad, is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, aiding in digestion and supporting detoxification processes.

Tabouli is a great side that I could eat every day. I love the textures from the bulgar wheat and chopped vegetables. The flavors are bold from the fresh herbs and lemony dressing.

What is a fun fact about tabbouleh? ›

Tabouli, also known as Tabbouleh, is a vegan salad that originated in Lebanon and Syria, quickly becoming a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine. And as a fun fact, Tabbouleh is so well loved in Lebanon that they even have an entire day dedicated to celebrate it.

Looking for a fresh, easy meal to help boost your metabolism? This delicious tabbouleh is packed full of healthy vegetables and is ideal for an office lunch or lighter evening meal. We'll explain how to make it and show you how each ingredient can help you on your weight loss journey.

Recipes like our Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cauliflower "Rice" Tabbouleh and Roasted Salmon with Smoky Chickpeas & Greens are low in sodium and saturated fat, which is great for healthier blood pressure.

Fresh mint, parsley, olive oil and lemon juice brighten this Middle Eastern dish.

Bulgur wheat – If you're not familiar with it, bulgur is simply cracked wheat that's been partially cooked and then dried. Traditional tabbouleh would be made with fine bulgur, but because I have trouble finding it in grocery stores where I live, I typically prepare the salad with coarse bulgur.

According to Wikipedia, tabbouleh is a salad of Arab origin and is "traditionally made of bulgur, tomato, and finely chopped parsley and mint, often including onion and garlic, seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice and salt."

An essential part of the Lebanese table, the word tabbouleh is derived from the Arabic word tabbil, meaning to season. And seasoned it is, with olive oil, salt and lemon.

My traditional Lebanese Salad (salata) is a crisp salad of romaine, cucumbers, onion, and tomato with a garlicky, lemony vinaigrette. Mouthwatering! We eat this one almost every day.