Get ready to enjoy this delicious Fattoush Salad, a colorful Mediterranean dish with fresh veggies, herbs, and crunchy pita tossed in a tangy sumac dressing.
While the array of flavors in fattoush salad is irresistible, the crunchy pita makes it memorable. Fattoush is derived from the Arabic word fatt meaning “crumbs” or “pieces of bread.” Farmers in Northern Lebanon fried scraps of pita bread in olive oil, then tossed them with their seasonal vegetables, creating this tasty salad. The zesty lemon, fresh mint, and parsley, mixed with sumac and pomegranate molasses, are traditional Middle Eastern flavors that help define this dish.
I first tried fattoush salad at a lively yet cozy Lebanese restaurant in the Gramercy section of Manhattan. Ilili was a block away from my job, and luckily for me, locals in the industry were often spoiled with complimentary dishes and cocktails. Mediterranean food is one of my top choices, so I was not unfamiliar with the items on the menu. However, when I had the fattoush salad, I was wowed! It tasted like a refreshing Greek salad, but without olives and feta. It was also like tabbouleh but with more zest and a crunch. Does that make sense? You’ll just have to make it, and then you’ll know what I mean.
Ok, not to brag, but anyone who has EVER had a salad at my house raves about it. Even those who usually don’t love healthy, vegetarian dishes (hi, in-laws!) love my salads. What is my secret? I chop everything. Fattoush salad is right up my alley and awesome because of this one prep trick. When everything is chopped, you get a variety of flavors and textures in each bite.
Is Fattoush Salad Healthy?
Yup! Fattoush salad is a light, satisfying meal appropriate at any time of day. With fresh veggies, herbs, and a delicate, flavorful dressing, this dish is packed with vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. It is naturally vegan-friendly and can be made gluten-free with a compatible pita substitute.
All about the unique Spice Sumac
Sumac is a red berry that is dried, ground, and made into a spice. It may not be a common item in your spice cabinet, but it is popular in Middle Eastern dishes. Sumac has a distinct tangy flavor, similar to lemon, but has floral hints and a sweetness to it. You will also find sumac in za’atar, a combination of dried spices such as oregano, thyme, and sesame seeds, which is also popular in Mediterranean cuisine.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Fattoush salad is best served fresh, but if you want to make it ahead, keep the dressing and pita separate to prevent them from getting soggy. It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, with the pita and dressing added just before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Fattoush salad is perfect any time of day as a meal or a side dish. While I think of it as mainly for lunch or dinner, I love serving it for breakfast with runny, Over-Easy Eggs with extra pita for dipping. As a side, it goes well with Mediterranean Grilled Stuffed Peppers, chicken or Kofta Kebabs, or a juicy steak. You can also include fattoush salad as an appetizer alongside Red Pepper Hummus and Keto Tzatziki.
Ingredients
- 1 large pita bread cut into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 head of Romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 large cucumber diced
- 3 medium tomatoes diced
- 5 radishes thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spread the pita pieces on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and toss to coat. Bake for 10-12 minutes until crispy and golden. Set aside to cool.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, radishes, parsley, and mint.
- For the dressing, whisk together lemon juice, sumac, pomegranate molasses, remaining olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly. Just before serving, sprinkle the crispy pita chips over the salad and toss lightly.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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