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Lebanese Fattoush Salad is a refreshing and colorful dish that combines an array of crispy fresh veggies and herbs with a zesty Mediterranean dressing in a large mixing bowl. The salad is garnished with toasted or fried pieces of pita bread, which adds crunch and texture to the recipe. Quick and easy to make, this Fattoush Salad recipe makes a great appetizer or side dish.
What is Fattoush Salad?
Fattoush is a traditional Mediterranean Salad that features well-seasoned fried pita bread, fresh veggies, and a tangy dressing. It’s a staple in Lebanese cuisine and popular throughout the Middle East, mostly served as a refreshing side dish or appetizer and is often paired with grilled meats or enjoyed on its own as a light and healthy meal.
Fattoush Salad incorporates crispy pita bread, which is the star of the recipe, adding a delightful crunch and unique flavor to the dish. The name “Fattoush” comes from the Arabic word “fattah,” which means crumbs. The dressing is a simple lemon and olive oil mix seasoned with sumac and pomegranate molasses for sweetness, giving it its distinctive flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright and Flavorful: Bursting with fresh vegetables, fragrant herbs, and tangy dressing, it’s a feast for the senses.
- Customizable: Easily adaptable to suit personal tastes and dietary preferences, with endless variations to explore.
- Versatility: Perfect for an occasion and pairs well with any food as an appetizer or side dish.
Fattoush Salad Ingredients
The Salad Base:
- Romaine Lettuce: Provides a crisp and refreshing base for the salad.
- Cucumber: Adds a cool and crunchy texture.
- Carrots: Adds color and crunch texture. You can grate it if you like.
- Tomatoes: Juicy and sweet, they bring brightness to the salad. Use vine or cherry tomatoes.
- Red Cabbage: Adds a sharp bite and a pop of color.
- Green Onions: Add flavor to the salad.
- Radishes: Provide a peppery flavor and vibrant color.
- Fresh Mint and Parsley: Infuse the salad with aromatic freshness.
- Pita Bread: Adds crunch and texture when toasted into chips.
Fattoush Salad Dressing:
- Sumac: A tangy spice that adds a distinctive flavor to the dressing.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Provides richness and depth to the dressing.
- Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and acidity to balance the flavors.
- Salt: to taste.
- Garlic (optional): Enhances the dressing with a savory depth of flavor.
- Pomegranate Molasses (optional): Gives a sweet flavor to the salad.
How To Make Fattoush Salad
Making Fattoush salad is simple and straightforward. Here are the bacis steps to guide you through the process.
Step 1: Prepare the pita bread: Cut the pita bread into squares and either fry them with some cooking oil, or bake it in the oven with some olive oil until nice and golden in color then set it aside.
Step 2: Chop the veggies: Wash and dry the veggies really well. Chop all the salad ingredients and pace them in a large mixing bowl. Toss gently to mix everything together.
Step 3: Prepare the fattoush salad dressing: In a separate bowl or cup, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, sumac, salt, and minced garlic (if using) to make the dressing.
Step 4: Assemble. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients with the dressing and toss to coat well.
Step 5: Add the pita: Add the toasted or fried pita bread pieces to the salad and toss again to combine. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Step 6: Serve the Fattoush salad immediately, garnish with extra mint leaves or drizzles pomegranate molasses if desired.
Tips for Making Fattoush Recipe
- Serve Immediately: Serve the salad immediately after tossing to prevent the pita bread from becoming soggy. I recommend keeping the pita separate until serving to maintain its crispiness.
- Get Creative: For extra flavor, you can add additional ingredients such as diced bell peppers, chopped onions, or pomegranate seeds.
- Fresh ingredients: Only use fresh and flavorful veggies to keep the crunch of the veggies. Never use bottled lemon juice for this recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the salad ingredients and dressing separately and assemble them just before serving to maintain the crispness of the vegetables and pita bread.
Yes, you can use store-bought pita chips if you’re short on time, but homemade pita bread adds a fresh flavor to the salad.
Summac is an essential ingredient for this salad. But if you can’t find sumac, you can substitute it with a mixture of lemon zest and a pinch of paprika and a pinch of citric acid for a similar tangy flavor.
You can store them in a jar, air tight container or zip lock bag to maintain it’s freshness.
What to Serve with Fattoush Salad?
Fattoush Salad is served as a refreshing side dish or appetizer and is often paired with grilled meats or enjoyed on its own as a light and healthy meal. Here are a few suggestions to serve fattoush with.
- Oven Chicken Skewers
- Harissa Chicken Tray Bake
- Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
- Mediterranean Lamp Chops
- Grilled Beef Kafta
- Charcoal Grilled Chicken
More Lebanese Recipes
- Lebanese Chicken Lentil Soup
- Lebanese Tabbouli Salad
- Lebanese Vermicelli Rice
- Lebanese Toum (Garlic Sauce)
Lebanese Fattoush Salad is a celebration of flavors, textures, and freshness. Whether you’re enjoying it as a light lunch or a side dish, this salad recipe is sure to please any tastebud! It’s a refreshing and colorful dish that’s bursting with fresh flavors!
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Lebanese Fattoush Salad
Ingredients
- 1 loaf pita bread, cut into cubes (either fry or bake)
- 1 medium romaine lettuce, (5-6 cups after cutting)
- 1½ cup cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup radish, sliced
- 3 medium vine ripe tomatoes, medium diced
- ½ cup green onions, chopped
- ½ cup parsley, chopped
- ⅓ cup mint, chopped
- ½ cup carrots, sliced or shredded
- ½ cup red cabbage, shredded
For the dressing
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 tsp summac
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- ½ tsp salt , to taste
- 2 tbsps pomegranate molasses, optional but recommended
- 1 small garlic clove, optional
Instructions
- Cut the pita bread into squares and either fry them with some cooking oil, or bake it in the oven with some olive oil until nice and golden in color then set it aside.
- Wash and dry the veggies really well. Chop all the salad ingredients and pace them in a large mixing bowl. Toss gently to mix everything together.
- In a separate bowl or cup, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, sumac, salt, and minced garlic (if using) to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients with the dressing and toss to coat well.
- Add the toasted or fried pita bread pieces to the salad and toss again to combine. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve the Fattoush salad immediately, garnish with extra mint leaves or drizzles pomegranate molasses if desired.
Notes
- Serve Immediately: Serve the salad immediately after tossing to prevent the pita bread from becoming soggy. I recommend keeping the pita separate until serving to maintain its crispiness.
- Get Creative: For extra flavor, you can add additional ingredients such as diced bell peppers, chopped onions, or pomegranate seeds.
- Fresh ingredients: Only use fresh and flavorful veggies to keep the crunch of the veggies. Never use bottled lemon juice for this recipe.
