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    Recipes » Salad Recipes » Mediterranean Salads

    Fattoush Salad

    Published: Apr 12, 2019 · Modified: Aug 11, 2020 by Marissa Stevens · 28 Comments

    VegetarianQuick Meals

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    Fattoush salad served in a gray ceramic bowl photographed from above

    Fattoush is a Lebanese salad of crisp lettuce, crunchy vegetables, toasted bites of pita bread and a tangy sumac dressing! A perfect way to use leftover pita bread, this fattoush salad recipe comes together in minutes and is hearty enough to be a meal on its own.

    Lebanese Fattoush Salad served in a ceramic bowl

    You may have noticed that I have a thing for bread salads, like this Caesar Salad with a giant crouton, this reinvention of a muffuletta sandwich as a salad or this cornbread salad. So when we had leftover pita bread (made with this easy pita bread recipe) it made perfect sense to add a Mediterranean version: Fattoush!

    Jump to:
    • FAQ
    • How to make Fattoush Salad:
    • Recipe Video
    • Fattoush Salad
    • 💬 Comments
    Fattoush Salad served in a ceramic bowl

    FAQ

    What is fattoush salad made of?

    Fattoush salads have a nearly endless list of possible ingredients from radishes and romaine to purslane, parsley leaves, and pomegranate seeds! You can also add green onions, a sprinkle of feta or za’atar, or a handful of black or green olives. Go with what looks best at your grocery store or farmer’s market. In my mind, there are only two rules: get your torn bits of pita nicely toasted so you get that delicious crunch in every bite (you can use pita chips in a pinch), and don’t skip the sumac in your dressing – there’s no other spice quite like it! And speaking of sumac…

    What does sumac taste like?

    Sumac spice is made by grinding the berries of a sumac bush into a coarse powder and has a flavor somewhere between tangy citrus and delicately floral. You might be tempted to try a substitution if you don't keep ground sumac in your spice cabinet, but I hope you won't. It has a distinct flavor that's worth seeking out.

    How to make Fattoush Salad:

    Step 1: Toss torn pita bread in olive oil and season with salt. toast in a single layer at 350˚F on a baking sheet until crisp.

    making pita croutons step by step

    Step 2: Make dressing by whisking lemon juice, honey, garlic, sumac, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl until honey dissolves. Slowly drizzle in olive oil, whisking constantly until combined.

    making dressing step by step

    Step 3: Add lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and fresh mint leaves to a large bowl. Pour desired amount of dressing over and toss to coat. Top with toasted pita croutons and serve.

    salad ready to dress
    pouring dressing over salad
    fattoush salad ready to serve

    Recipe Video

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    Lebanese Fattoush Salad served in a ceramic bowl

    Fattoush Salad

    Marissa Stevens
    Fattoush is a Lebanese salad of crisp lettuce, crunchy vegetables, ripe tomatoes, toasted bites of pita bread, and a tangy sumac dressing! A perfect way to use leftover pita bread (ideally homemade pita bread!), this Middle Eastern salad comes together in minutes. A delicious appetizer or side and hearty enough to be a meal on its own.
    5 from 6 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Salad
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 438 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For Crispy Pita Bites

    • 2 pita breads
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • kosher salt to taste

    For Dressing:

    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice about 1 lemon
    • 1 tablespoon honey or pomegranate molasses (see recipe note)
    • 1 teaspoon sumac
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt or more
    • freshly ground black pepper to taste
    • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil

    For Salad:

    • 1 head romaine lettuce torn into bite size pieces
    • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
    • 1 English cucumber or 3 or 4 Persian cucumbers, halved and thinly sliced
    • ½ medium red onion thinly sliced and separated in to ½ circles
    • ½ cup fresh mint leaves torn into small pieces

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°F.
    • Cut pitas in half. Separate the top from the bottom and tear into bite size pieces. Transfer to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil; toss to coat. Spread on a baking sheet and season with kosher salt. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, tossing once, until pita pieces are crisp and golden brown. Remove from oven and transfer to a bowl to keep from over browning. Set aside.
    • Meanwhile, make dressing. In a small bowl combine first 6 dressing ingredients (garlic through black pepper); whisk until combined and honey has dissolved. Add olive oil in a slow but steady stream, whisking constantly until emulsified. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
    • Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss gently to combine.
    • Drizzle dressing over salad and gently toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle crispy pita bites over the top and serve!

    Notes

    1. For a vegan version of this vegetarian salad, use pomegranate molasses instead of honey.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 438kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 6gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 470mgPotassium: 831mgFiber: 5gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 14525IUVitamin C: 41.7mgCalcium: 114mgIron: 3.4mg
    Keyword easy, side salad, summer, vegetarian
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Mediterranean Salads

    • Zucchini Salad with Lemon, Feta and Pine Nuts
    • Tabouli Salad
    • Greek Potato Salad
    • Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

      April 23, 2019 at 11:15 am

      Your post reminded me that I haven't made a fattoush salad since we moved to Florida three years ago. It is funny how you can totally forget about a dish that you really enjoy. To me what I like about fattoush is the sumac...the ingredient that really makes the salad special.

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        April 23, 2019 at 12:56 pm

        I agree completely, Karen. Sumac is a truly special ingredient - nothing like it!

        Reply
    2. Kelly | Foodtasia says

      April 19, 2019 at 12:49 am

      5 stars
      Marissa, this salad looks so fresh and delicious! Love the torn pita croutons. I was so drooling over this when I saw your video on Instagram. Love it!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        April 23, 2019 at 12:56 pm

        Thanks so much, Kelly!

        Reply
    3. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

      April 16, 2019 at 4:14 am

      5 stars
      Lol...I have noticed that you have a thing for salads...though, when they look as good as the ones you make I can totally understand why!! I could eat this every single day. Looks super fresh! Pinned! Hope you're having a fab week, my friend! XO

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        April 16, 2019 at 4:01 pm

        haha! You're on to me, Dawn. I DO love a good salad. 😉 Hope you're having a great week too!

        Reply
    4. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

      April 15, 2019 at 3:49 pm

      This is a great way to use up some of that leftover pita bread! Plus, adding bread to the salad would ensure it is hearty enough for a meal. This is something I could eat for lunch every day for a week!!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        April 15, 2019 at 5:09 pm

        Thanks, Katherine! The toasted pita bites definitely add that extra oomph! 😉

        Reply
    5. Liz says

      April 15, 2019 at 6:31 am

      5 stars
      Next time I'm at Penzey's, I'll pick up some sumac! Perfect for lunch---especially as the weather warms up!!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        April 15, 2019 at 9:33 am

        Thanks, Liz! I think you'll love it!

        Reply
    6. David @ Spiced says

      April 15, 2019 at 4:52 am

      5 stars
      I still need to try this salad out! I'll have to keep an eye out for sumac. (Is it bad that my mind immediately goes to 'poison sumac' when I hear sumac?) I know it's not the same, but still! I love trying new spices, so I'll have to watch for sumac in the store around here. Plus, a good salad is hard to beat for these warmer days!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        April 15, 2019 at 9:35 am

        haha...yes, skip the 'poison sumac' 😉 So excited about warmer days and ALL the salads! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Valentina says

      April 13, 2019 at 4:08 pm

      Your salads are always so mouth-watering. I'm loving this one because I love bread in salads and the fresh mint puts it over the top!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        April 15, 2019 at 9:37 am

        aww, thank you, Valentina! I'm the same way - love bread and fresh herbs in salads!

        Reply
    8. Kevin | Keviniscooking says

      August 10, 2017 at 4:11 pm

      5 stars
      I love to just sound this recipe out loud myself.Fa - toooosh, fa - toooosh. Stil can't put my finger on what exactly calls my heart and tastebuds to the Middle East, but I love it.This looks wonderful and I'd toss in some mint and be a happy man. 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 11, 2017 at 3:49 pm

        haha, it is fun to say... All of the people who follow your blog are rewarded by that love of the Middle East, me included!

        Reply
    9. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      August 03, 2017 at 10:27 am

      I have a thing for bread salads too Marissa! This one looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 04, 2017 at 3:32 pm

        Thank you, Mary Ann!

        Reply
    10. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

      August 03, 2017 at 6:17 am

      5 stars
      Marissa, you are the bread salad QUEEN!!! Weeeell, maybe you are just the food in general queen, because I love everything you make! This fattoush salad looks AMAZING!!! I am totally craving this for lunch today... you don't happen to deliver across the US do you? 😉 Pinning to make! Cheers, dear! XOXO

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 04, 2017 at 3:32 pm

        I'd love to deliver a nice big bowl just for you! 😉 Thanks, my friend!!

        Reply
    11. David @ Spiced says

      August 03, 2017 at 4:25 am

      This salad sounds delicious, Marissa! I've heard of fattoush, but I don't think I've ever had it. It sounds a lot like the Lebanese version of a Greek panzanella. Either way, it sounds delicious! Plus, anything with feta gets my stamp of approval! 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 04, 2017 at 3:33 pm

        Thank you, David!

        Reply
    12. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

      August 02, 2017 at 8:41 pm

      I'd love to be in salad weather right now! We love this salad during summer-it's so fresh and crunchy! 😀

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 04, 2017 at 3:33 pm

        oh yes, I'm taunting you with this in the middle of your winter! 😉 Thanks, Lorraine!

        Reply
    13. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

      August 02, 2017 at 4:56 pm

      Bread salads are one of my favorite things in life! I can't think of a better way to use leftover pita :). I MUST try this soon!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 04, 2017 at 3:34 pm

        Yay! Thanks, Kelsie!

        Reply
    14. Dorothy Dunton says

      August 02, 2017 at 3:07 pm

      Hi Marissa. This salad is wonderful! In the heat of summer I crave salads, We had a Caesar salad for dinner last night, Gary doesn't like bread in salad, but I think he would enjoy the pita croutons. If not, more for me! 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 04, 2017 at 3:34 pm

        haha! I love how you think, Dorothy!

        Reply

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