Skip to content

Lebanese Tabouleh

📍 Líbano
⏱️Prep: 20 min
Total: 20 min
🍽️4 servings
Difficulty: Easy

Tabbouleh is the most refreshing salad in Lebanese mezze: fine bulgur soaked until tender and mixed with large quantities of chopped flat-leaf parsley, tomato, spring onion, mint, lemon juice and olive oil. It is really a herb salad with a little grain — the bulgur plays a supporting role. Light, bright and aromatic.

🛒 Ingredients

4 servings
  • 60g fine bulgur
  • 200g fresh parsley chopped
  • 3 small ripe tomatoes
  • 1 small onion
  • 3 scallions
  • 30g fresh mint
  • 3 lemons (juice)
  • 4 cda virgin olive oil
  • salt 

👨‍🍳 Step-by-step instructions

  1. Soak the bulgur for 15 minutes in warm water, drain.

  2. Chop the parsley and mint very finely.

  3. Cut the tomatoes and onion into small dice.

  4. Mix all the ingredients with drained bulgur.

  5. Season with lemon, oil, and salt.

  6. Let it rest for 30 minutes in the cold so the flavors can be absorbed.

💡 Chef's tip

The bulgur should be fine (not whole wheat). Parsley must be knife-chopped, not blended — a processor releases too much liquid. Drain the tomato over a sieve for 10 minutes before adding it.

📝 Our take

Real Lebanese tabuleh has far more parsley than bulgur — contrary to what most restaurants outside Lebanon serve. The bulgur is almost a condiment, a minimal base to bind the whole thing. Knife-chopped parsley (never a processor), well-drained tomato and fresh mint are the real protagonists. A generous pour of olive oil and lemon at the end.

🍷 Wine & food pairing

Ice water with lemon or cold black tea. In a Lebanese mezze it accompanies hummus, falafel and pita. For wine, a fresh Sauvignon Blanc or a Lebanese white from Merwah grapes.

⭐ Have you tried this recipe?

Select a rating

🍳 Did it turn out well? Share it in the chat!
Share your version, tips or questions with the cooking community.
Enter chat →