Seeds Free Classic Tabbouleh
This herby, bright salad is one of those dishes that tastes like it took far more effort than it actually did. Mountains of finely chopped flat-leaf parsley and fresh mint form the backbone, while ripe tomatoes, scallions, lemon juice, and a whisper of allspice and cinnamon bring everything into balance. The bulgur is soaked rather than cooked, which keeps the texture light and lets it absorb all that citrusy flavor without turning heavy or stodgy. Because every ingredient here is a whole, recognizable food — fresh herbs, olive oil, lemon, a handful of warm spices — there are no hidden seeds lurking in a spice blend or dressing to worry about. Draining off the excess tomato liquid before tossing is a small but smart step that keeps the salad from going watery, and that final 10-minute rest lets the flavors really knit together. Scoop it up with crisp romaine leaves for a satisfying bite that feels fresh and celebratory at the same time.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- ¼ cup fine bulgur wheat
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp fine salt, plus more to taste
- 2 medium ripe tomatoes (about 10 oz total), cored and finely diced
- 3 cups flat-leaf parsley leaves and tender stems, very finely chopped (from about 2 large bunches)
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, very finely chopped
- 4 scallions (green and light green parts only), thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
For serving
- romaine lettuce leaves, for scooping (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the bulgur in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse briefly under cold water. Transfer to a small bowl, pour over 1 tbsp of the lemon juice and a pinch of salt, and stir to combine. Let the bulgur soak at room temperature for 20–30 minutes, until the grains are just tender and have absorbed the liquid.
- 2
While the bulgur soaks, place the diced tomatoes in a large mixing bowl and season with a pinch of salt. Let them sit for 5 minutes, then tilt the bowl and spoon off any excess tomato liquid that has pooled.
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