Enhance Your Meal: 8 Tasty Side Dishes for Tabbouleh

Tabbouleh is a traditional Lebanese and Middle Eastern dish originating from the Mediterranean.

It has a rich history behind it and has been influenced by different cultures throughout its formation.

Generally made with bulgur wheat, parsley, tomato, onion, lemon juice, and olive oil, Tabbouleh is served as a side dish to any meal- whether it be lunch, dinner, or even breakfast.

Tabbouleh has a very sour, earthy flavor.

The acidity of the lemon juice pairs well with the fresh parsley leaves and tomato pieces to create an overall tangy dish.

Its crunchy texture comes from the bulgur wheat, which gives it a great bite to every piece.

The best thing about Tabbouleh is that it goes great with almost every main dish.

Its fresh flavors are appealing to the palate.

For example, Tabbouleh would go very well with something like a chicken shwarma or even grilled salmon.

But what about Tabbouleh’s best side dishes? Well, there are so many different combinations of dishes that go well with Tabbouleh, and we’ve put together a list of our absolute favorite side dishes to serve alongside it.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Tabbouleh?

Tabbouleh has long been enjoyed as a main course, but it can also be served as a side dish.

Here are a few reasons why you might consider serving Tabbouleh alongside your other dishes rather than eating it on its own.

The first reason is because of how versatile it is.

While Tabbouleh has traditionally been made with tomatoes, it can be easily be adjusted to meet the needs of food allergies or preferences.

Perhaps one guest is vegan and cannot enjoy the dish if it contains animal products like cheese, cream, or meat.

Serving Tabbouleh as a side dish does not cut out an entire guest’s diet preferences.

Another reason you might consider serving Tabbouleh as a side dish is because of how simple it is.

Many people love the simplicity and ease of cooking pasta or rice, but sometimes these dishes can take a lot of time to prepare – especially for large feasts with several courses.

By serving Tabbouleh as a side dish, you get to enjoy the meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

You might also consider serving Tabbouleh as a side dish for your guests because it is refreshing and light, especially after a large feast.

It also goes very well with grilled chicken or fish.

Tabbouleh can be served alongside many other dishes and makes the perfect tasty side dish to any meal.

What to Serve with Tabbouleh? 8 BEST Side Dishes

Here are eight tasty side dishes that go well with Tabbouleh.

1 – Buttery Garlic Rice

Rice is another classic side dish that works well with many different meals.

This recipe for garlic rice is super simple and adds a tasty buttery flavor to your rice.

This goes very well with grilled chicken or fish, but you can also eat it on its own when you are craving something delicious.

You’ll love how simple this is – you just put all the ingredients into a rice cooker and let it do its job.

There’s no need to slave over an oven or stove, constantly stirring like you would when cooking risotto (another delicious but time-consuming recipe).

Just mix the butter in with your rice, wait for it to turn white, and voila.

You have delicious garlic butter rice.

2 – Mac and Cheese

Many people love macaroni and cheese, but this side dish does take a while to make.

Why not treat your guests to this simple yet tasty recipe?

This is a great side dish to serve with a burger or steak but can also be eaten as a meal when you’re craving something cheesy and warm.

There are so many different mac and cheese recipes out there, so you should experiment to find your favorite.

Some people like it extra creamy and gooey, while others prefer a crisper cheese that is firmer and holds its form.

You can also try your hand at different cheeses, such as pepper jack or gouda.

3 – Sauteed Green Beans

These green beans are a great side dish because they take very little time to make and go with many other dishes.

They make the perfect accompaniment to a burger or steak but can go with nearly anything.

If you are looking for a tasty new way to serve your green beans, this recipe is perfect.

The shallot and garlic add flavor, while the orange juice gives it that delicious citrus taste.

It also goes very well with fish or chicken.

You can make a sizable batch of these green beans, and they’ll hold up well in the fridge for a few days after.

4 – Chicken Shawarma

Shawarma has been popular for a long time now, and making your own is quite easy.

If you are looking for a quick dish to serve with Tabbouleh, this one is perfect.

This shawarma pairs perfectly with the light and refreshing taste of Tabbouleh, and it only takes about 20-25 minutes to prepare.

If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you can make your shawarma spice blend.

There are many different recipes online for this, and they vary depending on the region.

You can add more or less cumin, depending on how strong you want the taste to be.

5 – Roasted Cauliflower

This roasted cauliflower recipe is easy to make and can even be eaten as a tasty snack if you are looking for something that doesn’t take too long.

It goes very well with Tabbouleh because it is light and rich in flavor.

It also goes well with baked chicken or fish, and if you’re craving something more hearty, it pairs perfectly with a burger.

Roasting vegetables is an incredibly simple yet delicious way to prepare them.

This recipe for roasted cauliflower calls for only four ingredients: the cauliflower itself, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Roasting the cauliflower gives it a nutty flavor that is sweet but not overpowering.

6 – Roast Beef or Turkey

One of the best things about Tabbouleh is how versatile it is.

Roast beef or turkey works perfectly if you want to serve a hearty meal that everyone will love.

You won’t need to cook anything else (unless you prefer baked potatoes over mashed), and this dish only takes a few minutes to prepare.

This recipe is also great for people trying to eat healthy because you can go with turkey rather than the traditional roast beef.

If you want this dish to be even healthier, you can use white meat instead of red.

If you choose to do so, it’ll take longer than 30 minutes to cook, so make sure that your guests know they need to be patient and allow the meat to cook through.

7 – Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are one of the most classic side dishes that go with just about anything.

You can serve these on their own, or you can mix them up with some roasted veggies to give them extra flavor.

This dish is hearty and full of flavor, which makes it perfect for serving with Tabbouleh.

Adding roasted veggies to your mashed potatoes is an incredibly easy way to add more flavor.

You don’t need any fancy ingredients or spices, just some olive oil, and salt & pepper.

This simple recipe will take you about 20 minutes total to make, so it doesn’t require too much preparation.

8 – Sauteed Mushrooms

Everyone loves mushrooms.

These delicious fungi are a great addition to Tabbouleh because they add that umami flavor.

They also pair well with roast beef or turkey, and they’re easy to make without too much hassle.

Mushrooms do not need to be cooked for very long; only about five minutes per side is needed.

That means you can prepare this side dish in under half an hour.

Sauteed mushrooms are best when they’re still slightly firm, so go for less time if you prefer them softer.

You can season your mushrooms by adding simple spices such as salt, pepper, and thyme.

You can also use balsamic vinegar or red wine to add a little bit of tart flavor.

Conclusion

Tabbouleh is a delicious, light dish that is great for serving on its own or with other more hearty dishes.

The best kind of side to serve with Tabbouleh is something that’s not too heavy, which is why roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes work so well.

Be sure to avoid pairing Tabbouleh with anything too greasy or spicy; it can easily overpower the light flavors in the salad.

So which of these side dishes will you be serving at your Tabbouleh dinner?

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