Easy and authentic Tabouli Salad Recipe (Tabbouleh)
This easy Tabouli salad recipe is one of my favourite salads, especially in Summer when the tomatoes are ripe and juicy. Paired with the freshness of cucumbers, the herbs and the zesty dressing, it all marries together perfectly.
A classic Middle Eastern dish also known as tabbouleh is a favourite side on most Middle Eastern inspired menus. It’s paired perfectly with falafels, hummus, baba ganoush and koftas.
Im seriously getting hungry now!
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My Nonna, believe it or not actually taught me how to make the best tabouli. She was Borne in Modena in Italy but her father was from North Africa. He spoke Italian, Arabic and Maltese. So my Nonna’s cooking is inspired by Italy, Morocco and the Middle East. pretty cool right!
Whenever there is a party or a BBQ and she asks how she can help I always say “tabouli”
Now I can finally say Iv’e learned to master the best tabouli too!
What is Tabouli
Tabouli (also known as Tabbouleh) is a really fresh Mediterranean salad from the Middle East. Tabouli is made by combining Bulgur (Bourghal) a grain made from dried, cracked wheat together with fresh herbs, tomato and cucumber.
It’s then paired with a zesty, olive oil based dressing to finish it all off.
What is in this Tabouli Salad recipe
There are different variations of Tabouli salad. However you will find the star of the dish is always the fresh parsley. Here is a list of ingredients that I use in my Tabouli salad recipe:
- Bulgur; Its a staple in middle eastern cooking and can be found in most supermarkets or your local health food store. If you buy the coarse bulgur it will need to be cooked first. The fine bulgur only needs to be soaked. For a gluten free option you could substitute with quinoa.
- Tomato & Cucumber; I have always made tabouli using both these ingredients but some traditional tabouli recipes do not have cucumber. I love the freshness the cucumber brings but Its totally up to you.
- Fresh herbs; parsley is the star of the show but I also use mint. It cuts through the parsley and gives another level of freshness to the salad.
- Spring onions; Its mild in flavour so its great for tabouli as you don’t want it to be overpowering.
- Olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and white wine vinegar; These ingredients form your dressing. I add a small clove of crushed garlic and a splash of white wine vinegar. I find it makes this recipe even more delicious.
How to put it all together
The recipe has 4 really easy steps
1/ First you start by soaking the bulgur in water for around 7 minutes until softened and then drain well in a fine mesh strainer and set aside.
2/ while the bulgur is soaking, finely chop your fresh herbs, dice your tomato and cucumber and slice your spring onion
3/ Shake up all your ingredients for the dressing in a salad shaker or jar
4/ In a serving bowl add the bulgur, your chopped herbs and veggies. pour over the dressing and mix well to combine.
What do you serve Tabouli with?
Tabouli salad is super fresh, healthy and delicious all on Its own. Its so good though that your going to want to eat it with everything! Here are some of the ways I serve Tabouli
- I love a bowl of Tabouli salad with a big dollop of freshly made tzatziki or hummus
- Its delicious in Pita wraps with hummus as a healthy lunch
- For something more substantial it goes so well with crispy falafels or koftas too
- Perfect as a side to grilled meats or fish
- As part of a middle eastern feast with lamb Kofte and hummus
- Its also great salad for BBQ’s family gatherings and parties
I really hope you enjoy this Tabouli salad recipe.
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Easy Tabouli Salad
Ingredients
- ½ cup Extra fine bulgur
- 4 Firm roma tomatoes
- 2 Cucumbers finely diced
- 1 Bunch fresh parsley stems removed, finely chopped
- 1 Small bunch fresh mint stems removed, finely chopped
- 4 Spring onions White part only, finley sliced
For the Dressing
- 4 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 Clove garlic Crushed
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- For the dressing, place all ingredients in a jar with a screw top lid and shake until combined. set aside
- Rinse the bulgur and soak in water for 7 minutes or until softened. Drain well and squeeze the bulgur wheat by hand or leave in a collander for a few minutes to get rid of any excess water. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, very finely chop the tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs and whites of the spring onions.
- Place the chopped vegetables, herbs and spring onions in a serving dish. Add the dressing, salt and pepper and mix well to combine.
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