• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Foxy Folksy logo

  • ALL Recipes
    • COOKING + BAKING TIPS
  • RECIPE by Category
    • By Course/Meal:
      • Appetizers
      • Bread
      • Breakfast Ideas
      • Dessert + Sweets
      • Salad Recipes
      • Soup Recipes
      • Drinks
    • By Main Ingredient:
      • Beef Recipes
      • Chicken + Poultry
      • Pork Recipes
      • Fish + Seafood Recipes
      • Pasta + Noodle Recipes
      • Vegetable Recipes
    • By Cuisine:
      • Asian Dishes
      • Meditteranean/ Mid. Eastern
  • Filipino Dishes
  • ABOUT
    • About the Recipes
    • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • ALL RECIPES
  • BY COURSE/MEAL:
    • Appetizers
    • Bread
    • Breakfast Ideas
    • Dessert + Sweets
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Sandwiches/Light Meals
    • Drinks
    • Sauces and Condiments
  • BY MAIN INGREDIENT:
    • Beef Recipes
    • Chicken + Poultry Recipes
    • Fish + Seafood Recipes
    • Pork Recipes
    • Pasta + Noodle Recipes
    • Rice and Grains Recipes
    • Fruits Recipes
    • Vegetable Recipes
  • BY CUISINE:
    • Asian Dishes
    • Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
    • Italian
  • FILIPINO RECIPES
  • ABOUT
    • About the Recipes
    • Contact
×

Home > Salad Recipes

Tabbouleh Salad using Couscous

BY :Bebs | Published: 01/20/ 2020 | Updated:01/20/ 2020 | 5 Comments

RECIPE PRINT
5 from 1 vote
Share Pin It Email

Tabbouleh (Tabouli) is a vegetarian Levantine salad well-loved in the vast Mediterranean and Middle East regions. It is super refreshing and healthy that is so easy to make with just a handful of ingredients.

Tabbouleh Salad using Couscous

In 2013, Armin and I had a stopped over for a couple of days in Dubai on our way back to Germany from our Philippine vacation. We did some sightseeing and also visited my two younger sisters and brother-in-law who used to worked and lived there. They are now all back in the Philippines too. We had a blast of a time and got a good view of Dubai in various perspectives although I am sure there are lots more to see, but we reserve those for next time we visit.  If you are interested to visit Dubai in the future, we wrote an article about the things to do and see in Dubai with some insider tips.

One of the highlights of our trip was the desert safari, where we had an exciting drive on the dunes or dune bashing as they call it. After the exhilarating day, we were brought to a Bedouin camp for a sumptuous dinner buffet, this is where I got to try Tabbouleh the first time.

Tabouli Recipe

What is Tabbouleh?

Tabbouleh or tabouli is an East Mediterranean/Middle Eastern vegetarian dish made of finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, mint, onion, and bulgur. It is seasoned mainly with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

There are several variations for this Levantine salad depending on which region. The more famous is the Lebanese version. It leans heavily on the herbs, with lots of parsley and with just a little hint of bulgur. Bulgur may as well be optional. Although bulgur (cracked wheat) is usually used for this dish, you can easily substitute it with couscous just like in this recipe.

I added cucumber to this recipe for volume and the added crunch, this is, however, completely optional. Authentic Taboulleh does not have cucumbers in them.

Taboulleh Ingredients

What to serve with Tabouli?

Traditionally, this salad is eaten by scooping it with the inner leaves of romaine lettuce. Served normally chilled as part of a mezze platter along with other Meditteranean dishes like hummus, falafel and baba ghanoush. Pita or lavash bread can also be used for scooping.

Aside from being an appetizer, it also makes a great side-dish salad for grilled meat and kabobs or shawarmas.

Tabbouleh or Tabouli with romain lettuce

Tabbouleh
Print Review

Couscous Salad -Tabbouleh

5 from 1 vote
Tabbouleh (Tabouli) is a vegetarian Levantine salad well-loved in the vast Mediterranean and Middle East regions. It is super refreshing and healthy that is so easy to make with just a handful of ingredients.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Course :Salad
Servings =4
Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Ingredients
 

To cook Couscous

  • ¼ cup water (60ml)
  • ⅛ teaspoon table salt
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ cup instant couscous (60g)

To make Salad

  • 1 medium cucumber - (optional) cut into small cubes
  • 2 big roma tomatoes - cut into small cubes and drained**
  • 1 medium red onion - finely chopped
  • 1 bunch parsley - finely chopped
  • ½ cup mint - finely chopped
  • 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt (if still needed)
  • ground pepper

Instructions
 

To cook Couscous

  • Bring water, salt and olive oil to boil in a saucepan. Turn off the heat once it boils.
  • Immediately add the couscous and stir. Let it stand for 2-5 minutes to absorb the liquids. Stir using a fork to fluff and loosen them up and let cool.

To make Salad

  • In a bowl, combine couscous, cucumber, tomatoes, onions, parsley, and mint. Toss several times to mix.
  • Add lemon juice and olive oil. Season with ground pepper and salt. Toss again until well blended.
  • You can serve as is or for best flavors, cover bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Notes

You may also use broth instead of water for cooking the couscous for more flavor.
** To drain chopped tomatoes, just place them in a strainer over a bowl for several minutes. It is important to drain the chopped tomatoes to prevent soggy salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 96kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 100mgPotassium: 262mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 2085IUVitamin C: 51.7mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 1.5mg
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @foxyfolksy or tag #FoxyFolksyRecipes!

This recipe of Tabbouleh was originally posted in June 2014. Updated in January 2020 to include new photos and improved recipe.

 

More Salad Recipes

  • Moroccan Couscous Salad
  • Fiddlehead Fern Salad (Ensaladang Pako)
  • Kani Salad
  • Easy Creamy Potato Salad Recipe

Latest Recipes

Nilagang Baboy in a pot made with pork ribs, potatoes, pechay, green beans,and leek.

Nilagang Baboy

Balbacua is a Filipino stew made with ox feet with pineapple chunks, pork and beans and bell pepper simmered in a hearty stew flavored with annatto, star anise, and peanut butter.

Balbacua

Sweet and Sour Fish with colorful bell pepper strips and pineapple chunks on a serving platter.

Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet

Menchi Katsu or Japanese breaded ground meat patty fried to golden perfection.

Menchi Katsu

Sliced Korean Fish on a serving plate.

Eomuk - Korean Fish Cake

Refreshing homemade Tamarind Juice in glasses with ice cubes.

Tamarind Juice

Refreshingly delicious and healthy Lemongrass and Ginger Juice.

Lemongrass and Ginger Juice

Homemade Orange Chicken with a sweet, tangy, and spicy flavor!

Orange Chicken

Reader Interactions

Comments

    What do you think? Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Rate this Recipe




  1. Deanna says

    April 10, 2021 at 4:02 am

    5 stars
    Perfect!!!

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      May 19, 2021 at 5:10 pm

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  2. Medicaltipes says

    March 25, 2020 at 4:25 am

    Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh can be made 1 day ahead (omit herbs). Cover and chill. Fold in herbs just before serving.

    Reply
  3. Megan says

    February 21, 2020 at 1:40 am

    Could I make this ahead one day? Would it be okay being in the fridge for a night?

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      February 24, 2020 at 6:08 pm

      Hi Megan, sure you can but I would recommend adding the dressing on the day you serve it so it will not get soggy.

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Author photo

Good food does not have to be expensive or difficult to make. With our recipes, you can make budget-friendly and restaurant-worthy dishes in no time!

Learn more→

  • Nilagang Baboy
  • Cheese Ice Cream
  • Balbacua
  • Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet

Subscribe

Ebook
Receive new posts directly delivered to your inbox As a bonus, a FREE eCookbook and printable Recipe Cards upon subscription
  • Pan Roasted Garlic Mushroom and Baby Potatoes

  • Easy Pork Hamonado Recipe using Pork Belly

  • How to take care of orchids?

  • Easy Chop Suey Recipe

  • How to make Black Tapioca Pearls for Bubble Tea (Milk Tea)

  • Fall-off-the-bone Baby Back Ribs in Oven

Footer

  • Filipino Spanish Bread Recipe
  • Chicken Sotanghon Soup
  • Coffee Jelly
  • Pichi Pichi Recipe
  • Japanese Cheesecake
  • Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Footer

↑ back to top

FEATURE ICONS

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 Foxy Folksy All Rights Reserved

HOME | ABOUT | CONTACT | RECIPE INDEX

PRIVACY POLICY| DISCLOSURE|COPYRIGHT POLICY