Refreshing Tabbouleh Salad with Fresh Herbs and Lemon Recipe
Tabbouleh is a fresh, vibrant Middle Eastern salad made with finely chopped parsley, mint, tomatoes, and soaked bulgur wheat, all tossed with lemon juice, olive oil, and a touch of onion. This refreshing dish is perfect as a light appetizer or side and is known for its bright, herby flavors and healthy ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Grains and Liquids
- ¼ cup fine bulgur wheat
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Herbs and Vegetables
- 3 bunches fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
- 1 bunch fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- 1–2 medium firm tomatoes, chopped
- ½ cup yellow onion, finely chopped
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Soak Bulgur: Rinse the bulgur wheat thoroughly and soak it in the freshly squeezed lemon juice in a large bowl. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. The bulgur will absorb the lemon juice and swell, doubling in size.
- Chop Herbs and Vegetables: Finely chop the fresh parsley leaves, mint leaves, yellow onion, and tomatoes. The smaller they are chopped, the better the texture of your tabbouleh.
- Combine Ingredients: In the large bowl with the soaked bulgur, add the chopped parsley, mint, onion, and tomatoes. Mix the ingredients gently but thoroughly to combine evenly.
- Add Dressing and Season: Pour in the extra virgin olive oil and season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss everything well so that the salad is evenly coated.
- Taste and Adjust: Sample the tabbouleh and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more lemon juice, olive oil, or salt to ensure the salad remains moist and flavorful rather than dry.
- Chill to Meld Flavors: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This rest period allows the flavors to blend and the bulgur to soften further.
- Serve: Before serving, give the tabbouleh a fresh stir. Serve chilled in bowls or over crisp romaine lettuce leaves for an authentic presentation.
Notes
- Use firm, ripe tomatoes for the best texture and flavor.
- Fine bulgur is preferred as it soaks quickly and softens well without cooking.
- Fresh lemon juice is essential for brightness; bottled lemon juice will affect flavor.
- Make sure to finely chop the herbs and vegetables for the best consistency.
- Tabbouleh tastes best when allowed to sit refrigerated for at least 30 minutes, but it can be made up to a few hours ahead.
Keywords: Tabbouleh, Middle Eastern salad, bulgur salad, parsley salad, mint, healthy salad, vegetarian side dish
