Fattoush salad bursts with fresh tomatoes, crisp lettuce and crunchy pita bread croutons. Dressed with a sweet and tangy pomegranate dressing, this Lebanese salad is refreshing, crisp and satisfying.
Fattoush - a Lebanese Salad
Here at ACT, we are huge fans of Middle Eastern food and this Lebanese salad is a favorite. Not only does it use up leftover/stale pita bread (which we ALWAYS seem to have!) but oh-my-goodness....the dressing!!
Made with Sumac, a middle eastern spice, the dressing is fruity, sweet and sour. I honestly could lap it up with a spoon!!! During the summer, I keep a container of it in the fridge to drizzle on grilled meat dishes, salads, and even strawberries!
It's also the perfect side to so many middle eastern recipes !! I love to serve it with this Moroccan Chicken, and this Yogurt Marinated Chicken.
What is Fattoush Salad?
A delicious Middle Eastern Salad that's made from toasted/ fried pita pieces that are combined with a variety of vegetables and tossed with a light dressing.
Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and onions are the most common vegetables used in this salad, but radishes and carrots are also popular additions.
There really is no standard recipe - which means you can mix and match pretty much to your heart's content! Fattoush is an ideal salad to make when you are cleaning out the vegetable drawer!
Where is Fattoush Salad From?
This middle eastern salad can trace it's origins to Syria. Today, it can be found throughout the Middle East and it's one of the most popular recipes in Middle Eastern Cuisine.
Ingredients you need to make this Fattoush Salad Recipe:
- Lettuce - You will need a crunchy, sturdy lettuce for this salad. Romaine or Little Gem lettuce are great choices. Red leaf and green leaf lettuce also work!
- Fresh tomatoes - vine-ripened or homegrown tomatoes are amazing in this salad.
- Pita Bread - you can use fresh pita bread. If you happen to have some pita that is a little stale, definitely use it.
- Red onion
- Pomegranate seeds - these are optional, but I love the pop of sweet/sour flavor they give the salad.
- Italian parsley
- Olive Oil
- Sumac - a common middle eastern spice with a fruity, earthy and slightly sour flavor. Sumac is an ingredient in za 'atar, a common middle eastern spice blend. You can find both sumac and za 'atar in any Middle Eastern market and even in many large grocery stores.
- Fresh lemon juice
- Pomegranate molasses - Pomegranate molasses is a thick syrup made from pomegranate juice. It's available from Middle Eastern markets and online. If you don't have it, you can substitute balsamic vinegar.
- Fresh garlic
- Dried or fresh mint
How to Make Fattoush Salad
- Make the Pomegranate Dressing: Combine the ground sumac, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, mint, garlic, and salt in a small bowl. Drizzle in the olive oil and whisk until the dressing is smooth and thoroughly combined.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
- Brush the pita bread with olive oil and sprinkle with some of the sumac. Place on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the oven and flip the pitas over. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with sumac and bake for another 10 15 minutes or until the pitas are browned and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let cool. Break into pieces.
- Combine the lettuce, tomatoes, and onions in a large salad bowl. Drizzle with ½ of the dressing and toss. Taste and add more dressing if desired.
- Garnish with the pomegranate seeds, parsley and pita pieces.
What goes with Fattoush Salad:
Other Middle Eastern recipes I love to serve this salad with...
If you enjoyed this recipe, I'd love for you to give it a 5 Star rating! Cheers, Nancy
Pomegranate Fattoush Salad
Ingredients
- Dressing:
- 1 Tablespoon ground sumac
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons pomegranate molasses
- 2 cloves garlic mashed to a paste
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ tsp. dried mint optional
- ½ cup olive oil
- Salad:
- 2 - six inch pita breads
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sumac
- 4 large heirloom tomatoes cut into wedges
- 6 cups Little Gem or torn romaine leaves
- ½ cup slivered red onion
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- ½ cup parsley leaves.
Instructions
- For the dressing:
- Combine all the ingredients in the Little Salad Dressing Shaker and shake to combine.
- Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. If making ahead, refrigerate after making.
- For the Salad:
- Pre heat the oven to 325 degrees.
- Brush the tops of the pita bread with 1 Tablespoon of olive oil.
- Sprinkle with sumac.
- Bake for 15 minutes, until the pita tops are a deep golden brown.
- Remove pitas from the oven, flip over and brush with remaining olive oil
- Sprinkle with remaining sumac.
- Return to the oven and bake for another 10 - 15 minutes until the pitas are crispy.
- Remove from oven and let cool.
- Break into pieces and store in one of the Good Grips glass snap containers if not using immediately.
- In a large bowl, combine the little gem or romaine leaves, tomatoes and red onion.
- Toss ½ of the dressing.
- Taste and add more dressing if necessary.
- Garnish with the pita croutons, pomegranate seeds and parsley.
Nutrition
sally says
Nice they are coming out with glass. I've been replacing my BPA-free plastic with glass. AS always, love your photos!
Vicki Bensinger says
I always tell my students if it's made by OXO you can be sure it's good. I love all their products and they stand up to the test of time. I haven't seen the salad dressing dispenser - I love that. Great recipe using the pomegranate seeds, perfect for summer BBQs and picnics.
Nancy says
Hi Vicki!! I am loving the dressing dispenser - it pours wonderfully and it doesn't leak!!!