The best tabbouleh couscous recipe is delicious served with flat breads and hummus or as an accompaniment to grilled chicken or fish.
Folks, I've called this recipe "The Best Tabbouleh Couscous Recipe" because I believe it's the only tabbouleh recipe that you'll ever need.
Now that's a bold statement, isn't it?
However, I stand by it wholeheartedly.
You see, traditionally, tabbouleh is made with bulgur wheat.
Here, I'm showing you how to make tabbouleh with couscous instead.
The great thing about using couscous is that it makes the dish simpler and quicker to prepare.
There's no loss of the delicious, authentic taste, so you can enjoy a traditional flavour with added convenience!
Tabbouleh, also known as tabouli, tabbuleh, or tabouleh is a Levantine vegetarian dish from the Middle East.
This dish is widely celebrated for its fresh and vibrant flavours.
It's a healthy salad made with lots of finely chopped fresh parsley, mint, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion, all tossed with olive oil and lemon juice.
The combination of these ingredients makes for a refreshing and nutritious meal.
Not only is it great as a main or side dish, but this tabbouleh couscous will accompany just about any dish you can think of.
It's incredibly versatile and can be served hot or cold, depending on your preference.
I particularly recommend serving it with my Cajun Spiced Oven Baked Chicken.
If you're enjoying it with flatbreads it tastes amazing with my low fat hummus recipe.
This tabbouleh couscous is a perfect addition to any meal and is sure to impress your family and friends.
You can prepare your couscous tabbouleh a couple of hours ahead of your meal if you wish.
This allows the flavors to meld together nicely.
However, if you're making it the day before, I recommend prepping all your salad ingredients and keeping them separate.
This will prevent your tabbouleh from becoming soggy and losing its fresh texture.
Closer to your meal, mix all the ingredients together to ensure the best flavour and texture.
Make sure you select only fresh ingredients for the best results.
Use vegetables that are crisp and haven't been sitting about going limp.
You want ripe but firm tomatoes, not ones that are too soft.
They need to have a bite to them to maintain the integrity of the salad.
The quality of your tabbouleh salad will depend on your selection of vegetables.
Fresh, high-quality produce will make a significant difference in the overall taste and texture of your dish.
So, take your time when choosing your ingredients to ensure a delicious and vibrant tabbouleh.
Your Questions About This Tabbouleh Couscous
- Is this tabbouleh couscous recipe healthy? Yes it's full of fibre and healthy fats
- How can I make tabbouleh gluten free? You can make gluten free tabbouleh by using cooked quinoa or millet instead of couscous or bulgur wheat.
- How long does tabbouleh last? If you keep your freshly made tabbouleh in an air tight container it'll last approximately 2 days in the fridge before it goes soggy.
- Can you reheat tabbouleh? You can eat tabbouleh both warm or cold. However it should only be reaheated once by giving it a quick 15 minute re-heat in the oven or a quick 30 seconds in your microwave. Make sure you mix it well before serving.
- Can you freeze tabbouleh? No you cannot freeze tabbouleh. Tabbouleh is a fresh salad best enjoyed as soon as it's made or after a short period marinating in the fridge.
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- Couscous ratatouille is a delicious vegan medley of vegetables combined with giant couscous, making a perfectly filling quick healthy meal. It’s ideal as a family dinner and easily freezable too!
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- Couscous chicken salad. This is a quick, easy to make, delicious healthy salad which is perfect as a warm dinner salad or cold packed lunch!
The Best Tabbouleh Couscous Recipe
This tabbouleh couscous is best if you can leave it to marinate in the fridge for about an hour.
That way you'll get the very best flavours from it!
I’d love to hear what you think of my recipe in the comments below and please do rate my recipe 5* if you like it! 🙂
The Best Tabbouleh Couscous Recipe Recipe
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 250 g couscous
- 300 ml boiling water
- 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Zest and juice from 1 lemon
- 4 salad tomatoes seeded and finely diced
- 175 g cucumber finely diced
- 3 Spring Onions sliced finely
- 3 tbsp. parsley chopped
- 3 tbsp. mint chopped
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- Salt
Instructions
- Place the couscous in a large bowl and pour the boiling water over it and stir. Cover the bowl and leave to stand for about 5 minutes until all the water has been absorbed.
- Meanwhile in a seperate bowl whisk the olive oil and lemon juice together.
- When the couscous is ready fluff it up with a fork to separate all the grains.
- Add the tomatoes, cucumber, spring onions, parsley, mint, garlic and zest from the lemon to the couscous.
- Drizzle the olive oil lemon juice mixture over the couscous and mix well.
- Taste the tabbouleh and season to taste. Add more olive oil or lemon juice if necessary.
- Delicious served with flat breads and hummus. Or as an accompaniment to grilled chicken or fish.
Easyfoodsmith
Its about lunch time here and you made me crave this
Neil
Ha ha! I'm glad you like it. I crave it for breakfast, lunch and dinner! ๐
David @ Spiced
This looks delicious, Neil! I love all of the bright flavors in there. In fact, this would make an excellent side dish for all sorts of summer fun. We're having friends over for a big backyard party in a few weeks, and I'm thinking I might whip up a batch (or a double batch) of this for the party. It will be perfect!!
Neil
With all that grlling you're going to be doing for that backyard party David this Tabbouleh would be a great accompaniment for it! Hope you get a chance to make it and I'd love to hear what your guests thought!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen
That is indeed a bold statement, Neil! But I don't see any reason I shouldn't trust you; this salad looks and sounds perfect. I love a good tabbouleh salad. Interestingly, that I (believe so) always make it with couscous without even realizing it. Now I need to try an authentic salad with bulgur haha. Have a good weekend!
Neil
Tabbouleh with Bulgur Wheat is delicious Ben, you'll love it! I just decided to make the recipe as easy as possible with Couscous. The Couscous only requires soaking in hot water for it to be cooked. You need to cook Bulgur Wheat otherwise. Although it doesn't take too long. Thanks and you have an amazing weekend too! ๐
Laura
Taboulleh is such an excellent side dish, Neil! I love all of those bright flavors and colors, and I think making it with couscous is perfect! I love couscous an itโs so healthy! Thanks for the recipe!
Neil
Thanks Laura. I've been eating a lot of this as our weather has been good. Not that I need and excuse to eat it! Ha ha! ๐
Shashi at SavorySpin
I love your use of couscous instead of barley in this tabbouleh - yup - the only tabbouleh recipe I will need for sure! BTW - cannot wait to see your posts on y'alls trip ti Indonesia and Bali!
Neil
Thanks Shashi. It's just so much easier that way, using couscous isn't it? ๐
Jeff the Chef
What a great lookin dish! The couscous sounds like a delicious variation. Also, thanks for sharing your tips.
Neil
Thanks Jeff!
Kankana Saxena
I love couscous, it's a perfect busy day meal. This reminds me, I need to buy some soon ๐
Neil
I know, we love Couscous too. There's no watching over it on the stove which is good. More time to do other things! Thanks for your comment Kankana. ๐