How to Make the Perfect Simple Tabbouleh Salad
Middle Eastern · Easy · 30 min · 4 servings
This simple tabbouleh salad is a kid friendly recipe packed with fresh herbs and tiny pasta-like bulgur that kids find fun to eat. It is bright, lemony and perfect as a healthy lunchbox addition.
Why this recipe works
This Simple Tabbouleh Salad recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 30 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 160 calories with 5g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 cup fine bulgur wheat
- 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
- 2 medium ripe tomatoes diced small
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 stalks green onions sliced thin
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Cook the Bulgur
Pour boiling water over bulgur in a bowl using a 1 to 1 ratio. Cover and let sit for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork and let cool completely.
Step 2: Chop the Vegetables
Finely chop parsley and dice tomatoes into small pieces. Slice green onions thin. The smaller the chop the better the salad tastes.
Step 3: Mix the Dressing
Whisk together fresh lemon juice, olive oil and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until combined and slightly emulsified.
Step 4: Combine and Chill
Toss cooled bulgur with parsley, tomatoes and green onions. Pour dressing over and mix well. Refrigerate for 15 minutes before serving.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- bulgur wheat → couscous or quinoa for a gluten-free version
- fresh parsley → a mix of parsley and mint for a more traditional flavor
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Using hot bulgur before it has cooled which wilts the parsley and makes the salad soggy
- Adding too much bulgur which throws off the herb-to-grain ratio that makes tabbouleh special
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 160 calories, 5g protein, 24g carbs, 6g fat, 4g fiber.
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