Simple Lebanese Slaw (aka Salatet Malfouf) made with crunchy cabbage, fresh herbs, lemon, garlic, and scallions. A refreshingly delicious vegan side to serve with your Middle Eastern feast. Video!
This fresh and crunchy Lebanese Slaw is incredibly addicting. It’s full of flavorful herbs- mint, parsley, and dill simply dressed with lemon and olive oil. It’s delicious served with grilled chicken shawarma, or falafels, or Zaatar Meatballs.
The first time I had this flavorful Middle Eastern Slaw was at my favorite Lebanese restaurant in Southern California where I grew up. It’s called Salatat Malfouf and though it has very simple ingredients, the combination is spectacular. It’s a lovely addition to any Middle Eastern Feast.
What I love about this Lebanese Slaw is that you can add other seasonal ingredients to it. Vine-ripened cherry tomatoes, Turkish cucumbers, or radishes would all work well here. Today I’ve intentionally kept it basic.
Lebanese Slaw (Salatet Malfouf) | 60-second video
Herbs in Lebanese Slaw:
Lebanese Slaw is traditionally made with mint. I’ve had versions with dried mint, and though I prefer fresh, the dried mint actually works too. Here we’re not only using fresh mint, but adding fresh parsley and dill as well.
A trifecta of herbs and flavor!
Add scallions or finely chopped onion.
The dressing:
Lebanese Slaw is simply dressing; a squeeze of lemon juice, olive oil, finely minced garlic clove, and salt and pepper!
I love adding a little Zaatar spice, but this is optional.
Then toss!
The Lebanese Slaw will keep 3-4 days in the fridge.
What to serve with Lebanese Slaw?
- Zaatar Meatballs with Green Tahini Sauce
- Lebanese Chicken with 7-Spice
- Grilled Chicken Shawarma Recipe
- Baked Chicken Shawarma (vegan adaptable!)
- Authentic Falafel Recipe with Creamy Tahini Sauce
Enjoy the Lebanese Slaw and let us know what you think or how you adapt it in the comments below!
xoxo
PrintLebanese Slaw (Salatet Malfouf)
- Prep Time: 20
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: salad, slaw
- Method: tossed
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Simple Lebanese Slaw made with crunchy cabbage, fresh herbs, lemon, garlic and scallions. A delicious vegan side to serve with your Middle Eastern feast.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces shredded cabbage (1/2 of a large green cabbage)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2–3 scallions, sliced
- 1–2 garlic cloves, finely minced or use a garlic press
- 1/2–1 cup parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice, and more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons zaatar (optional)
Instructions
Thinly slice or shred the cabbage and place in a large bowl with the salt. Toss. Add the scallions, garlic, herbs and toss again.
Pour in the olive oil, lemon juice and sugar and toss well. Taste and adjust lemon to your liking. You could let this stand 10-15 minutes after tossing, and then re-taste, letting flavors meld a bit.
Add zaatar to taste.
Notes
Slaw will keep 3 days in the fridge.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 3.6 g
- Sodium: 217.7 mg
- Fat: 7.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.1 g
- Fiber: 1.8 g
- Protein: 1.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
This salad is so tasty with all the fresh herbs. I’ve substitute dry dill on occasion it worked out well but fresh herbs are the best. Thanks so much for sharing this delicious salad.
I’m so glad you are enjoying Donna!
This slaw is absolutely delicious! Thanks Sylvia!
Glad you enjoyed this James!
Love this salad. I’ve been making it a lot lately. I’ve swapped out dried dill and mint a few tins due to availability. Still tastes yummy!
Glad to hear this Courtney!
Love, love, love this Lebanese Slaw (Salatet Malfoul)
I made this very often and have passed it along to my friends and family.
Great to hear this Joan!
I used a bag of pre-shredded slaw mix and added some cucumbers and soaked red onion as well. This was a real hit with everyone. The fresh herbs really do make the salad – and the zaatar of course.
Great to hear!
Delicious! I didn’t have fresh mint or dill so I made some adjustments (as in a little dill pickle juice added to the oil and lemon juice mixture). I am so glad I had the zatar because it brought it all together so nice. Delicious slaw!
Nice adaption!
Wow!! What a delicious recipe … this will be my new go-to slaw recipe.
I added more cabbage than called for but otherwise stuck with the instructions, measurements and ingredients.
Thanks for a great new addition to my slaw repertoire!!
Glad you enjoyed this one Judy!
This recipe was a hit. I added fresh corn because we had a lot and it added a nice sweet crunch. Didn’t have zaatar, so justbused sesame seeds. Several people asked for the recipe, and I’ll be making this again!
Great! Love how you adapted.
Another winner from this site! I bought some fresh Za’atar and now I’m looking to use it everywhere I can. This salad is delicious and different (I’m also always looking for different flavours in salad.) Thanks Sylvia!!
Happy to hear this Carrie! If you feel like a fun project check out our recipe for making your own Za’atar!
Love this no sugar
Great to hear!
Wonderful flavors! This recipe is a big hit at our house. Thank you!
Great to hear Susan!
This is such a delicious salad. I used a ready chopped bag of coleslaw because I had some in hand which was quite convenient. The Zatar is a must in my opinion!
So happy you enjoyed this- yes pre-chopped slaw makes it a breeze!
Very easy to make and very delicious
Thanks, Viktoria- so happy you gave this a go- one of my favorites, in fact, I think I need to make it this week!
My whole family lives this recipe, including the kids. We have made this one so many times I have lost count. We have also put a Mexican spin on it and used cilantro, green onion, cumin and lime juice to mix it up. There at so many variations you can do to make everyone happy, but we do love this original recipe the best!
Thanks Jill- we live on this one too!
I can’t remember if I already left a comment but I’ve made this four times now. I’m totally addicted. I haven’t used the zaatar. What’s the best recipe with it to get my feet wet?
Hi Chris, glad you are enjoying! Do you mean the best recipe for Zaatar?
It was absolutely delicious! I added red onion and only two tablespoons of lemon juice.♥️♥️♥️
Perfect Amanda!
Delicious! This has such light and bright flavors. I think it would go with just about anything. Thank you!
Great to hear Jen!
A simple but delicious slaw salad.
Awesome Cindy!
great recipes!!!!!!!!!!!! made a few of them last week, my favorite so far the Italian & Zaatar meatballs…yummy!
Glad you are enjoying the recipes Jose!
loved this recipe. we found the zaatar but to be honest i don’t think it added very much to the already fabulous taste so if you can’t find it don’t hesitate to make it without it.
This was simple & cheap to make, and importantly tasted delicious. I had to swap parsley for basil as had no parsley and no garlic. It last 3 days in the fridge.
Great to hear Ali!
Tasty salad and you get your cruciferous vegetables and fresh herbs in! I’ve made this a few times now and people always ask for the recipe.
Thanks Darla!
This looks amazing! Love the simplicity of the recipe but the abundance of flavor! I will be making this soon! Thanks for sharing!
Great to hear Gina!
Absolutely delicious! Great with grilled anything, BBQ for a little something different, or by itself. Leftovers wonderful. Thank you!
So happy you liked this!
This slaw was delicious. I made it to serve with the Grilled Shawarma Chicken and it was perfect! I may make it again when I try the Falafel recipe.
Perfect Karon!