Tips to make the best Taboule Salad

Use a sharp knife Chopping the parsley and Mint with a sharp knife makes all the difference as it avoids bruising the leaves. I would not recommend using a food processor for the same reason. Super Fine Bulgur Use the finest bulgur you can find.  It takes on flavour more readily and incorporated into the salad easier. Tomatoes Use ripe firm Large tomatoes. Deseed them first so they don’t release too much juice. You can substitute with chewy or baby plum tomatoes. Cover and refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes before serving  This allows the flavours to mingle meaning you get a better tasting salad. Make Ahead  Cook the bulgur up to 3 days in advanced store in the fridge. More instructions below. Taste and adjust as you go There is a ton of Parsley in this salad and it needs a lot of Lemon and Salt to balance things out. I have had some great Taboule salads and some not so good and really bland ones. The key to making it the best is to taste and adjust as you go. Salt the tomato and cucumber in a colander set over a bowl This will drain any excess juice. I rarely do this because I deseed the veg anyway. If you do this, chop the cucumber and tomato first, add the salt and set aside.

Popular Variations

• You can add other crunchy vegetables -  Cucumber is not traditionally added in this salad. You can add it as well as other crunchy vegetables such as red  pepper or green bell peppers.
• Make it gluten free - Use Quinoa in place of Bulgur.
• Make french taboulé - Instead of bulgur, use Cous COus and soak it in Vegetable or Chicken Stock. Soak 2 tbsp of raisins and add them to the salad and finally, reduce the Mint. 
• Add Chickpeas - To make this recipe more filling, stir in chickpeas. It ups the protein count and makes this salad more substantial.
• Add Feta Cheese - For a salty tang that works really well with fresh salads, like in this greek salad recipe.
• Add Middle Eastern Spice Mixes - Such as Dukkah, Baharat (Lebanese 7 Spice mix), Sumac or Zaatar.
• You can add a drizzle of Pomegranate Molasses to the dressing.

How do you serve it

This recipe reminds me of Shirazi salad. It is delicious served with Pita Bread and makes the perfect side dish. Here are some other suggestions: This salad is best served at room temperature.

• You can serve it on a bed of lettuce leaves and use the leaves to scoop it up.
• It is more often served alongside grilled meat or protein rich dishes such as Shish Tawook, Indian Kebabs, Chicken Doner.
• It is served as a starter/appetizer or side. 
• Serve it with a sprinkling of sumac or dukkah. 
• You can also serve it as part of a Mezze alongside Hummus, Beet Salad (recipe coming!), Muhammara, Baba Ganoush, Falafel, Dolma, Fattoush, Mujaddara (recipe coming!)

FAQS

How to store Taboule?

Place it in an airtight container and pop into the fridge. Or cover the bowl with Cling Film/Plastic Wrap and place in the fridge. It is best to eat it on the day or the day after it is made but it does keep well for 3 days.   I don’t recommend storing it any longer as it will turn soggy. 

Can Taboule be made ahead of time?

If you do wish to make ahead, you can chop the Vegetables, make the Dressing and make the Bulgur up to 3 days in advance. Make sure you store everything separately!

Is Taboule a healthy snack?

Yes it is. I often keep some ready in the fridge to dip into. It is nutrient dense and packed full of healthy veg. It is great as part of a controlled calorie diet. It is a good source of Fibre, good for digestion and Bulgur is also a known super food. Full nutrition info can be found below.

Can you eat Taboule on it’s own?

Yes you can. It is a super healthy salad and if you don’t mind not having it as a side, you can east it for lunch.

What does Taboule taste like?

The flavour of Taboule varies. That is why a crucial part of this recipe is to taste and adjust as you go. Some people prefer more lemon,   Some make it with added sugar, some like to add more Parsley. I have had many different recipes over the years and this one is my favourite. 

Can I use flat-leaf parsley instead of curly parsley in Taboule?

Yes you can but Curly Leaf parsley is more authentic, tastes better and has more volume.

Is Taboule grain free?

No authentic tabbouleh has Bulgur in it which contains Wheat. You can replace this with Quinoa for a grain free salad.

Is Taboule Vegan? 

Yes it is!

Where does Taboule come from?

It originated in Lebanon but is enjoyed all over the Middle East. 

Is Taboule eaten hot or cold? 

Like most salads, Taboule is always eaten cold.