Zesty Fattoush Salad
A tangy mix of crisp vegetables, toasted pita, and lemon dressing for a refreshing Middle Eastern salad. This middle eastern-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs (chopped) romaine lettuce, medium (diced) cucumber, medium (diced) tomato into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 80 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups (chopped) romaine lettuce
- 1 medium (diced) cucumber
- 1 medium (diced) tomato
- 1 small (thinly sliced) onion
- 4 slices (toasted) pita bread
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp sumac
- 1 tbsp (chopped) parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce, 1 diced cucumber, 1 diced tomato, and 1 thinly sliced onion.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp sumac, and 1 tbsp chopped parsley. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Step 3: Top with 4 toasted pita slices and serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 8 hours.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Zesty Fattoush Salad take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (25 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Zesty Fattoush Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (chopped) romaine lettuce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Zesty Fattoush Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Zesty Fattoush Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Zesty Fattoush Salad vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
