Fattoush, salad or side from Lebanon: what it is and how it is eaten

Fattoush is a salad from the Levant made with pieces of toasted or fried pita bread, mixed greens, and vegetables like cucumber, tomato, and radish. Dressed with olive oil and lemon juice, it is a regular part of meals in Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Syria, and neighboring countries. The vegetables are cut into larger pieces, and sumac is often added for a sour note.

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Made with toasted or fried pita, mixed greens, and vegetables
Sumac is often used for a sour flavor
Vegetables are cut into larger pieces than in tabbouleh
Part of the fattat family of bread-based dishes
Ranked 5th in Taste Atlas's 2025 salads category

What is Fattoush?

Fattoush is a salad that combines pieces of toasted or fried pita bread with a mix of greens and vegetables. Common vegetables include cucumber, tomato, radish, and sometimes onion. The bread is usually cut or torn into bite-sized pieces, giving the salad a crunchy texture. Olive oil and lemon juice form the base of the dressing, and sumac is often sprinkled on top for a tangy, sour flavor. The vegetables are left in relatively large chunks, making it distinct from finely chopped salads like tabbouleh.

Where does Fattoush come from?

Fattoush comes from the Levant, a region that includes Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Syria, and nearby countries. Its name comes from the Arabic word for 'crush' and a Turkic suffix. The dish is part of a broader family called fattat, which use stale flatbread as a base. Early versions appear in a 10th-century Arabic cookbook, and by the late 1800s, it was described as a salad of soaked bread mixed with vegetables and herbs. Over time, it became a staple in Levantine homes.

How is Fattoush made?

To make fattoush, pita bread is toasted or fried until crisp, then broken into pieces. These are mixed with fresh greens and vegetables such as tomato, cucumber, and radish. The salad is dressed with olive oil and lemon juice, and often seasoned with sumac for a sour taste. Some recipes add pomegranate molasses for extra tang. The vegetables are cut into larger pieces, and the salad is tossed just before serving to keep the bread from getting soggy.

How and when is Fattoush eaten?

Fattoush is eaten as part of everyday meals in the Levant. It is often served alongside other dishes, especially as part of a mezze spread, which is a selection of small plates. The salad can be enjoyed on its own or as a side, and is popular in both home and restaurant settings. There are no specific customs tied to its serving, but it is valued for using up leftover bread and fresh seasonal vegetables.

Kinds of Fattoush

Regional versions of fattoush differ in ingredients and preparation. In Palestinian cooking, a dressing of crushed garlic, salt, chili pepper, basil, lemon juice, and tahini is used, with pita dipped in before adding vegetables. Sometimes yogurt is included. The Jordanian version uses jameed, a type of dried yogurt, instead of tahini. Lebanese versions tend to omit white onion, while Palestinian versions include it. Some recipes add pomegranate molasses for extra flavor.

What Fattoush means

Fattoush is a common dish in Levantine households and is often discussed in debates about cultural identity and food heritage, especially in the context of the Arab–Israeli conflict. Its labeling as 'Israeli' by some has sparked discussions about cultural appropriation. In 2025, it was ranked among the top salads globally by Taste Atlas. Fattoush also appears in lists of classic bread salads and is a symbol of resourcefulness, making use of leftover bread.

Questions people ask about Fattoush

What is fattoush made of?

Fattoush is made from pieces of toasted or fried pita bread, mixed greens, and vegetables such as cucumber, tomato, radish, and sometimes onion. It is dressed with olive oil, lemon juice, and often sumac.

Where does fattoush come from?

Fattoush comes from the Levant, a region that includes Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Syria, and neighboring countries. It is a traditional dish in these areas.

What makes fattoush different from other salads?

Fattoush uses toasted or fried pita bread pieces for crunch and includes vegetables cut into larger chunks. It is also flavored with sumac, which gives it a tangy, sour taste.

Is fattoush vegan or vegetarian?

Fattoush is vegan, as it contains no animal products. The main ingredients are bread, vegetables, olive oil, and lemon juice.

Are there regional variations of fattoush?

Yes, in Palestine, a tahini and lemon dressing is used, sometimes with yogurt. Jordanian fattoush uses jameed, while Lebanese versions often omit white onion.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Fattoush", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Fattoush