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Buckwheat Tabbouleh with Chard, Chickpeas, and Creamy Garlic Dressing

  • Prep-time: / Ready In:
  • Makes 11 cups
  • Serving size: 2¾ cups
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The nutty flavor and chewy texture of buckwheat groats make an excellent substitute for bulgur wheat in this gluten-free tabbouleh, which gets extra heft from canned (or home-cooked) chickpeas. Parsley is more than just a garnish in tabbouleh; it’s a key ingredient that brings herbaceous notes to every bite. Finely sliced Swiss chard adds even more green goodness here. Be sure to use both the leaves and stems of the chard for color and crunch. This salad is especially pretty if you use more than one color of chard. Tangy tomatoes, tart lemon juice, and spicy radishes add bright flavor, and a creamy silken tofu-garlic dressing ties it all together. This hearty buckwheat tabbouleh is substantial enough to eat as a meal on its own or serve as a side with falafel, a chunk of whole grain bread, or grilled veggies. 

Tips:

Is tabbouleh gluten-free? Traditionally, tabbouleh is made with bulgur wheat and is not gluten-free; however, this buckwheat tabbouleh is made from buckwheat groats, which are naturally gluten-free.

For more inspiration, check out these tasty ideas:

By Ellen Boeke,

Ingredients

  • ½ of a 12-oz. package soft silken tofu
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened, unflavored plant-based milk
  • 1 clove garlic, halved
  • 3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¾ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or water
  • 1 cup dry buckwheat groats, rinsed and drained
  • 4 cups thinly sliced fresh chard
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 15-oz. cans no-salt-added chickpeas, rinsed and drained (3 cups)
  • 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 cup finely chopped tomato
  • 1 cup thinly sliced or coarsely shredded radishes

Instructions

  • To make creamy garlic dressing, in a small blender or food processor combine tofu, plant-based milk, garlic, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, the onion powder,  ¼ teaspoon sea salt, and the cracked black pepper.
  • In a medium saucepan bring broth to boiling; stir in buckwheat. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer 20 minutes or until tender and liquid is absorbed. Let cool.
  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine chard, 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice, the lemon zest, the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt, and the freshly ground black pepper. With clean hands, massage and rub chard 1 minute or until glossy and slightly tender.
  • Add buckwheat, chickpeas, parsley, tomato, radishes, and the remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice to bowl with chard. Toss to combine. Drizzle with creamy garlic dressing.
Nutritional Information:

Per serving (2¾ cups): 427 calories, 78 g carbohydrates, 21 g protein, 4 g total fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 502 mg sodium, 12 g fiber, 4 g sugar

Note: Nutritional information is provided as an estimate only.

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Suzane

The best meal ever !!!

About the Author

Ellen Boeke headshot

About the Author

Ellen Boeke

Ellen Boeke has more than 25 years of experience as a recipe developer and food editor. She holds Bachelor's of Science degrees in consumer food science and journalism from Iowa State University and attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France. Find her on LinkedIn.
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