Lebanese Tabbouleh Salad (Printer-friendly)

A bright salad of parsley, bulgur, tomatoes, cucumber, dressed with lemon and olive oil for a fresh flavor.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Grains

01 - 1/2 cup fine bulgur wheat
02 - 3/4 cup boiling water

→ Herbs & Greens

03 - 2 large bunches flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (about 2 cups packed)
04 - 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
05 - 2 spring onions, finely sliced

→ Vegetables

06 - 3 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced
07 - 1/2 medium cucumber, diced

→ Dressing

08 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
10 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place bulgur in a small bowl and pour boiling water over it. Cover and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes until tender. Drain excess water and fluff with a fork.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped parsley, mint, spring onions, tomatoes, and cucumber.
03 - Add the soaked and fluffed bulgur to the bowl with the herbs and vegetables.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
05 - Pour the dressing over the bulgur and vegetable mixture and toss gently to combine.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's light and energizing without making you feel like you're being virtuous about it.
  • The lemon-herb combination hits in a way that makes your taste buds wake up.
  • Ready in 20 minutes, which feels impossible for something this good.
02 -
  • Seed your tomatoes or the whole thing becomes a watery mess—I learned this the difficult way and now it's non-negotiable.
  • Don't add the dressing more than an hour or two before serving, or the bulgur absorbs it all and becomes dense instead of light.
03 -
  • Invest in good quality parsley and lemon—these two ingredients are tasted directly, so their quality shapes the whole dish.
  • A squeeze of extra lemon right before serving, even after tasting, often finishes it perfectly because the other flavors can dull the brightness if you're not watching.
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