What is fattoush salad made of?

Fattoush salad consists of fresh vegetables (typically romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, and red onion), aromatic herbs (mint and parsley), crispy toasted pita bread pieces, and a tangy dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, garlic, sumac, and salt. The combination creates a refreshing salad with contrasting textures and bright flavors that exemplify Mediterranean cuisine.

What is the difference between tabbouleh and fattoush?

While both are popular Lebanese salads, they differ significantly in composition. Tabbouleh is primarily an herb salad with parsley and mint as the main ingredients, bulked out with fine bulgur wheat and accented with tomatoes, onion, and a similar lemon-olive oil dressing. Fattoush, by contrast, is vegetable-focused with romaine lettuce as the base and features toasted pita bread pieces that tabbouleh doesn't include. Additionally, fattoush dressing typically contains sumac and often pomegranate molasses, which aren't standard in tabbouleh.

Why is fattoush so good?

Fattoush salad delights the palate through its perfect balance of contrasting elements: the fresh crispness of vegetables against the crunchy pita pieces; the bright acidity of lemon juice complemented by the sweet-tart notes of pomegranate molasses; and the aromatic herbs that provide depth of flavor. Additionally, the sumac in the dressing offers a unique tangy dimension not commonly found in Western salads. This harmony of textures, flavors, and aromas creates an exceptionally satisfying eating experience.

How healthy is fattoush?

Fattoush salad is exceptionally nutritious. The vegetable base provides fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, while the olive oil in the dressing contributes heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. Fresh herbs add additional antioxidants and micronutrients. The pita bread adds some carbohydrates but in moderate amounts. Overall, fattoush offers a balanced nutritional profile with relatively low calories (approximately 220-250 calories per serving) while delivering substantial nutritional benefits and satisfying flavor.

What bread is used in Fattoush?

Traditional fattoush salad uses Arabic flatbread, specifically pita bread or Lebanese bread (also called khubz). The bread is typically toasted or fried until crispy, then broken into bite-sized pieces. The quality of the bread matters—authentic versions use thin, unleavened or slightly leavened flatbreads rather than thick pita pockets common in Western supermarkets. The bread component is essential to fattoush, as it adds crucial texture and helps absorb the flavorful dressing.

Which is healthier, tabbouleh or Fattoush?

Both salads are nutritious choices, but their health profiles differ slightly. Tabbouleh contains more herbs, which are exceptionally rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and the bulgur wheat provides whole grain benefits. Fattoush typically contains a wider variety of vegetables, offering diverse nutrients and more fiber. Fattoush includes toasted pita, which adds more carbohydrates than tabbouleh's smaller amount of bulgur. For calorie-conscious diners, tabbouleh is generally slightly lower in calories, but fattoush may be more filling as a standalone dish. The healthiest choice depends on individual nutritional needs and dietary preferences. "Looking for inspiration? Try our Greek salad with chicken for another Mediterranean favorite."

fattoush salad

Fattoush Salad

Print Recipe

A refreshing Lebanese bread salad featuring crisp vegetables, herbs, and toasted pita in a tangy lemon-pomegranate dressing.

Author: Chef Rina
Prep Time: 20
Cook Time: 5
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 1x
Category: Salad
Cuisine: Lebanese

Ingredients

Scale

Crispy pita bread “croutons”

2 pita bread or 1 lebanese bread
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt

Salad:

5 cups cos/romaine lettuce, cut into large bite size pieces
2 Lebanese cucumbers, thinly sliced into 3mm rounds
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (~200g), or 1 1/2 regular tomatoes cut into large chunks
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
5 red radish, finely sliced
1/2 cup mint leaves, lightly packed (large ones torn in half)
1 tbsp roughly chopped parsley

Dressing:

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp pomegranate molasses
1 medium garlic clove, finely grated or crushed using garlic crusher
1 tsp sumac (still worth making without)
1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Separate pita bread into thin sheets and cut into 1.2-inch squares.
Toss pita pieces with olive oil and salt on a baking tray, then spread in a single layer.
Bake for 5 minutes until crispy, then cool completely on the tray.
Prepare the dressing by combining all dressing ingredients in a jar and shaking well until combined.
Place all salad ingredients in a large bowl and drizzle with half the dressing, then toss gently.
Add most of the crispy pita chips and drizzle with remaining dressing, tossing again.
Transfer to a serving bowl, top with remaining pita chips and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, assemble this salad just before serving to maintain the crispness of the pita chips. Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4
Calories: 220 Kcal
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 380mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 4g

Keywords: fattoush salad, Lebanese salad, Mediterranean salad, pita bread salad, sumac salad

Find it online: https://www.joyliciousrecipes.com/fattoush-salad-recipe/