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Home » Plant-Based

Low FODMAP Quinoa Tabbouleh

Published: Jun 14, 2017 · Updated: Nov 1, 2024 by Em Schwartz, MS, RDN

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Two photos of low FODMAP quinoa tabbouleh
A shallow white bowl filled with a mixture of quinoa, tomato, cucumber, and fresh herbs. The bowl sits on a white marble background with a white cloth napkin on the side. A black text overlay reads Low FODMAP Quinoa Tabbouleh
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With fresh tomatoes, cucumber, and lots of herbs, this simple Low FODMAP Quinoa Tabbouleh is filled with fresh, Mediterranean-inspired flavor.

Close up of a grain salad made with quinoa, tomatoes, cucumber, and fresh herbs

I love experimenting with flavors from around the world whenever possible. Inspired by a tasty dish I enjoyed while studying abroad in Egypt, this low-FODMAP quinoa Tabbouleh brings a fresh, international twist to your table! 

Traditionally made with wheat bulgur, this gluten-free version of tabbouleh uses quinoa, a nutritious, low-FODMAP whole grain.

Each bite is packed with vibrant herbs, juicy tomatoes, and a zesty lemon dressing, delivering all the flavor without the FODMAPs. 

Perfect as a plant-based side dish, this quinoa tabbouleh offers a FODMAP-friendly taste of the Middle East.

Ingredients needed for low FODMAP quinoa tabbouleh measured out into white bowls

Shopping list

To make this low FODMAP tabbouleh, add these ingredients to your shopping list:

  • Quinoa - 3 cups cooked (about 1 cup dry)
  • Garlic-infused oil - ⅓ cup
  • Lemon - 3 tablespoons juice + 1 teaspoon zest (about 1 lemon)
  • Roma tomatoes - 2 medium // ½ pound // 227 grams
  • Persian (Lebanese or mini) cucumbers - 1 cup diced // ⅓ pound // 150 grams
  • Flat-leaf parsley - ½ cup chopped
  • Fresh mint leaves - ½ cup chopped

Optional mix-ins:

  • Feta cheese - ⅓ cup crumbled
  • Kalamata olives - ⅓ cup halves

Low FODMAP notes

In this section, I share information for ingredients that are either frequently asked about or have suggested serving sizes to remain low FODMAP. We each have unique tolerance levels and nutritional needs. Please listen to your body (and, if possible, work with a FODMAP-trained dietitian) to determine what is best for you. For more low FODMAP serving size info, please refer to the Monash FODMAP app and FODMAP Friendly website or app.

Quinoa is a low-FODMAP whole grain and source of plant-based protein. White, red, and black quinoa have all been tested. The recommended low FODMAP serving is 1 cup cooked or 192 grams.

Garlic-infused oil is a popular way to add low FODMAP garlic flavor on the low FODMAP diet. My current favorite is Colavita Roasted Garlic Olive Oil (technically a garlic-flavored oil) that Monash University has confirmed to be low FODMAP. Learn more about why garlic-infused oil is okay in my Low FODMAP Garlic and Onion Substitutes post.

Lemon juice is low FODMAP in servings of 1 tablespoon or 21 grams. Larger servings, greater than ⅔ cup, contain moderate to high levels of the FODMAP, fructans.

Lemon zest of one lemon (or 3 grams) is considered to be low FODMAP.

Roma tomatoes can be low in FODMAPs, depending on the serving size. According to Monash, the low-FODMAP serving size is ⅓ medium Roma tomato or 48 grams. Larger servings contain moderate to high levels of the FODMAP, excess fructose.

Cucumbers are a FODMAP-free food. Enjoy according to your appetite. have been retested. The current low FODMAP serving size for Lebanese cucumbers (often labeled as mini or Persian cucumbers in US stores) is 75 grams or ½ medium. Larger servings contain moderate to high levels of the FODMAP, excess fructose. With any retested food, if you previously tolerated larger servings, continue to enjoy to your tolerance level.

Optional mix-ins

Feta cheese: A low FODMAP serving is 3 tablespoons or 40 grams. Lactose content may vary between brands. Look for products that have less than 1 gram of sugar per serving, like Athenos Traditional Feta. Find grams of sugar on the nutrition facts panel in the US.

Olives contain minimal FODMAPs. Enjoy according to your appetite.

A shallow white bowl filled with quinoa tabbouleh

Instructions

To make this low FODMAP quinoa tabbouleh, simply:

Step 1: If not already prepared, cook quinoa according to package instructions. One cup dry quinoa generally yields 3 cups cooked. Transfer cooked quinoa to a large mixing bowl.

Whisking together a simple lemon vinaigrette in a small glass measuring cup

Step 2: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together garlic-infused oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.

A large glass bowl with cooked quinoa, diced tomato, diced cucumber, chopped fresh mint and parsley ready for mixing

Step 3: To the large mixing bowl with the cooked quinoa, add the tomato, cucumber, parsley, mint, and lemon vinaigrette. Add optional feta and olives. Stir to mix.

Quinoa, fresh veggies and herbs have been mixed with a lemon vinaigrette in a large glass bowl with a gray silicone scoopula

Serve after preparing. Or, cover and refrigerate for an hour and serve chilled.

White quinoa salad studded with diced cucumber, roma tomato, and flecks of parsley and mint.

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Recipe

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A shallow white bowl filled with quinoa tabbouleh

Low FODMAP Quinoa Tabbouleh


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4.8 from 13 reviews

  • Author: Em Schwartz, MS, RDN
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Diet: Low Lactose
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Description

With fresh tomatoes, cucumber, and lots of herbs, this gluten-free Low FODMAP Quinoa Tabbouleh is filled with fresh, Mediterranean-inspired flavor.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked quinoa
  • ⅓ cup garlic-infused olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice + 1 teaspoon lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 medium Roma tomatoes, diced (½ pound // 227 grams)
  • 1 cup diced Lebanese, Persian, or mini cucumbers (⅓ pound // 150 grams)
  • ½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • ½ cup chopped fresh mint leaves

Optional Mix-Ins:

  • ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ⅓ cup halved kalamata olives


Instructions

  1. If not already prepared, cook quinoa according to package instructions. One cup dry quinoa generally yields 3 cups cooked. Transfer cooked quinoa to a large mixing bowl.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together garlic-infused oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
  3. To the large mixing bowl with the cooked quinoa, add the tomato, cucumber, parsley, mint, and lemon vinaigrette. Add optional feta and olives. Stir to mix.
  4. Serve after preparing. Or, cover and refrigerate for an hour and serve chilled.

Notes

Low FODMAP Serving: One serving of this recipe (about ¾ cup or ⅙ recipe) uses low FODMAP amounts of ingredients. Individual tolerance may vary, and low FODMAP servings may change. For more information on specific ingredients, please refer to the Monash FODMAP App or check out the "FODMAP Notes" section (above the recipe).

Update: This recipe was very slightly modified to reflect Monash's FODMAP retesting of cucumbers and Roma tomatoes.

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish, Vegan
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

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A shallow white bowl filled with a mixture of quinoa, tomato, cucumber, and fresh herbs. The bowl sits on a white marble background with a white cloth napkin on the side. A black text overlay reads Low FODMAP Quinoa Tabbouleh
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Hi! I'm Emily, the dietitian behind Fun Without Fodmaps

Hey! I'm Emily - a FODMAP-trained Registered Dietitian living with IBS. I love creating easy low FODMAP recipes for you (and me)!

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