Lebanese Bread Salad “Fattoush” – A Refreshing Middle Eastern Favorite
Looking for a fresh, crisp, and flavorful salad that also satisfies your carb cravings? This Lebanese Bread Salad “Fattoush” is a vibrant medley of chopped vegetables, fresh herbs, and crispy toasted pita, all tossed in a zesty lime-sumac vinaigrette. It’s healthy, beautiful, and bursting with bold flavor—Middle Eastern comfort food at its finest.
What Is Fattoush?
Fattoush is a beloved Levantine salad known for its refreshing ingredients and crunchy bread topping. In Lebanon and beyond, it’s a staple starter or side dish, and once you taste it, you’ll see why. The key ingredient? Toasted or fried pieces of pita bread, which soak up the tangy dressing while still holding a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients for Lebanese Fattoush Salad
Here’s what you’ll need to make this bold, herb-packed salad:
For the Salad:
- 2 pita breads
- Olive oil (for toasting/frying)
- ½ tsp sumac (plus more for garnish)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 romaine lettuce heart, chopped
- 1 English cucumber, chopped
- 5 Roma tomatoes, chopped
- 5 green onions, sliced
- 5 radishes, thinly sliced
- 2 cups chopped fresh parsley (stems removed)
- 1 cup chopped fresh mint leaves (optional but recommended)
For the Lime Vinaigrette:
- Juice of 1½ limes
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp ground sumac
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Pita Chips
Toast the pita in a toaster oven until crisp (not browned). Then, break it into bite-size pieces. In a pan, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil and lightly fry the pita until golden brown and crispy. Toss with salt, pepper, and ½ tsp sumac. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Assemble the Salad
In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine, cucumber, tomatoes, green onions, radishes, parsley, and mint.
Make the Dressing
Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, sumac, cinnamon, and allspice. Season with salt and pepper.
Dress and Toss
Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss lightly. Add the crispy pita chips just before serving, sprinkle with more sumac if desired, and toss once more.
Tips for the Best Fattoush Salad
- Use day-old pita: It crisps up better and avoids getting soggy.
- Don’t skip the sumac: Its lemony tang gives the salad its signature brightness.
- Serve immediately: Once dressed, fattoush is best enjoyed fresh to maintain that delicious crunch.
Final Thoughts on Lebanese Bread Salad “Fattoush”
This Lebanese Bread Salad “Fattoush” is everything a salad should be—crisp, colorful, and full of flavor. Whether as a side dish or a light lunch, it’s a refreshing way to bring Middle Eastern flair to your kosher table.
Lebanese Bread Salad “Fattoush”
DESCRIPTION
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 2 pita bread
- olive oil
- 1/2 tsp sumac (more for later)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 romaine lettuce hearts (chopped)
- 1 English cucumber (chopped)
- 5 Roma tomatoes (chopped)
- 5 green onions
- 5 radishes (stems removed, thinly sliced)
- 2 cups chopped fresh parsley leaves (stems removed)
- 1 cup chopped fresh mint leaves (optional)
For the lime-vinaigrette
- 1 1/2 lime (juice of)
- 1/3 cup olive oil (Extra Virgin)
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tsp ground sumac
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
INSTRUCTIONS
Instructions
- Toast the pita bread in your toaster oven until it is crisp but not browned. Heat 3 tbsp of olive oil in a large pan. Break the pita bread into pieces, and place in the heated oil. Fry briefly until browned, tossing frequently. Add salt, pepper and 1/2 tsp of sumac. Remove the pita chips from the heat and place on paper towels to drain.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, green onions with the sliced radish and parsley.
- To make the lime vinaigrette, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil and spices in a small bowl.
- Dress the salad with the vinaigrette and toss lightly. Finally, add the pita chips, and more sumac if you like, and toss one more time. Transfer to small serving bowls or plates. Enjoy!
