If you’re the salad-bringer in your family or circle of friends – this one’s for you. It’s super easy and also really bright & flavorful. It goes great with whatever you’re grilling and packs up well for picnics. You can make it in advance which, in my opinion, is a key element to summer salad-ing.
My Tabbouleh Recipe Twist
This is not a traditional tabbouleh recipe because, as you see, I’m using dried tart cherries (which are also sometimes called sour cherries) in lieu of tomatoes. I just love the pop of sweet bright flavor they bring here – it contrasts so nicely with the earthy flavors of the herbs, and it balances so well with the tang of the lemon juice. For this post, we’re working with the Cherry Marketing Institute. If you haven’t heard, I’m pretty obsessed with Montmorency tart cherries (see all previous recipes here). As their name suggests, they bring a pop of tart flavor to so many dishes, and I love the challenge of creatively working them into various types of recipes. They also have some great health benefits – they’re known to help with muscle soreness after a workout and studies have shown that they can help with sleep since they’re a natural source of melatonin. Give these superfruits a try if you haven’t already! I find mine in the bulk bins at Whole Foods, some of you have also mentioned that they can be found at Costco.
Tabbouleh is traditionally made with bulgur, but I used millet here because it’s gluten-free and the texture is pretty similar. I’ve included cooking methods for both in the notes of the recipe.
Traditional Tabbouleh Recipe Ingredients
I mix the unconventional millet and cherries with classic tabbouleh components: tons of herbs, diced cucumber, red onion, and scallions. I season it simply with lemon juice, olive oil, sea salt, and a touch of white wine vinegar – toss it all in one bowl and serve! As I type this, I’m trying to hold myself back from finishing the leftovers in the fridge – this salad is especially good on the 2nd day when the flavors have had the chance to mesh together.
If you love this tabbouleh recipe…
Try another of my favorite picnic salads like this watermelon salad, this couscous salad, this orzo salad, or this broccoli salad!
