Best 6 Israeli Couscous Tabouli Recipes

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Tabbouleh is a vibrant and refreshing Levantine salad made with bulgur, a cracked wheat grain, fresh herbs, and a tangy dressing. It's a staple dish in Middle Eastern cuisine and a popular side or main course during the summer months. This article explores variations of the traditional recipe, offering three distinct versions: Classic Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh, a modernized take on the classic using Israeli couscous; Quinoa Tabbouleh, a gluten-free and protein-rich alternative; and Roasted Red Pepper Tabbouleh, an innovative twist featuring roasted red peppers and a zesty dressing. Each variation is carefully crafted to capture the essence of tabbouleh while showcasing unique flavors and textures.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

BEST TABBOULEH



Best Tabbouleh image

Learn how to make delicious, authentic tabbouleh at home! This tabbouleh (also spelled tabouli) is even better than your favorite Lebanese restaurant's. Recipe yields 6 servings (a little over 1 cup each).

Provided by Cookie and Kate

Categories     Salad

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 cup bulgur
1 cup diced cucumber (1 small-to-medium)
1 cup diced tomato* (1 large)
1 teaspoon fine sea salt, divided
3 medium bunches curly parsley
1/3 cup (2/3 ounce) chopped fresh mint (optional but recommended-you can chop it in the food processor with the parsley)
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onion
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 to 4 tablespoons lemon juice, to taste
1 medium clove garlic, pressed or minced

Steps:

  • Cook or soak the bulgur until tender according to package directions. Drain off any excess water, and set aside to cool.
  • Meanwhile, combine the diced cucumber and tomato in a medium bowl with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Stir, and let the mixture rest for at least 10 minutes, or until you're ready to mix the salad.
  • To prepare the parsley, cut off the thick stems. Then, finely chop the parsley and remaining stems-you can do this by hand, but it's much easier in a food processor with the standard "S" blade. Process 1 bunch at a time (it should yield about 1 cup chopped), transferring the chopped parsley to a large serving bowl before proceeding with the next.
  • Add the cooled bulgur, chopped fresh mint (if using) and green onion to the bowl of parsley. Strain off and discard the cucumber and tomato juice that has accumulated in the bottom of the bowl (this ensures that your tabbouleh isn't too watery). Add the strained cucumber and tomato to the bowl.
  • In a small measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, garlic, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pour it into the salad and stir to combine. Taste, and adjust if necessary-add another tablespoon of lemon juice for zing, or salt for more overall flavor.
  • If you have the time, let the salad rest for 15 minutes before serving to let the flavors mingle. Otherwise, you can serve it immediately or chill it for later. Tabbouleh will keep well in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 172 calories, Sugar 1.8 g, Sodium 399.1 mg, Fat 13 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 14 g, Fiber 3.3 g, Protein 3 g, Cholesterol 0 mg

TOASTED-COUSCOUS TABBOULEH



Toasted-Couscous Tabbouleh image

In our version of tabbouleh, tender pearls of Israeli couscous replace bulghur wheat for a chewier texture. Fresh mint and parsley add vibrant flavor.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 medium red onion, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 cups water, plus more for soaking
8 ounces Israeli couscous
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
Nonstick cooking spray
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh mint leaves
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Lemon wedges

Steps:

  • Place red onion in a small bowl, and cover with water. Let soak 30 minutes; transfer to paper towels, and drain.
  • Lightly coat a medium saucepan with cooking spray, and place over medium heat. Add couscous; cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Add the water, and bring to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt; cook until all water has been absorbed and couscous is al dente, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool completely.
  • In a large bowl, combine couscous, reserved red onion, parsley, mint, oil, and lemon juice; toss to combine. Season with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Serve, garnished with lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 253 g, Fat 3 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 8 g, Sodium 718 g

TABBOULEH



Tabbouleh image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     side-dish

Time 31m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup bulghur wheat
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1/4 cup good olive oil
3 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 cup minced scallions, white and green parts (1 bunch)
1 cup chopped fresh mint leaves (1 bunch)
1 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley (1 bunch)
1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and medium-diced
2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Place the bulghur in a large bowl, pour in the boiling water, and add the lemon juice, olive oil, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Stir, then allow to stand at room temperature for about 1 hour.
  • Add the scallions, mint, parsley, cucumber, tomatoes, 2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper; mix well. Season, to taste, and serve or cover and refrigerate. The flavor will improve if the tabbouleh sits for a few hours.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD, TABBOULEH-STYLE



Israeli Couscous Salad, Tabbouleh-Style image

Provided by Alice Hart

Categories     easy, quick, salads and dressings

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups (220 grams) Israeli or other large couscous
Salt
3 cups of finely chopped parsley and mint leaves
1 large garlic clove, very finely chopped
1 red onion, finely chopped
4 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced
2 lemons
Black pepper

Steps:

  • Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the couscous and stir until it turns a deep golden brown and smells toasted.
  • Add 2 3/4 cups of water and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until all the water has been absorbed, 10 to 14 minutes. Let cool.
  • Stir the remaining olive oil into the couscous. Add the parsley and mint, garlic, onion, tomatoes and the finely grated zest of one lemon. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the juice of both lemons, or to taste.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 540, UnsaturatedFat 23 grams, Carbohydrate 63 grams, Fat 29 grams, Fiber 12 grams, Protein 13 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 886 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams

COUSCOUS TABBOULEH



Couscous Tabbouleh image

Couscous tabbouleh is popular throughout France. In summer, add a pound of finely chopped tomatoes to the mix.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     easy, side dish

Time 45m

Yield Serves four to six

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup couscous
Salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped mint
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 small cucumber, diced
Small romaine lettuce leaves for scoops

Steps:

  • Put the couscous in a glass or ceramic bowl, and toss with the salt and cumin. Mix together 1/4 cup of the lemon juice and the water, and pour over the couscous. Let sit for 30 minutes, stirring the mixture from time to time or rubbing between your fingers and thumbs to prevent it from lumping. Cover with a plate, and microwave on 100 per cent power for one minute; or line a steamer with a kitchen towel, place the couscous in it and steam for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the plate, or remove from the steamer, and return to the bowl. Stir in the remaining lemon juice and the olive oil, and allow to cool. Toss with the remaining ingredients, except the lettuce leaves. Taste and adjust seasonings. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve, using the romaine lettuce leaves as scoopers.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 209, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 27 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 376 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams

COUSCOUS TABBOULEH



Couscous Tabbouleh image

Categories     Salad     Tomato     Side     Quick & Easy     Low/No Sugar     Mint     Cucumber     Chill     Couscous     Parsley     Boil     Gourmet

Yield Serves 8 to 10

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup chicken broth
1 cup water
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups couscous
1 seedless cucumber, cut into 1/4-inch pieces, plus cucumber slices for garnish
8 plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch dice, plus tomato slices for garnish
3/4 cup finely chopped scallion
2 cups loosely packed fresh parsley leaves, minced
1 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves, minced, plus mint sprigs for garnish

Steps:

  • In a saucepan combine the broth, the water, 1/4 cup of the lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of the oil, bring the mixture to a boil, and stir in the couscous. Cover the pan, remove it from the heat, and let the couscous stand for 5 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork and let it cool in the pan. In a very large bowl stir together the cucumber pieces, the tomato dice, the scallion, the remaining 1/3 cup oil, the remaining 1/4 cup lemon juice, and salt to taste and let the mixture stand for 15 minutes. Add the couscous, the parsley, and the mint leaves, stir the salad well, and chill it, covered, for 1 hour. The salad may be made 2 days in advance and kept covered and chilled. Serve the salad garnished with the mint sprigs and the cucumber and tomato slices.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, ripe ingredients. This will ensure that your tabouli is flavorful and delicious.
  • Chop the vegetables finely. This will help them to evenly distribute throughout the tabouli and make it easier to eat.
  • Use a light hand when seasoning the tabouli. You can always add more seasoning to taste, but it is difficult to remove it once it has been added.
  • Let the tabouli rest for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the bulgur to absorb the dressing.
  • Serve the tabouli at room temperature or chilled. It is also delicious served warm, but it is important to let it cool slightly before serving so that the bulgur does not become mushy.

Conclusion:

Israeli couscous tabouli is a delightful and refreshing salad that is perfect for any occasion. It is a great way to use up fresh vegetables and herbs, and it can be tailored to your own personal taste. Whether you like it simple or loaded with vegetables, tabouli is a delicious and healthy dish that is sure to please everyone at your table.

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