Bulgur Wheat Salad Tabbouleh (Printable)

Vibrant Middle Eastern salad with bulgur wheat, fresh herbs, vegetables, and zesty lemon dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Bulgur Base

01 - 1 cup fine bulgur wheat
02 - 1 cup boiling water

→ Fresh Produce

03 - 2 medium tomatoes, diced
04 - 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
05 - 4 scallions, finely sliced
06 - 1 large bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (about 1 cup packed)
07 - 1/2 bunch fresh mint leaves, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup packed)

→ Lemon Dressing

08 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
09 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
10 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
11 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How to Make It:

01 - Place bulgur wheat in a large bowl. Pour boiling water over it, cover, and let stand for 10–15 minutes until the bulgur is tender and water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool to room temperature.
02 - Add diced tomatoes, cucumber, scallions, parsley, and mint to the cooled bulgur.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
04 - Pour the dressing over the bulgur mixture. Toss gently until well combined.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
06 - Serve cold or at room temperature as a light meal or side dish.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its the kind of salad that actually gets better after sitting in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep or picnics
  • The fresh herbs and bright lemon wake up your palate in a way heavy salads never could
02 -
  • The ratio of herbs to bulgur might seem excessive if you are used to American versions, but authentic tabbouleh is really an herb salad with some grain mixed in
  • Letting the salad rest is not optional, the bulgur needs time to soften in the dressing and the herbs need to release their aromatic oils
03 -
  • Dry your washed herbs thoroughly with a salad spinner or towels before chopping, excess water will dilute your dressing
  • Use a very sharp knife for the herbs to avoid bruising them which can make the salad taste bitter
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