Fattoush
Lebanese salad with pita chips
Fattoush is a fresh Levantine salad built around crisp vegetables and pieces of toasted or fried pita bread. Its combination of crunchy pita and a bright, tangy lemon and sumac dressing makes it particularly refreshing and gives the salad its distinctive texture.
Ingredients
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Radish
- Pita bread
- Sumac
- Lemon
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Toast and break pita
- Chop vegetables
- Mix together
- Season with sumac
- Dress with lemon and oil
Cooking tips
- Add the pita close to serving time so it stays crisp.
- Dry washed vegetables thoroughly to prevent the dressing from becoming watery.
- Cut the vegetables into bite-size pieces so each serving gets a balanced mixture.
- Toss gently to avoid crushing the vegetables.
Substitutions
- Fried pita pieces can replace the toasted pita for a richer result.
- Different crisp seasonal vegetables can be incorporated while retaining the basic character of the salad.
Serving suggestions
Serve fattoush alongside grilled chicken, lamb, kebabs or other Middle Eastern dishes. It also works as a light lunch.
Storage & reheating
The vegetable mixture and dressing can be refrigerated separately. Store the pita separately at room temperature and combine everything shortly before serving to preserve its crunch.
Frequently asked questions
- What is fattoush?
- Fattoush is a Levantine bread salad made with fresh vegetables, pita and a tangy dressing, often seasoned with sumac.
- How do I keep fattoush from becoming soggy?
- Keep the pita separate until shortly before serving and avoid dressing the salad too far in advance.
- Should pita for fattoush be fried or toasted?
- Either method works. Frying gives a richer result, while toasted pita is convenient and remains pleasantly crisp.
Looking for more ideas? Browse all salad recipes or explore the full recipe collection.
