Fattoush Salad Recipe (2024)

Published: Oct 29, 2020 · Modified: May 10, 2021 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

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This fattoush salad is a favorite and can be ready in 15 minutes! Crunchy toasted pita bread is arranged on a bed of chopped lettuce and vegetables and served with a zesty bright dressing.

One of the reasons I love Mediterranean recipes is that they use the freshest vegetables and herbs especially in salads such as Mediterranean salad, couscous salad, tabouli, and, of course, our favorite fattoush. Today I'm going to show you how to make this classic Lebanese salad in no time!

Table Of Contents:

What is Fattoush?
Ingredients And Substitutions
Fattoush Salad Dressing
How To Make Fattoush Salad
Tips To Make The Best Fattoush
Serving Suggestions
Frequently Asked Questions
More Salad Recipes To Try
Step-by-Step Recipe

What is Fattoush?

"Fattoush" comes from the word "Fatteh" which means "crumbled bread" in Arabic. Similar to panzanella, fattoush contains crispy day-old bread, in this case, pita bread, making it a great alternative to letting food go to waste. It's basically a fried/toasted bread salad made the Mediterranean way, using fresh vegetables and herbs with a tasty dressing.

You can find fattoush salad in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurants. I love ordering it at alongside chicken shawarma and toum (garlic sauce) on the side. The addition of crispy pita and a tangy dressing makes this Lebanese salad extra special and delicious. I always end up making a large bowl of this salad for dinner because a small portion is never enough.

Ingredients And Substitutions

The precise ingredient list can vary from region to region. The basics include:

Lettuce - Fresh romaine lettuce works best in this recipe. You'll get the right texture and level of crispiness.
Tomatoes - You want to use firm tomatoes to make this recipe. I love using roma tomatoes for their flavor and texture.
Parsley, mint and green onions - These herbs add a lot of flavor to this salad.
Radishes - If you haven't tried raw radishes, now is the time. They are crunchy with a kick and are perfect with the zesty dressing we make for this salad.
Cucumbers - As I've mentioned in salad shirazi, my preference is to use Persian cucumbers. They are crispy and have no large seeds. If using English or other kinds of cucumbers, make sure to deseed them first.
Red bell pepper - For a touch of sweetness and pop of color.
Red onion - Red onion has a nice flavor that is not as strong as white onion, therefore it's perfect for salads.
Fried pita bread - You can use store bought or homemade pita bread.It's best if the bread is a couple of days old so it crisps up better.

Fattoush Salad Dressing

Fattoush dressing is what makes this salad stand out. The combination of pomegranate molasses, sumac, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and some salt brings an amazing flavor to the simple Middle Eastern salad.

The key ingredient for this dressing is the sumac. It's a deep red spice made from grinding sumac berries and has a tart flavor. You can find sumac in Middle Eastern shops or online. If you're looking for another recipe using sumac specifically, check out my sumac onions recipe.

How To Make Fattoush Salad

Prepare the vegetables - Wash and dry all the vegetables and herbs. Chop the lettuce and place it in a large bowl. Add the chopped herbs, chopped cucumber and tomatoes, sliced onion, chopped bell pepper and radishes to the lettuce. Toss the vegetables together.
Fry the pita bread - Tear the pita bread into small pieces and heat some olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Toast pita pieces with the olive oil and salt over medium heat until the bread is crispy.
Make the dressing - In a small bowl mix the pomegranate molasses, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, minced garlic and sumac until fully combined. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
Final touches - Add the crispy pita to the salad and gently toss again. Taste to make sure it has enough salt and acidity.

Tips To Make The Best Fattoush

Fattoush recipes could change region to region. Follow this basic recipe and add the ingredients you prefer.
You can either fry or bake the pita bread. I prefer to shallow fry it in olive oil.
Make sure to use fresh produce, it makes all the difference.

Serving Suggestions

Here are a few dishes you can serve this fresh Lebanese salad with:

Shish tawook
Chicken shawarma
Beef shish kabob
Arayes (Lebanese meat stuffed pitas)
Homemade falafel with tahini sauce

Fattoush would also make a delicious side dish to accompany rice dishes like Lebanese rice with vermicelli or mujadara. Because of all the fresh vegetables and the tangy dressing, a big bowl of fattoush salad on its own can be a really satisfying meal in and of itself on a hot summer day!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, however, if you decide to serve fattoush later, make the salad but don't mix it with the dressing or the toasted pita. When ready to serve, toss the salad with the dressing and toasted pita and serve immediately. That being said, it's best to make fattoush right before serving so all the ingredients are fresh.

Can I bake the pita?

Traditionally, the pita is fried in some olive oil so it becomes crispy. You can also bake the pita in the oven using my baked pita chips recipe.

More Salad Recipes To Try

The Best Greek Salad Recipe
Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad Recipe
Turkish White Bean Salad Recipe (Piyaz)
Tabouli Salad Recipe (Tabbouleh)

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Step-by-Step Recipe