What to Serve with Tabbouleh? 7 Tasty Side Dishes

We all love a good tabbouleh, that refreshing Middle Eastern salad that’s perfect for summer picnics or as a vibrant side dish. It’s got that perfect mix of parsley, tomatoes, onions, and bulgur, all tossed in a lemony olive oil dressing.

But have you ever found yourself wondering what else to serve with it? We’ve been there, scrolling through recipes to find the best partners for this herby delight. And, trust me, we’ve found some real gems.

Pulling together a meal isn’t just about throwing dishes on the table. It’s about creating a symphony of flavors that complement each other and elevate your dining experience.

We’ve experimented and tasted our way through numerous sides and discovered that the best companions to tabbouleh are those that balance its zesty and fresh flavor. No more guesswork or bland pairings.

We’re here to guide you with some top-notch side dishes that promise to make your tabbouleh shine even brighter.

And, spoiler alert, these sides are as easy to make as they are delicious. We’re talking minimal effort for maximum flavor. Stick with us, and we’ll show you how to turn that next meal into an unforgettable feast.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Tabbouleh?

If you don’t already know, tabbouleh is a Levantine salad traditionally served as an appetizer in Arab cuisine.

However, today, tabbouleh is becoming increasingly popular all around the world, not just as an appetizer or side, but as an entrée as well.

It is generally made with finely chopped tomatoes, onion, soaked bulgur, parsley, and mint, with a dressing of olive oil, salt, and lemon juice.

Serving tabbouleh as your main dish is a great idea as it is healthy.

However, it may not be as filling.

This is why you should consider serving side dishes with tabbouleh in order to round out your meal.

What to Serve with Tabbouleh? 7 Tasty Side Dishes

We’ve mentioned 7 tasty side dishes that you can serve alongside tabbouleh:

1 – Sauteed Mushrooms

Who doesn’t love mushrooms.

They’re delicious, healthy, easy to make, and versatile.

Whether you boil, sauté, fry, or roast them, these tasty fungi go well with a variety of entrées, including poultry, roasted beef, and of course, tabbouleh.

When it comes to serving mushrooms with tabbouleh, it’s best to sauté them to bring out their umami flavor.

In addition, you can add basic spices and some balsamic vinegar to add a bit of tartness.

The umami and slightly tangy flavor of this side will complement the freshness of tabbouleh.

2 – Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese make a delicious, creamy, and filling side dish.

Since this side dish can be quite heavy, pairing it with a light and fresh entrée like tabbouleh will be splendid.

There are several recipes for mac and cheese out there.

You can make your favorite one or experiment with different cheeses such as gouda or pepper jack instead of the usual cheddar cheese.

You can also make a crispy mac and cheese or a gooey one, anything you like.

Regardless, serving this side with a fresh bowl of tabbouleh will leave your guests satisfied without feeling overstuffed.

3 – Roasted Cauliflower

Cauliflowers are a versatile side dish.

Besides tabbouleh, they also pair well with baked fish, chicken, rice, and even a burger.

In fact, many health-conscious people opt for roasted cauliflower as an alternative for meat patties in hamburgers.

This recipe is a great option for those who are always on the go.

It is super easy to make, and you can whip it up in under a few minutes.

Roasted cauliflower calls for additional basic ingredients like olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Just sprinkle the spices on top of your chopped cauliflowers and roast them.

You can also add some roasted onions or a dash of lime juice for jazzing up your meal.

4 – Fried Rice in Butter and Garlic

If you’re looking for something flavorful and filling, you’ll never go wrong with a plate of fried rice on the side of your tabbouleh.

This recipe, in particular, makes a delicious and buttery side with all the goodness of garlic.

And the best part? No hard work is required.

Just toss in all your ingredients in a rice cooker and let it whistle until cooked.

Then, you can take out the rice in a bowl, mix it with some butter and serve it as an entrée or a side dish.

5 – Mashed Potatoes

Whether you’re looking for the best side dishes for a meat-based meal or a simple salad, you’re bound to come across mashed potatoes.

This side dish is a classic, and how.

You can make a simple mashed potato recipe using basic ingredients like potatoes, olive oil, pepper, and salad.

If you want added crunch and flavor, chop and toss in some of your favorite veggies.

This side will round out your meal, making it a perfect pair for tabbouleh.

Moreover, even a beginner cook can easily whip up this recipe in less than 30 minutes.

6 – Grilled Lemon Chicken

Want to add some protein to your meal? Opt for chicken.

Not just any kind, but a delicious grilled chicken with lemon dressing.

For making this side dish, you just need to season the boneless, skinless chicken with salt and pepper.

And grill for about 4 minutes on each side or until cooked through.

For the dressing, mix some olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice.

Simply brush your chicken with the dressing and serve with your tabbouleh to enjoy a scrumptious, hearty meal.

This meal will fill you up easily, without any overpowering flavors – thanks to the freshness of lemon juice.

7 – Chicken Shawarma

Here is another chicken-based side dish that pairs really well with tabbouleh.

If you’re looking for an easy and quick side dish to serve alongside tabbouleh, chicken shawarma is the way to go.

Approximately it takes just about 20 minutes or so for preparation.

Depending on your preferences and availability of ingredients, you can whip up a delicious chicken shawarma from this variety (check here).

Usually, shawarmas are very flavorful and spicy. Hence, it will perfectly complement the refreshing and light taste of tabbouleh.