Fattoush Salad makes a frequent appearance on the Middle Eastern dinner table. A simple chopped salad dressed in a zesty lime vinaigrette. Homemade pita chips serve as croutons! See the video and step-by-step for how to make fattoush below.

Mediterranean Fattoush Salad topped pita bread

In the Middle East, the pursuit of fresh-out-of-the-oven pita is real, but that doesn't mean leftover pieces go to waste!

There are many creative ways people of the Middle East utilize pita scraps. In fact, day-old pita inspired an entire food genre known as "Fatta," or "Fatteh."  In fatteh dishes, like this Lebanese Chicken Fatteh or fattoush salad, leftover pita is given a second chance as a main ingredient.

See video tutorial for how to make our simple fattoush salad: 

What is Fattoush?

Fattoush is essentially a "bread salad," said to have originated in Northern Lebanon.  Lebanese farmers would fry leftover pita scraps in a bit of olive oil for extra flavor. And to build their fattoush, they'd simply throw the pita chips in with whatever in-season vegetables and herbs they have on hand.

For this reason, the ingredient list for fattoush may vary. And you will certainly find different versions of fattoush throughout the Middle East.

Fattoush garnished with pieces of pita bread, tomatoes and other vegetables

Basic Fattoush Recipe

If you were to order a basic fattoush salad at a local restaurant, you likely find: cucumbers, tomatoes, purslane leaves (or lettuce), radish, and green onions.  Fresh herbs like parsely or mint, or both. A simple zesty vinaigrette and a generous dash of sumac spice give fattoush its distinctly complex flavor.

Tips for Making Fattoush

As with any fresh salad, fattoush is the sum of its parts. So here are just a few tips:

  1. Start with selecting the best produce you find, ripe tomatoes, freshly-picked herbs, etc.
  2. Don't use store-bought pita chips (there is certainly a place for those, but not in fattoush salad). Take the time to toast and fry your pita at home, making sure you season them well.
  3. Please try not to skip sumac. It is a special spice from ground sumac berries, and it's tart flavor is very hard to replicate.
  4. Use the best quality extra virgin olive oil you can find. It's peppery, fruity taste is essential here. Remember, olive oils that are simply labeled “pure” have usually been heat-treated and refined by mechanical mean and, consequently, lack character and flavor.
  5. Lastly, remember, this is a "basic" fattoush recipe. If you like, try your own variation by adding in-season vegetables like colorful heirloom tomatoes or even green peppers. Add more herbs or crushed garlic. And if it's available to you, jazz up the vinaigrette with 1 teaspoon pomegranate molasses. Enjoy!
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Fattoush Salad


Description

Fattoush Salad makes a frequent appearance on the Middle Eastern dinner table. A simple chopped salad dressed in a zesty lime vinaigrette. Homemade pita chips serve as croutons! See the video and step-by-step for how to make fattoush below.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 loaves pita bread
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 tsp sumac, divided, more as needed
  • 1 heart of Romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 English cucumber, cut in half, seeds scraped, then chopped or sliced into half moons
  • 5 Roma tomatoes, chopped
  • 5 green onions (both white and green parts), chopped
  • 5 radishes, stems removed, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups chopped fresh parsley leaves, stems removed
  • 1 cup chopped fresh mint leaves (optional)

Vinaigrette/Dressing


Instructions

  1. Break the pita bread into small bite-size pieces. Heat 3 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan until shimmering, and add the pita bread. Fry briefly until browned, tossing frequently. Using a pair of tongs, transfer the fried pita chips to a plate lined with paper towel to drain.  Season with salt, pepper and sumac.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, green onions with the sliced radish and parsley.
  3. To make the dressing, in a small bowl, whisk together the lemon or lime juice, olive oil, pomegranate molasses (if using), salt, pepper and spices.
  4. Pour  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!

Notes

  • Variations: fattoush salad dressing often includes pomegranate molasses. If that's available to you, add 1 to 2 teaspoons to the dressing, it really does make it extra special.  For the salad, you can also add more herbs or other greens such as arugula (not traditional to fattoush but wonderful!)
  • To bake the pita chips instead, follow baking instructions in my homemade pita chip recipe and season with kosher salt and sumac when ready.
  • Recommended for This Recipe: quality extra virgin olive oil; all-natural sumac spice; all-natural allspice.
  • SAVE! Try our Exotic 4-pack of spices or our Everyday Olive Oil Bundle!
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Counter Top
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Keywords: Fattoush Salad

Step-by-step photos for how to make fattoush

Toast the pita bread in your toaster oven until it is crisp but not browned.

Heat 3 tablespoon 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 ½ teaspoon of sumac. Remove the pita chips from the heat and place on paper towels to drain.

Toasted Pita Bread
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, green onions with the sliced radish and parsley.

Ingredients for Mediterranean Fattoush Salad Recipe
To make the lime vinaigrette, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil and spices in a small bowl.

Olive oil for Mediterranean Fattoush Salad Recipe
Dress the salad with the vinaigrette and toss lightly.

Finally, add the pita chips (and another generous pinch of sumac, if you like) and toss one more time.

Salad mix for Mediterranean Fattoush Salad Recipe

Transfer to small serving bowls or plates. Enjoy!

Two servings of Fattoush Salad in bowls

More Recipes to Try:

3-Ingredient Mediterranean Salad

Tabouli Salad

Lebanese Chicken Fatteh Bowls 

How to Make Labneh

*Post last updated: July 2017

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I'm Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. I'm all about easy, healthy recipes with big Mediterranean flavors. Three values guide my cooking: eat with the seasons; use whole foods; and above all, share! So happy you're here...
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Comments

  1. Thank you for ALL of your recipes. I live in a Middle eastern food desert and have been surprised by my ability to make all my favorites at home. I have not had good fattoush since I left Cleveland, but keep a bottle of your dressing on hand.

  2. Made this salad and dressing for a family get together and received thumbs up from everyone. The salad dressing was unique and delicious. Glad to have some new spices in my cabinet. Thanks for sharing!

  3. Hi Suzy!

    Made this tonight and had it with Kofta pita sandwich, delicious!

    Even my husband was extremely satisfied & that’s saying something as he’s not terribly fond of all of the Mediterranean cooking I’ve been doing.

    Looking forward to receiving your cookbook tomorrow.

    Thanks!
    Tracy

  4. I made this last night using Arugula instead on romaine. Everything else was the same and it was still delicious!