Lentil tabbouleh salad is a gluten-free interpretation of the Mediterranean bulgur-and-parsley salad. The fresh salad makes for a perfect mezze (appetizer) or a side dish to grilled pork chops or shrimp skewers. For authentic flavor, use flat-leaf parsley, including the stems.

Lentil Tabbouleh Salad Recipe and Tips

Lentil tabbouleh, also spelled tabouli, is a spin on a classic plant-based salad consisting of bulgur wheat, fresh herbs, tomatoes, and scallions. Gluten-free versions use cooked lentils or quinoa instead of [bulgur](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-bulgur). Lentils are the edible seeds of legumes, making them an acceptable food for a grain-free and gluten-free diet. [Bulgur tabbouleh](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bulgur-tabbouleh) is Lebanese in origin but popular throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

Serve lentil tabbouleh salad as part of a mezze spread along with [Yotam Ottolenghi](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/yotam-ottolenghi-teaches-modern-middle-eastern-cooking)’s [muhammara](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-muhammara), chickpea [hummus](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/yotam-ottolenghis-hummus-recipe), or [pea spread](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pea-dip-recipe) with smoky [marinated feta](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/marinated-feta-recipe-by-yotam-ottolenghi) cheese. [__Jump to recipe__](lentil-tabbouleh#1rKperoc2dVC2rIH1XBxPm).
Use the tips below for making refreshing, herby, and protein-packed lentil tabbouleh: 

1. __Add more vegetables__. Traditional tabbouleh lacks fresh vegetables other than tomatoes. However, you can customize tabbouleh recipes to your preferences. Add chopped cucumbers, bell peppers, thinly sliced green onions, or [sumac-marinated red onions](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sumac-onions-a-recipe-by-yotam-ottolenghi) to this Middle Eastern Salad.
2. __Choose the right lentil__. You may find several types of this legume at the grocery store. Remember that while red and green lentils may have similar cooking times, green lentils tend to hold their shape better, making them ideal for salad recipes. (Save the red lentils for [Madhur Jaffrey’s dal recipe](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dal-recipe-by-madhur-jaffrey).)
3. __Make the lentil tabbouleh salad ahead of time__. Making the salad ahead of time allows the dressing to soak into the ingredients, making the salad robust in flavor. Make the salad in a big bowl and cover it with plastic wrap before chilling it in the refrigerator overnight. Serve the salad cold or at room temperature.
4. __Use fresh herbs__. Fresh herbs are classic to tabbouleh and provide a lot of flavors. Use fresh herbs, like fresh mint and fresh parsley, instead of dried herbs. Flat-leaf parsley, including the stems, is a typical ingredient.
Lentil tabbouleh salad is a gluten-free interpretation of the Mediterranean bulgur-and-parsley salad. The fresh salad makes for a perfect mezze (appetizer) or a side dish to grilled pork chops or shrimp skewers. For authentic flavor, use flat-leaf parsley, including the stems.

Lentil tabbouleh, also spelled tabouli, is a spin on a classic plant-based salad consisting of bulgur wheat, fresh herbs, tomatoes, and scallions. Gluten-free versions use cooked lentils or quinoa instead of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-bulgur' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-bulgur","linkCopy":"bulgur","category":null}'>bulgur</a>. Lentils are the edible seeds of legumes, making them an acceptable food for a grain-free and gluten-free diet. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bulgur-tabbouleh' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bulgur-tabbouleh","linkCopy":"Bulgur tabbouleh","category":null}'>Bulgur tabbouleh</a> is Lebanese in origin but popular throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean.Serve lentil tabbouleh salad as part of a mezze spread along with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/yotam-ottolenghi-teaches-modern-middle-eastern-cooking' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/yotam-ottolenghi-teaches-modern-middle-eastern-cooking","linkCopy":"Yotam Ottolenghi","category":null}'>Yotam Ottolenghi</a>’s <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-muhammara' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-muhammara","linkCopy":"muhammara","category":null}'>muhammara</a>, chickpea <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/yotam-ottolenghis-hummus-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/yotam-ottolenghis-hummus-recipe","linkCopy":"hummus","category":null}'>hummus</a>, or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pea-dip-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pea-dip-recipe","linkCopy":"pea spread","category":null}'>pea spread</a> with smoky <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/marinated-feta-recipe-by-yotam-ottolenghi' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/marinated-feta-recipe-by-yotam-ottolenghi","linkCopy":"marinated feta","category":null}'>marinated feta</a> cheese. <a href='lentil-tabbouleh#1rKperoc2dVC2rIH1XBxPm' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"lentil-tabbouleh#1rKperoc2dVC2rIH1XBxPm","linkCopy":"\u003cstrong class=\"mc-text--bold\"\u003eJump to recipe\u003c/strong\u003e","category":null}'>Jump to recipe</a>.

What Is Lentil Tabbouleh?

Use the tips below for making refreshing, herby, and protein-packed lentil tabbouleh: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Add more vegetables. Traditional tabbouleh lacks fresh vegetables other than tomatoes. However, you can customize tabbouleh recipes to your preferences. Add chopped cucumbers, bell peppers, thinly sliced green onions, or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sumac-onions-a-recipe-by-yotam-ottolenghi' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sumac-onions-a-recipe-by-yotam-ottolenghi","linkCopy":"sumac-marinated red onions","category":null}'>sumac-marinated red onions</a> to this Middle Eastern Salad. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Choose the right lentil. You may find several types of this legume at the grocery store. Remember that while red and green lentils may have similar cooking times, green lentils tend to hold their shape better, making them ideal for salad recipes. (Save the red lentils for <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dal-recipe-by-madhur-jaffrey' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dal-recipe-by-madhur-jaffrey","linkCopy":"Madhur Jaffrey’s dal recipe","category":null}'>Madhur Jaffrey’s dal recipe</a>.) </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Make the lentil tabbouleh salad ahead of time. Making the salad ahead of time allows the dressing to soak into the ingredients, making the salad robust in flavor. Make the salad in a big bowl and cover it with plastic wrap before chilling it in the refrigerator overnight. Serve the salad cold or at room temperature. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Use fresh herbs. Fresh herbs are classic to tabbouleh and provide a lot of flavors. Use fresh herbs, like fresh mint and fresh parsley, instead of dried herbs. Flat-leaf parsley, including the stems, is a typical ingredient. </li></ol>

4 Tips for Making Lentil Tabbouleh

Easy Lentil Tabbouleh Recipe

Lentil tabbouleh salad is a gluten-free interpretation of the Mediterranean bulgur-and-parsley salad. The fresh salad makes for a perfect mezze (appetizer) or a side dish to grilled pork chops or shrimp skewers. For authentic flavor, use flat-leaf parsley, including the stems.

Lentil tabbouleh salad is a gluten-free interpretation of the Mediterranean bulgur-and-parsley salad. The fresh salad makes for a perfect mezze (appetizer) or a side dish to grilled pork chops or shrimp skewers. For authentic flavor, use flat-leaf parsley, including the stems.
