Rice Free Lebanese Tabbouleh
This vibrant Lebanese salad is a celebration of fresh herbs, and the star of the show is unmistakably the parsley — mountains of it, finely chopped alongside fragrant mint, juicy tomatoes, and bright scallion greens. A small amount of fine bulgur wheat soaks in fresh lemon juice until just tender, giving the dish its characteristic heartiness without ever leaning on rice as a base. That makes this a naturally satisfying grain salad for anyone navigating a rice-free lifestyle, with zero substitutions or workarounds required. The dressing is beautifully simple — more lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and warm whispers of allspice and cinnamon that give it an unmistakably Lebanese character. Everything comes together in one big bowl, and a short rest lets those flavors meld into something that tastes far more complex than the ingredient list suggests. Scoop it up with crisp romaine leaves for a fresh, handheld bite, or pile it alongside whatever else is on the table. It's the kind of dish that disappears fast and always gets asked about.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- ¼ cup fine bulgur wheat
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons), divided
- 2 bunches flat-leaf parsley (about 4 cups packed), stems removed, finely chopped
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- 3 medium ripe tomatoes (about 1 lb), seeded and finely diced
- 4 scallions (green tops only), thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¾ tsp fine sea salt, or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper, or to taste
For serving
- romaine lettuce leaves, for scooping (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the bulgur in a fine-mesh strainer set over a bowl. Pour 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice over the bulgur and toss to coat, then let it soak at room temperature for 30 minutes, until the grains are just tender and have absorbed the juice. Fluff with a fork.
- 2
While the bulgur soaks, finely chop the parsley and mint on a large cutting board, working in batches if needed, until the pieces are very small and uniform — about 1/8 inch. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
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