Fattoush Recipe (Traditional Lebanese Salad)

This Fattoush recipe is a simple Middle Eastern chopped salad recipe that’s perfect for any meal. This Lebanese salad is easy to follow and uses seasonal fresh ingredients.

I can have a large bowl of fresh salad any day of the week! For me, it’s the best side to any dish especially if it comes with some crispy toasted pita!

My love for Mediterranean recipes like Mediterranean Salad Recipe comes from living in Istanbul, Turkey for some years . I remember going to the farmers market every week and getting the freshest vegetables and herbs every time. While living in Turkey, I found that so many dishes were similar to Persian and Middle Eastern recipes and that Turks use seasonal ingredients at all times.

What is Fattoush salad?

“Fattoush” comes from the word “Fatteh” which means “crumbled bread” in Arabic. Fattoush salad has crispy day old homemade pita bread in it which is a way to use old bread so it doesn’t go to waste. This Mediterranean chopped salad is made with fresh vegetables and herbs and has a tasty dressing that makes this simple green salad very delicious.

 

One thing that’s common among Mediterranean region’s cuisines is that meals are usually served with different types of salads, a favorite one being Fattoush salad. It’s a traditional Lebanese salad that is common in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants. It’s served as a starter or a refreshing side dish to many dishes such as grilled meat and rice.

Fattoush Salad ingredients

The ingredients for fattoush salad can vary region to region. The base of a nice fattoush salad recipe is lettuce, tomatoes, parsley and radishes. Cucumbers and red onion are also used to make this traditional salad. It’s important to use fresh vegetables and seasonal ingredients as that’s the base of all Middle Eastern and Mediterranean recipes.

How to make Fattoush salad

Wash and dry all the vegetables and herbs. Chop all the ingredients and mix them in a large bowl. Tear the pita bread into small pieces and toast them with some olive oil and salt in a pan over medium heat. Toss the salad with toasted pita and then make the homemade fattoush dressing. Pour the dressing over fattoush salad and toss lightly. Serve on its own or as a side dish.

You can also use this homemade pita chips recipe and use them for this fattoush salad.

Fattoush dressing

Fattoush dressing is what makes this salad stand out. The combination of sumac, lime or lemon juice, olive oil and some salt brings an amazing flavor to the simple Middle Eastern salad. The key ingredient in fattoush salad dressing is the sumac. It’s a deep red spice made from grinding sumac berries and it has a tart flavor. You can find sumac in middle eastern shops or online.

Read more about sumac and how to use it here. 

You can serve this fresh Lebanese salad with chicken dishes such as shish tawook or Persian chicken with saffron. It would also make a delicious side dish to accompany rice dishes like Persian one pot tomato rice or Persian lentil rice. In summer, a big bowl of fattoush salad on its own can make me really happy!

More Recipes:

• Caprese Pasta Salad
• Mujadara – Lebanese Lentils and Rice with Crispy Onions

Notes and tips for fattoush salad recipe

• If you decide to serve fattoush later, make the salad but don’t mix it with the dressing or the toasted pita. When ready to serve, toss the salad with the dressing and toasted pita and serve immediately.
• You can make the toasted pita ahead of time.
• Use fresh vegetables to make this Lebanese salad. You can use any type of vegetables such as bell peppers, dill, different types of lettuce and tomatoes.
• Don’t skip the sumac as it’s the main ingredient for the dressing used in this Lebanese fattoush recipe.

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