Top 4 Syrian Salads

Balilah is a traditional Middle Eastern salad, particularly popular in Saudi Arabia and Syria. It is a simple and healthy snack made primarily from cooked chickpeas. The chickpeas are typically served warm with diced cucumbers and grated beets, and seasoned with a mixture of spices, lemon juice, olive oil, and sometimes garlic and herbs. The core ingredient is chickpeas (in Syria broad beans are also included), which are cooked until tender and then flavored with lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, salt, and sometimes other spices like black pepper, sumac, or paprika. Garlic and fresh herbs, such as parsley, are added for extra flavor. Balilah is usually served warm as a snack or appetizer, often enjoyed as a popular street food and eaten with a spoon or scooped up with bread. It is commonly enjoyed during Ramadan as part of the iftar meal (the meal to break the fast) due to its simplicity and nutritious qualities. It is also a staple at social gatherings and is appreciated for its light, tangy flavor.Expand

Tabbouleh is a colorful Lebanese and Syrian national dish that is usually considered a salad, with a crunchy and chewy texture, made with fresh, finely chopped parsley leaves, olive oil, bulgur wheat, and chopped mint leaves as a base. It originated in the mountains of Lebanon and Syria, where edible herbs that are used in tabbouleh were consumed by Arabs since Medieval times. Usually served as an appetizer, it is sometimes accompanied by pita bread, baba ghanoush, or hummus. Chopped red tomatoes, diced cucumbers, fresh lemon juice and minced onions can be added to the salad, imparting a tangy flavor. It is best to refrigerate tabbouleh for a few hours before serving to improve its taste. Its refreshing flavors are ideal for a hot summer day, while bulgur provides a rich source of fiber, protein, and minerals, making tabbouleh one of the healthiest food options in the region. Tabbouleh is so popular that it even has its own day, celebrated every year on the first Saturday in July.Expand

Biwaz is a simple Syrian onion and parsley salad, often served as a side dish with grilled meats, kebabs, and shawarma. It consists of finely chopped onions and parsley, seasoned with salt, lemon juice, and sumac for extra tanginess. Olive oil is also added for richness. This fresh, zesty salad enhances the flavors of grilled dishes and is commonly used as a topping in sandwiches or wraps.Expand

Salatet set klaileh is a traditional Middle Eastern salad with a colorful history, either named after an Ottoman princess or as the "Lady of the Evening" due to its prominence on the table. This tangy salad usually features diced pickled cucumbers, diced pickled turnips, pickled chilies, onions, tomatoes, and parsley, dressed with cumin, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, olive oil, and some turnip pickle water. It is often served alongside fish, barbecues, or any dish that pairs well with a zesty, pickled side.Expand