When you need something quick, colourful, and satisfying, this Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Fattoush Salad is a total winner. It’s a smoky, crunchy, tangy salad that brings serious flavour from just five humble ingredients. I was blown away by how well the grilled onions and cucumbers worked with the crispy pitta and that zesty sumac dressing. (inspired by Jamie Oliver)
Ingredients Needed
For the Salad:
- 1 heaped tablespoon sumac
- 3 red onions
- 2 cucumbers
- 320g mixed-colour cherry tomatoes
- 4 pittas
For the Dressing:
- 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
How To Make Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Fattoush Salad
- Make the Dressing First: Grab a large, shallow serving bowl and pour in 5 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar. Season with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper, then stir in a heaped tablespoon of sumac. The dressing is tangy, slightly lemony, and super fresh—just set it aside so the flavours can infuse.
- Grill the Onions: Peel the red onions and slice them into 1cm thick rounds. Get a griddle pan smoking hot and place the onion rounds on it. Grill until you get lovely dark char marks and the onions soften slightly. It takes a few minutes per side, and those grilled edges add such a deep, sweet flavour. Once done, transfer them straight into the dressing bowl so they soak up all that goodness.
- Prep and Grill the Cucumbers: Peel the cucumbers roughly (you can leave some skin for texture), cut them in half lengthways, and use a spoon to scoop out the watery seeds. Cut each half again to make smaller chunks that will fit in your pan. Grill them on the hot pan until nicely charred, then remove and roughly chop. Straight into the dressing they go.
- Add the Tomatoes: Quarter your mixed-colour cherry tomatoes and add them to the bowl. They bring a juicy pop of sweetness and brighten everything up visually.
- Toast the Pittas: Slice the pittas into strips about 1.5cm wide. Toast them on the griddle until golden and crunchy—it doesn’t take long. This gives the salad its signature crunch. When ready to serve, add them to the bowl and toss everything together.
- Serve and Enjoy: Toss gently so you don’t crush the vegetables or the pitta too much. Serve straight away while the pitta is still crisp and the salad is fresh and punchy.

Why I Love This Recipe
I made this fattoush salad for a quick lunch and it was honestly better than most restaurant versions I’ve had. It’s one of those recipes that proves how a few good ingredients, handled simply, can turn into something amazing. The char on the cucumbers was a game changer, and the sumac gives it this unexpected brightness I now crave in every salad.
Recipe Tips
- Char the onions well: Don’t rush this—caramelised edges give the salad depth.
- Peel and deseed cucumbers: Keeps the texture just right and avoids too much wateriness.
- Go colourful with the tomatoes: It’s visually stunning and adds natural sweetness.
- Toast the pitta last minute: Keeps them crisp until serving.
- Toss and serve immediately: This salad is all about freshness and crunch!
How To Store This Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Fattoush Salad
- RefrigerationvTransfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 1 day. Be aware the pitta will soften over time.
- Re-crisping If you’ve kept the pitta separate, you can quickly re-toast it in a pan or oven to revive the crunch.
- Dressing Tip You can make the dressing ahead and keep it in a jar for a day or two—just shake well before using.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Can I add herbs to this salad?
Totally! Fresh mint or parsley would be a lovely addition. - What’s a good alternative to sumac?
Try a bit of lemon zest and extra vinegar—it’s not quite the same, but still tasty. - Is this salad vegan?
Yes, completely plant-based and full of flavour! - Can I use another bread besides pitta?
Flatbread or even torn-up sourdough croutons work in a pinch. - What other vegetables could I grill?
Aubergine, courgette, or peppers would all be great here.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 383 kcal
- Fat: 18.6g
- Saturated Fat: 2.6g
- Protein: 9.1g
- Carbohydrates: 43.5g
- Sugars: 13.4g
- Salt: 1g
- Fibre: 8.2g
Try More Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Recipes:
- Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Fig Salad
- Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Charred Brussels
- Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Watermelon Salad
- Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Halloumi Salad
Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Fattoush Salad
Course: SaladsCuisine: Mediterranean4
servings10
minutes15
minutes383
kcalIngredients
1 heaped tbsp sumac
3 red onions
2 cucumbers
320g mixed cherry tomatoes
4 pittas
5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
Salt and black pepper
Directions
- Mix oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and sumac in a large bowl for the dressing.
- Grill onion rounds until soft and charred, then add to the dressing.
- Peel, deseed, and grill cucumbers, chop and add to the bowl.
- Quarter tomatoes and toss them in.
- Slice pittas and grill until crisp, then add and toss everything together. Serve immediately.