This fattoush salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines crisp and fresh vegetables with the tangy flavors of lemon and sumac. With its vibrant colors, refreshing taste, and simple preparation, this salad is a delightful addition to any meal or enjoyed on its own.
If you’re a fan of salads that taste as beautiful as they look, you should also try my asparagus salad, mediterranean quinoa salad or my black bean and corn salad.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Bursting with fresh flavors. Fattoush salad is a vibrant mix of fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and radishes, combined with fragrant herbs like mint and parsley. It offers a refreshing explosion of flavors in every bite.
- Crunchy texture. Fattoush salad is known for its signature crispy pita chips, adding a satisfying crunch to the salad. The combination of crisp vegetables and toasted pita creates a delightful textural contrast.
- Tangy and zesty dressing. The dressing in fattoush salad is made with lemon juice, olive oil, and sumac, giving it a tangy and zesty flavor profile.
- Versatile and customizable. Fattoush salad is incredibly versatile and can be tailored to personal preferences. You can add or substitute vegetables and herbs based on what you have on hand, making it a flexible and adaptable dish that suits various tastes and dietary needs.
Ingredients needed
- Romaine lettuce. Romaine lettuce provides a crisp and sturdy base for the salad, adding freshness and a satisfying crunch.
- Tomatoes. Tomatoes add juiciness, vibrant color, and a slightly sweet flavor to the salad, enhancing its overall taste.
- Cucumbers. Cucumbers contribute a refreshing and hydrating element to the salad, balancing the flavors and adding a crunchy texture.
- Radishes. Radishes provide a peppery bite and a splash of color to the salad, adding a delightful crunch and visual appeal.
- Red onion. Red onion adds a mild pungency and a touch of sweetness to the salad, imparting a flavorful kick.
- Fresh herbs (mint and parsley). Fresh mint and parsley bring a burst of herbaceous freshness to the salad, adding complexity and aromatic notes.
- Pita bread. Pita bread is toasted and broken into pieces to create crispy pita chips that add a wonderful crunch and texture to the salad.
- Sumac. Sumac is a tangy and citrusy spice that is used in the dressing to lend a distinctive flavor to the salad, giving it a zesty kick.
- Lemon juice. Lemon juice adds acidity and tanginess to the dressing, enhancing the flavors and providing a bright and refreshing taste.
- Olive oil. Olive oil is a key component of the dressing, providing richness and smoothness while marrying the flavors together.
How to make fattoush salad
Step 1 – Combine the salad ingredients. In a large salad bowl, combine the torn romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced radishes, sliced red onion, chopped mint leaves, and chopped parsley leaves.
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Step 2 – Prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, sumac, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
Step 3 – Dress and serve! Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Just before serving, add the toasted and broken pita bread pieces to the salad, tossing lightly to combine. Allow the salad to sit for a few minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Tips to make the best recipe
- Use fresh and high-quality ingredients. Opt for fresh, crisp vegetables, and herbs to ensure vibrant flavors and textures in your salad. Choose ripe and juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and fragrant herbs for the best results.
- Toast the pita bread to perfection. Toast the pita bread until it becomes crispy and golden brown. This will add a delightful crunch to the salad. Be careful not to burn it, as it can turn bitter.
- Let the flavors meld. After tossing the salad with the dressing, allow it to sit for a few minutes to let the flavors meld together. This will enhance the overall taste of the salad and allow the dressing to permeate the vegetables.
- Adjust the dressing to taste. The dressing is a key component of fattoush salad. Taste the dressing and adjust the amount of lemon juice, olive oil, sumac, salt, and pepper to suit your preferences. You may prefer a more tangy or more savory dressing, so feel free to tweak it to your liking.
Storage instructions
To store: Remove any pita bread pieces and set them aside separately. Transfer the remaining salad to an airtight container or a salad bowl covered with plastic wrap and refrigerate. It is best to consume the salad within 1-2 days to ensure optimal flavor and texture. Before serving, add the reserved pita bread pieces and toss them with the salad to restore the desired texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can prepare the ingredients for the salad in advance, but it’s best to dress and combine them just before serving. This helps to maintain the freshness and texture of the salad.
Yes, you can prepare the dressing in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. However, it’s recommended to give the dressing a good shake or stir before using it to ensure that the ingredients are well combined.
Yes, you can make a gluten-free version of fattoush salad by using gluten-free pita bread or omitting it entirely. Ensure all the other ingredients, including the dressing, are also gluten-free.
Absolutely! Fattoush salad is versatile, and you can customize it based on your preferences and what you have on hand. Feel free to add or substitute vegetables like bell peppers, radicchio, or cherry tomatoes to suit your taste.
Fattoush Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 head romaine lettuce torn
- 2 medium tomatoes diced
- 1 cucumber diced
- 4 radishes thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1 pita bread toasted and torn
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, combine the torn romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced radishes, sliced red onion, chopped mint leaves, and chopped parsley leaves.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, sumac, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Just before serving, add the toasted and broken pita bread pieces to the salad, tossing lightly to combine. Allow the salad to sit for a few minutes to let the flavors meld together.
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