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.
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!
FAQ
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…
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.
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.
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.
Recipe Video
Fattoush Salad
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
- For a vegan version of this vegetarian salad, use pomegranate molasses instead of honey.
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.
I agree completely, Karen. Sumac is a truly special ingredient - nothing like it!
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!
Thanks so much, Kelly!
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
haha! You're on to me, Dawn. I DO love a good salad. 😉 Hope you're having a great week too!
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!!
Thanks, Katherine! The toasted pita bites definitely add that extra oomph! 😉
Next time I'm at Penzey's, I'll pick up some sumac! Perfect for lunch---especially as the weather warms up!!
Thanks, Liz! I think you'll love it!
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!
haha...yes, skip the 'poison sumac' 😉 So excited about warmer days and ALL the salads! 🙂
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!
aww, thank you, Valentina! I'm the same way - love bread and fresh herbs in salads!
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. 🙂
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!
I have a thing for bread salads too Marissa! This one looks delicious!
Thank you, Mary Ann!
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
I'd love to deliver a nice big bowl just for you! 😉 Thanks, my friend!!
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! 🙂
Thank you, David!
I'd love to be in salad weather right now! We love this salad during summer-it's so fresh and crunchy! 😀
oh yes, I'm taunting you with this in the middle of your winter! 😉 Thanks, Lorraine!
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!
Yay! Thanks, Kelsie!
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! 🙂
haha! I love how you think, Dorothy!