Pinch and Swirl

· 25 Comments

Tabouli Salad

Filed Under: Fall & Winter, Main Course, Main Course Salads, Mediterranean Recipes, Salad, Spring & Summer, Vegetarian Recipes

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tabouli salad served in a large shallow white bowl

Tabouli salad is easy to make and absolutely delicious! From crisp cucumber, sweet tomatoes, briny olives and bright parsley, every bite is a little different. It’s a classic Levantine dish (also spelled tabbouleh, tabouleh and taboulah), a vegetarian salad that is loaded with flavor and texture. Bulgur wheat makes the salad hearty enough to make it a main dish and I love to add salty creamy feta to make the salad even better. 

Tabouli salad is a classic Levantine dish (also spelled tabbouleh and tabouleh), a vegetarian salad that is loaded with flavor and texture. From crisp cucumber, sweet tomatoes, briny olives and bright parsley, every bite is a little different. Bulgur wheat makes the salad hearty enough to make it a main dish and I love to add salty creamy feta to make the salad even better.

Bulgur is a quick-cooking, versatile grain that is very forgiving (like the quinoa in this Kale and Quinoa Salad). You can make it a day ahead, refrigerate it, and when you take it out the next day and fluff it with a fork, it will still be light and delicious. I use it as a base for a variety of salads or make it alone with a swirl of olive oil and a pinch of salt as a simple side dish.

Tabouli salad is a classic Levantine dish (also spelled tabbouleh and tabouleh), a vegetarian salad that is loaded with flavor and texture. From crisp cucumber, sweet tomatoes, briny olives and bright parsley, every bite is a little different. Bulgur wheat makes the salad hearty enough to make it a main dish and I love to add salty creamy feta to make the salad even better.

Often Tabouli salad doesn’t include cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and cheese, but it’s my favorite way to serve it. Give it a try! I’d love to hear what you think.

For a feast, I love serve this with Grilled Shrimp or Grilled Lamb Chops (or Roasted Lamb Chops in the fall and winter) and some of my other favorite Mediterranean recipes like this pita bread recipe served with Tzatziki and White Bean Hummus!

Tabouli Salad served in a white bowl
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Tabouli Salad with Cucumber, Tomato, Feta, and Olives

I like to mince the scallions, parsley, and mint in the food processor – just turn the processor on and add through the shoot. They’ll be perfectly minced in about 5 seconds. 
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time30 mins
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 315kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups boiling water or broth
  • 1 cup dry bulgur
  • 1 teaspoon salt omit if you are using broth
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice about 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 3 scallions finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup minced fresh flat leaf parsley
  • a dozen or so fresh mint leaves minced
  • 1 large tomato coarsely chopped
  • 1 cucumber peeled if you like and cut in 1/2-inch cubes
  • 2-3 ounces crumbled feta my favorite is Valbreso sheep’s milk feta
  • 12 Greek or kalamata olives pitted and halved

Instructions

  • Bring water to boil, add dry bulgur to boiling water or broth, stir. Turn heat off, leaving the pan in place; cover and let stand 25 minutes.
  • Fluff bulgur with a fork and then allow to cool to room temperature.
  • Once the bulgur is cool, add salt, lemon juice, and garlic. Stir to combine; cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
  • About 1/2 hour before you plan to serve this salad, remove the bulgur mixture from the fridge and toss with a fork to lighten and separate. Add remaining ingredients and stir gently to combine. Taste for seasoning – add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 945mg | Potassium: 384mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 22.8% | Vitamin C: 22.4% | Calcium: 12.2% | Iron: 10.7%
Tried this recipe?I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.
tabouli salad served in a large shallow white bowl

About Marissa

The best food happens at home. I love delicious food prepared simply with fresh ingredients and that’s just what you’ll find here! You can count on me for well tested, easy, mouthwatering recipes designed for home cooks.

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Comments

  1. Kevin | Keviniscooking says

    April 27, 2017 at 9:33 pm

    LOVE salads like this one and with chickpeas or chicken it’s a full meal! Beautiful and healthy. Summer approaches and this is a good one to make again and again.
    We’re hiking the parks here in Utah and I finally had a chance to catch up on reading my favorite food blogs as everyone went to bed early tonight! This would be great to make for the crowd!

    Reply

    • Marissa says

      May 1, 2017 at 11:09 am

      I loved following you and David around Utah in your beautiful pictures! What an amazing place and adventure!! Thanks for your kind words, too Kevin. What a complement that you’d count me among your favorite blogs. I feel the very same about yours.

      Reply

  3. Julia Mueller says

    April 20, 2017 at 7:36 am

    Gaaaah this is so gorgeous! Tabouli is such a perfect side dish (slash meal in and of itself), and you’ve reminded me I need to make it more often. This is such a beautiful go-to!

    Reply

  4. Ben Maclain says

    April 19, 2017 at 8:04 pm


    This is one of my favorite salads. That’s amazing how just a few simple ingredients like vegetables, herbs, and bulgur can make such a hearthy, earthy, and scrumptious meal. And I do love the addition of feta too – good touch!

    Reply

  7. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    April 17, 2017 at 6:40 pm

    What a fresh and delicious salad, Marissa! Love the additions in there – so much extra flavour and oomph! I know hubby would devour this one too. I’d make a big batch and eat for lunch throughout the week. And so perfect for those (hopefully soon) summer bbqs. Pinned! Cheers to a great week!

    Reply

  9. Dorothy Dunton says

    April 17, 2017 at 7:08 am

    Hi Marissa. Perfect for the upcoming warm days. What an explosion of flavors. I would be very happy with a plate of this as my dinner.

    Reply

  10. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    April 17, 2017 at 6:40 am


    I LOVE tabouli salads and yours looks just fabulous, Marissa! SO colorful and delicious!! I love that you really jam packed this one with all they yummies! I mean, if adding cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and cheese is wrong, then I don’t want you to be right! 😉 This is so perfect for spring and summer! You can bet I’ll be adding this to our menu!! Pinned! Cheers, dear!

    Reply

  12. David @ Spiced says

    April 17, 2017 at 4:31 am

    This tabouli salad looks gorgeous, Marissa! I love using bulgur in a salad base…especially summer salads. And as far as I’m concerned, you can just load that bad boy up with feta cheese! Feta is such an underappreciated cheese, and I love adding it to salads and pasta salads. I need this one on my picnic menu soon! 🙂

    Reply

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