Best 3 Balela Salad Recipes

Are you looking for a refreshing and flavorful salad that's perfect for summer gatherings or as a light lunch option? Look no further than Balela salad, a traditional Lebanese dish that combines the tangy flavors of tomatoes and sumac with the crunch of cucumbers, onions, and parsley. This vibrant salad is a staple in Lebanese cuisine and is often served alongside grilled meats, fish, or as a mezze platter. In this article, we'll provide you with step-by-step instructions for making two variations of Balela salad: a classic version and a vegan version that uses lemon juice instead of sumac. Both recipes are easy to follow and use simple ingredients that can be easily found at most grocery stores. So gather your ingredients and let's dive into the delicious world of Balela salad!

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

MIDDLE EASTERN BALELA SALAD

Middle Eastern Balela Salad image

Middle Eastern chickpea and black bean salad flavored with fresh herbs. Super simple and refreshing!

Provided by fredswife2

Categories Salad Beans Black Bean Salad Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 ripe tomatoes, diced
½ red onion, diced
½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf (Italian) parsley
¼ cup chopped fresh mint
1 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, or to taste
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
salt and fresh coarsely ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

Stir chickpeas, black beans, tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and mint together in a large bowl.
Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, salt, and ground pepper together in a bowl; pour over chickpea mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate salad until flavors blend, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 265.9 calories, Carbohydrate 38.6 g, Fat 8.2 g, Fiber 11.9 g, Protein 11.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 665.5 mg, Sugar 2.6 g

BALELA SALAD

Balela Salad image

This is a Middle Eastern-style bean salad that is full of flavor.

Provided by sister5design

Categories Salad Beans Black Bean Salad Recipes

Time 25m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 (15 ounce) cans garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
½ cup (packed) chopped fresh mint
½ cup (packed) chopped fresh parsley
½ cup chopped onion
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ cup olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

In a salad bowl, lightly mix together the garbanzo beans, black beans, mint, parsley, onion, and grape tomatoes.
Place the jalapeno pepper, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar into a blender, and blend until thoroughly combined. Pour the dressing over the salad, and toss to mix; sprinkle with salt and black pepper to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 206.4 calories, Carbohydrate 29.8 g, Fat 6.4 g, Fiber 9 g, Protein 8.4 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 499.2 mg, Sugar 0.6 g

MIDDLE EASTERN BEAN SALAD WITH PARSLEY AND LEMON (BALELA)

Middle Eastern Bean Salad With Parsley and Lemon (Balela) image

I got this recipe from kalynskitchenblogspot.com A simple bean dish that is great to make ahead. The star of the recipe is chopped fresh parsly.

Provided by Dona England

Categories Beans

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed well and drained
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed well and drained
1 cup chopped green onion
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
1 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon garlic puree or 1/2 teaspoon finely minced garlic
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
fresh ground black pepper

Steps:

Pour chick peas and black beans one at a time into colander placed in sink, rinse well until no more foam appears and let drain.Blot dry if they seem too wet.
While beans are draining, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and let the flavors blend.
Mix the salad ingredients together and let it marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
Chop green onions, tomatoes and parsly and add to bowl. Combine this with the beans.
Whisk dressing ingredients and gently add dressing to bean mixture.
Add salt and pepper.

Tips:

Choose fresh, ripe ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the taste of your salad. Look for ripe, flavorful tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and bell peppers.
Use a variety of colors and textures: This will make your salad more visually appealing and interesting to eat. Some good options include red tomatoes, green cucumbers, yellow bell peppers, and purple onions.
Don't overdress the salad: A little bit of dressing goes a long way. Too much dressing can overwhelm the other flavors in the salad and make it soggy.
Let the salad marinate for a while: This will allow the flavors to meld together and develop. If you're short on time, you can marinate the salad for just 30 minutes, but the longer you marinate it, the better it will taste.
Serve the salad chilled: This is the best way to enjoy the refreshing flavors of the salad.

Conclusion:

Balela salad is a delicious and refreshing side dish that can be enjoyed all year round. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its vibrant colors and bold flavors, balela salad is sure to be a hit at your next party or potluck. So next time you're looking for a healthy and delicious salad recipe, give balela salad a try!