A twist on the traditional dish, spelt tabbouleh with jalapeño vinaigrette has an added chewy texture that pairs perfection with the slightly spicy pepper
In this Post: Everything you need for Spelt Tabbouleh with Jalapeño Vinaigrette
I have been eating Lebanese tabbouleh for as long as I can remember. And if you’re getting bored with the typical salad on your dinner table, then this is a great way to help shake things up! This Spelt Tabbouleh with Jalapeño Vinaigrette may not follow the traditional recipe, but the added chewy texture of the dish is highly satisfying with the spice of the jalapeño.
Ingredients
- For the tabbouleh: fresh parsley, scallions, mint leaves, cherry tomatoes, and cooked spelt.
- For the vinaigrette: jalapeño, lemon juice, salt, and olive oil.
How to Make Spelt Tabbouleh with Jalapeño Vinaigrette
Start your spelt tabbouleh by cooking your spelt, following the package instructions.
While your spelt is cooking, dice your scallions and jalapeño. Quick tip, if you’re someone who is affected more by the capsaicin oil found in peppers, wear disposable cooking gloves when cutting peppers! Either way, definitely wash your hands before you touch your face!
Then in a food processor or a blender, add your fresh parsley and mint leaves.
Then in small pulses (to make sure you don’t puree it), chop your greens until finely minced.
Then add your finely minced parsley, mint, and scallions to a large bowl.
And add in your cooked spelt.
Then toss in your halved cherry tomatoes.
To finish, dress your tabbouleh with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and the minced jalapeño.
Stir everything together until it’s evenly mixed and the tabbouleh is all coated in the juice and oil.
Then serve and enjoy your Spelt Tabbouleh with Jalapeño Vinaigrette! Feel free to garnish with extra lemon juice and parsley or mint leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is tabbouleh?
Also referred to as tabouli or tabouleh, it’s a summer salad that is popular in Lebanon and Syria. It’s usually made with bulgur wheat, parsley, mint, tomatoes, and dressed with lemon juice and olive oil.
Are tabouli and bulgur the same?
Yes, tabouli or tabbouleh is made from bulgur wheat.
Does tabbouleh need to be refrigerated?
Kept in an air-tight container, store any leftover tabbouleh in the fridge for up to 3 days.
More Salads to Shake Things up
- Fresh Mushroom Salad with Lemon Parmesan Vinaigrette
- Italian Chopped Salad with Cannellini Beans
- Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame Ginger Soy Vinaigrette
- Orange, Fennel, and Red Onion Salad
- Smashed Chickpea Salad with Dill
Did you try this recipe and like it? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your dish.
Despite how it strays from tradition, I’m pleased to say my Spelt Tabbouleh with Jalapeño Vinaigrette was a hit with my Lebanese family, and it’ll be a hit with your family, too!
Your fork is waiting.
Spelt Tabbouleh with Jalapeño Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh parsley
- 1 ½ cups cooked spelt (prepared according to package instructions)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 5 scallions (minced)
- ½ cup fresh mint (minced)
Jalapeño Vinaigrette
- 1 jalapeño (stemmed and seeded)
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Place parsley in a food processor and pulse until finely minced, careful not to puree.
- Remove parsley from the food processor and place in a large bowl. Stir in cooked spelt, cherry tomatoes, scallions and fresh mint.
- To prepare vinaigrette, add jalapeño, lemon juice and salt to the food processor and pulse until incorporated, 30-60 seconds. With the machine on high, slowly add olive oil and continue processing until vinaigrette is emulsified.
- Pour jalapeño vinaigrette over the tabbouleh and toss well. Check for seasoning and adjust accordingly.
Loved this salad! I used Barley, as I couldn’t find Spelt…. the chewy texture was terrific in this tasty salad. We used the left over dressing on a reg salad the next day…. turned that salad up a notch. Look forward to making it again!
Tabbouleh is one of my favorite feel-good foods, and I know i’d love it even more with your changes! Chewy spelt and spice are two of my favorite salad mix-ins!
So great meeting you friend!
Love the idea of a tabbouleh with an jalapeno vinaigrette! Think I’ll do this with Israeli couscous or quinoa since I doubt I could find spelt here in Thailand.
It was so good!! Any grain would work! It’s great with couscous, quinoa or even orzo.
posting this on my fan page today
Thanks for spreading the love!
I am dying over this vinaigrette! Right up my alley.
I’ve been eating more and more jalapeños lately – especially during the summer!
I have to try this soon! Love the spicy kick!
So vibrant!! I love!
I am all for vibrant colors. :)
This looks and sounds absolutely delicious. It’s so vibrant! Definitely picking up some spelt and a whack load of parsley ASAP! Thanks :)
I hope you like it Tara!!!
Love this little twist on tabbouleh, never would of thought of substituting spelt, great idea!
Thank you so much!! Enjoy!
This will be awesome for meatless Monday!
It sure would! Thanks Christine!
You nailed it, mint is taking over our garden, so I can plop it into this scrumptious looking dish!
But any dish with cherry tomatoes is a big winner to me! Love the vibrant colors =)
Thank you so much!!! We just relandscaped our yard and I hate to say it – I miss my mint!!
Forget the fork, my face is waiting to plant into this!
I’ve actually not tried any kind of tabbouleh, but have been wanting to lately, and that jalapeno kick sounds perf! Pinned :)
Oh man you would LOVE tabbouleh!!
This looks delicious, and beautiful!
Thank you so much Susan!!
This is a ten on my cup of tea scale Liz! I love the sound of the chewy spelt in the tabbouleh. And that you added a kick from jalapenos too.
awww I am so honored to have hit a ten on your scale!