This Tabbouleh salad recipe is light, refreshing and full of vibrant flavors. It’s an easy no-cook salad that tastes great all by itself or as a side.
Click Here to Pin This Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links, For more information, please see our Disclosure.
So Many Ways to Make Tabbouleh Salad
Sometimes the simplest ingredients taste the best when they are combined. That's how it is with tabbouleh salad, a few simple ingredients and you have a bowl full of flavor.
Traditional tabbouleh salad is made with bulgur wheat, parsley, mint, tomatoes, and green onions. The vegetables are chopped into small bits and mixed with the bulgur and then combined with a light garlic, lemon and olive oil dressing.
The traditional version can take a step aside, because there are so many ways make tabbouleh salad. The fresh parsley and mint add a ton of flavor, but it's fun to add different combinations of fresh herbs to make tabbouleh salad even more flavorful. Scroll down to see my herb suggestions, but you can add any herb that like, there are no rules here.
I also like to switch out the bulgur for quinoa or cauliflower rice. The quinoa version is more substantial and filling. and It is higher in protein and gluten-free.
The Ingredients
The key to perfect tabbouleh salad is to use fresh herbs and vegetables. Here is what you will need to make this recipe:
- Bulgur Wheat or Quinoa
- Fresh Parsley
- Fresh Mint
- Green Onions
- Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Lemon Juice
Recipe Steps to Make This Tabbouleh Salad Recipe
Please note that this a list of steps to give you an idea how to make this recipe. Full details are in the recipe card below.
- Prepare the bulgur wheat, quinoa or cauliflower rice
- Chop the herbs
- Chop the vegetables
- Mix up the dressing
- Combine all of the ingredients and enjoy!
Total Estimated Time to Make this Recipe: 45 to 50 minutes
Tips and Variations for Tabbouleh Salad
Tips
- The best tomato to use in this salad is plum or Roma tomato, they are thick skinned and contain less water. They are perfect for dicing into small chunks for this salad.
- This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Variations
- Change up the herbs any combination of fresh herbs works dill, cilantro,chives, tarragon, thyme or basil
- Add any of the following to the salad:
- ½ cup cooked chick peas
- ¼ to ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup kalamata olives
If you Like this Recipe, You will Love These Salads
- Cauliflower Rice Tabbouleh Salad Recipe
- Pasta Salad with Spinach and Chicken
- Loaded Chopped Salad
- Grilled Vegetable and Quinoa Salad
📖 Recipe
Click on serving size to scale this recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup bulgur wheat or ½ cup [quinoa]
- 1 ½ cups water or 1 cup for the quinoa
- 3 plum tomatoes diced
- 3 green onions sliced
- 1 to small cucumbers diced optional
- 2 cup parsley chopped
- ¾ cup mint chopped
- ⅛ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup [olive oil]
- 1 crushed garlic clove
Instructions
- Prepare the bulgur by placing it into a bowl and pour 2 cups boiling water and 1 tablespoon lemon juice over it. Cover the bowl and allow it to sit for 30 minutes until all of the liquid has been absorbed. OR Prepare the quinoa by placing it into a pan with the 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and cover. Bring the quinoa to a boil and reduce the heat to low and allow it to cook for about 20 minutes until all of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Dice the tomatoes, cucumbers and slice the onions - place them into a bowl
- Chop the fresh herbs and add to the bowl with the vegetables
- Mix up the dressing
- Once the bulgur or quinoa is ready pour it into the bowl with the vegetables and stir in the dressing.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
Kelly says
I can always use another salad recipe in my line up. This looks like a perfect addition!
Kailey says
I love how fresh this salad is! This is going to become a weekly meal for me!
Tessa Simpson says
quinoa is a great alternative to keep this gluten free! Why didn't I think of that?!
Joni Gomes says
What a great and nutritious salad recipe! Will try this with quinoa but need to get some bulgur wheat as well!
Hope says
This would make a great side dish, love the idea of using quinoa to keep it gluten free!
STACEY CRAWFORD says
I'm going to try it with cauliflower rice! Thank you for all the gluten free options.
Annemarie says
This looks so refreshing! I'm going to try it with quinoa.
Yang says
This is the exact recipe I use to make a salad with quinoa. I will love to try with burgur wheat next!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
Great idea to use quinoa in this salad! It looks so fresh, bright, and flavorful!