Lebanese Cabbage Salad - Malfouf Salad
This Lebanese Cabbage Salad - Malfouf Salad is a refreshing, fragrant, and crunchy salad made with finely shredded cabbage, fresh lemon juice, good olive oil, fresh herbs, and a touch of dried mint.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Lebanese, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Diet: Gluten Free, Halal, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 112kcal
1 measuring spoons
1 Measuring cups
1 Sharp knife
- 1 small cabbage (finely shredded)
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ⅓ cup chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped dill
- 3 green onions (finely sliced)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried mint
Start by cleaning and slicing the cabbage. Remove any bruised outer leaves and quarter the head through the stem.
Use a sharp knife to slice across the quarters into very thin ribbons. A mandoline or the slicing disk of a food processor also works. Aim for pieces that are easy to eat without big chewy chunks.
Make the dressing in a small bowl. Put the lemon juice in first, then whisk in the olive oil. Add the dried mint and salt, and give it a good stir.
Taste and adjust using a little more lemon for brightness or a touch more oil if the dressing feels too sharp.
Put the shredded cabbage into a large mixing bowl along with parsley, scallion, and dill, and pour the dressing over it.
Use clean hands to toss and massage the cabbage with the dressing. This step is gentle; you are loosening the cabbage and helping it soften slightly while it soaks up the lemon and olive oil.
Taste and make any final tweaks to the seasoning.
If you can, let the salad sit at room temperature for about ten to twenty minutes. The acid will slightly wilt the cabbage, which makes the texture more pleasant while keeping a good crunch.
Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.
- Slice thinly: The thinner the cabbage, the better the texture. Thick chunks can feel heavy.
- Massage lightly: Rubbing the cabbage with the dressing helps soften it just enough while keeping the crunch.
- Use fresh lemon juice: Bottled lemon juice won’t give the same flavor.
- Don’t skip the mint: Dried mint is key for the authentic Lebanese taste.
- Let it rest: If you have time, let the salad sit for about 20 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld.
Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 618mg | Potassium: 362mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 700IU | Vitamin C: 75mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 1mg