INSTANT POT GREEK TABBOULEH SALAD RECIPE
I grew up with tabbouleh at summer picnics and quickly learned that when you balance bright lemon, mint, and parsley with perfectly cooked bulgur, you’ve got a salad that sings. This Instant Pot Greek-style tabbouleh riff makes that classic faster and hands-off: cook the bulgur in the pressure cooker, let it cool, then toss with herbs, tomatoes, garlic, lemon, honey, and olive oil for a refreshing side or light main. If you like simple weeknight salads that travel well for potlucks, this one delivers.
I also sometimes pair this kind of herby salad with other crowd-pleasing sides like a creamy potato salad — here’s a Southern take I love: Southern potato salad recipe with chives and paprika.
Why you’ll love this dish
This Instant Pot tabbouleh keeps everything that’s great about the original — bright herbs, lemony dressing, and fluffy bulgur — but saves time and reduces stove-top babysitting. It’s:
- Fast: the Instant Pot cooks bulgur with minimal hands-on time.
- Fresh: lots of herbs and lemon make it light and vibrant.
- Flexible: serve as a side, make-ahead picnic dish, or add protein for a light lunch.
- Budget-friendly and pantry-friendly: bulgur stretches well and keeps costs down.
"A bowl of this tabbouleh vanished at our backyard lunch — clean, herb-forward, and perfectly lemony. The Instant Pot made the bulgur tender without fuss."
How this recipe comes together
Quick overview before you dive in:
- Cook bulgur in the Instant Pot using a small heatproof bowl on the trivet so it steams evenly.
- Let the cooked bulgur cool and fluff it with a fork.
- Finely chop parsley, mint, and green onions; mince garlic.
- Whisk lemon juice, honey, salt, pepper, and olive oil to make the dressing.
- Toss cooled bulgur with herbs, tomatoes, and dressing. Chill 20–30 minutes for best flavor.
This roadmap helps you pace the chopping while the Instant Pot does the heavy lifting.
What you’ll need
Key ingredients (measured)
- 1 cup dried bulgur
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil (for cooking bulgur)
- 1/4 tsp sea salt (for cooking bulgur)
- 2¼ cups water (1 cup for the inner pot, 1¼ cup with the bulgur)
- Yield: ≈3½ cups cooked bulgur
For the salad
- 1¼ cups flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (packed)
- 1/3 cup fresh green onion, finely chopped
- 2–2½ tsp fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
- 1/2 cup small tomatoes, diced (or cherry tomatoes halved)
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed, ~1 lemon)
- 2 tsp honey
- 1 tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Substitutions & notes:
- No mint? Increase parsley and add a pinch of dried mint or a little lemon zest.
- For gluten-free, substitute cooked quinoa (see variations).
- If tomatoes are watery, drain seeds to avoid soggy salad. If you prefer a tangier dressing, add up to 1 tbsp extra lemon juice.
Cooking method
Step-by-step directions written in short, clear actions.
-
Prepare the Instant Pot:
- Pour 1 cup water into the bottom of the Instant Pot insert.
- Place the trivet in the pot.
-
Combine bulgur for steaming:
- In a heatproof bowl that fits on the trivet, add 1 cup dried bulgur, 2 tsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp sea salt, and 1¼ cups water. Stir gently.
- Cover the bowl tightly with foil (to prevent condensation dripping).
-
Pressure cook:
- Set the bowl on the trivet, close the lid, and seal the valve.
- Cook on HIGH pressure for 5 minutes.
- Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure.
-
Fluff and cool:
- Carefully remove the bowl (it will be hot). Uncover and fluff bulgur with a fork.
- Let the bulgur cool to room temperature or chill briefly so the herbs stay bright when mixed.
-
Make the dressing:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 tsp honey, 1 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil until emulsified.
-
Assemble the salad:
- In a large bowl combine cooled bulgur, parsley, green onion, mint, garlic, and diced tomatoes.
- Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss until evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon as needed.
- Let rest in the fridge 20–30 minutes for flavors to meld before serving.
Note: Cooking times vary by pot model and bowl size — if bulgur feels undercooked, add 1–2 minutes under pressure next time.
Best ways to enjoy it
Tabbouleh is versatile — serve it as:
- A bright side for grilled meats or fish.
- A topping for grain bowls or a scoop with hummus and warm pita.
- A light main when paired with marinated chickpeas or crumbled feta.
- A picnic salad — it travels well and tastes better after a short chill.
For a heartier plate, try it alongside a spiced roast or Instant Pot protein; this Instant Pot chicken shawarma recipe makes a complementary entree: Instant Pot Chicken Shawarma – Jo Cooks (link also in conclusion for convenience).
I sometimes serve tabbouleh with a sweet-roasted side like this Best Jamaican sweet potato recipe for a contrast between herby brightness and caramelized sweetness.
Storage and reheating tips
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container up to 3–4 days. Herbs will relax over time and the salad will become slightly more lemony as it sits.
- Separate dressing: If you’d like maximum freshness, store dressing separately and toss just before serving — helpful if making ahead for a party.
- Freezing: Not recommended. Fresh herbs and tomatoes lose texture when frozen.
- Food safety: Keep chilled below 40°F (4°C). Discard if left at room temperature longer than 2 hours.
Pro chef tips
- Chop parsley and mint finely — large pieces make the salad feel coarse. A chef’s knife or pulse-chopped in a food processor (brief pulses) works well.
- Dry herbs on paper towels if they’re damp. Excess moisture dilutes the dressing.
- Use fresh lemon juice for brightness — bottled juice won’t give the same lift.
- Taste as you go: bulgur absorbs flavors, so season the dressing a touch saltier than you think and adjust after tossing.
- If you prefer a looser salad, add an extra tablespoon or two of olive oil or lemon juice.
Creative twists
- Quinoa tabbouleh: Swap cooked quinoa for bulgur for a gluten-free version (cook quinoa separately). Add more lemon to brighten.
- Add protein: Fold in chickpeas, grilled shrimp, or crumbled feta to make it a complete meal.
- Mediterranean boost: Stir in diced cucumber, roasted red peppers, or olives for color and texture.
- Spicy: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper or sumac to the dressing for tang and heat.
- Citrus-herb variation: Substitute half the lemon with orange juice for a sweeter, milder profile.
Your questions answered
Q: How long does it take to make this from start to finish?
A: Active hands-on time is about 20–25 minutes (mostly chopping). With the Instant Pot cook time and a short cool/rest, expect ~45 minutes total. Chilling for 20–30 minutes improves flavor but isn’t mandatory.
Q: Can I make tabbouleh ahead for a party?
A: Yes. Make it 1 day ahead and refrigerate in an airtight container. If the herbs look limp, toss with a little extra lemon and olive oil before serving.
Q: Is bulgur fully cooked in 5 minutes under pressure?
A: In the Instant Pot, 5 minutes high pressure with a 10-minute natural release produces tender bulgur for most batches. If your bulgur is tougher (older or larger granules), add 1–2 minutes next time.
Q: Can I use dried mint instead of fresh?
A: Fresh mint is far superior here. If you must use dried, use just 1/4 the fresh amount (start with 1/2 tsp) and add to taste.
Q: Any tip to keep the salad from becoming soggy?
A: Drain very juicy tomatoes, chop herbs finely, and avoid over-oiling. Store in the fridge and combine with fresh greens just before serving if you need extra crunch.
Conclusion
This Instant Pot bulgur tabbouleh is a fast, herb-forward salad that works as a light main, a picnic staple, or a vibrant side. For another gluten-free grain twist, check this quinoa tabbouleh inspired recipe: https://www.mycookingjourney.com/quinoa-tabbouleh-bm-32/. If you’re planning a full Mediterranean-style meal cooked in the Instant Pot, pair the salad with this flavorful https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/instant-pot-chicken-shawarma/ for an easy, complementary main.
Instant Pot Tabbouleh
Ingredients
For the Bulgur
- 1 cup dried bulgur Yields approximately 3½ cups cooked bulgur.
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil For cooking bulgur.
- 1/4 tsp sea salt For cooking bulgur.
- 2¼ cups water 1 cup for the inner pot, 1¼ cup with the bulgur.
For the Salad
- 1¼ cups flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped Packed.
- 1/3 cup fresh green onion, finely chopped
- 2–2½ tsp fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced Peeled.
- 1/2 cup small tomatoes, diced Or halved cherry tomatoes.
- 1/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed Approximately 1 lemon.
- 2 tsp honey
- 1 tsp sea salt Adjust to taste.
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
Prepare the Instant Pot
- Pour 1 cup water into the bottom of the Instant Pot insert.
- Place the trivet in the pot.
Combine Bulgur for Steaming
- In a heatproof bowl that fits on the trivet, add 1 cup dried bulgur, 2 tsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp sea salt, and 1¼ cups water. Stir gently.
- Cover the bowl tightly with foil to prevent condensation dripping.
Pressure Cook
- Set the bowl on the trivet, close the lid, and seal the valve.
- Cook on HIGH pressure for 5 minutes.
- Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure.
Fluff and Cool
- Carefully remove the bowl (it will be hot). Uncover and fluff bulgur with a fork.
- Let the bulgur cool to room temperature or chill briefly.
Make the Dressing
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 tsp honey, 1 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil until emulsified.
Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl combine cooled bulgur, parsley, green onion, mint, garlic, and diced tomatoes.
- Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss until evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon as needed.
- Let rest in the fridge for 20–30 minutes for flavors to meld before serving.
