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    Zen and Zaatar » Recipes » Middle Eastern

    Ful Medames, Syrian Style (Arabic Bean Salad) [Vegan, GF]

    Published: Jan 26, 2017 · Modified: Mar 30, 2025 by Zena | Zen and Zaatar · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

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    ful medames foul mudammas syrian fava bean chickpeas garbanzo breakfast salad arabic mediterranean vegan vegetarian recipe food blog zenanzaatar

    Ful medames is a traditional Middle-Eastern savory breakfast dish with fava beans! There are many ways to prepare it, but the Syrian style is as a bean salad with fresh tomatoes, lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, and sometimes tahini for extra creaminess. I love this style because it is refreshing, light, and perfect on its own or with warm pita bread.

    ful medames foul mudammas syrian fava bean chickpeas garbanzo breakfast salad arabic mediterranean vegan vegetarian recipe food blog zenanzaatar

    I always usually preferred savory breakfasts to sweet, and this is the perfect filling and simple breakfast option! It takes 15 minutes or less to prepare if you have canned chickpeas and fava beans on hand, and it is great to make in large portions for a Mediterranean brunch with friends or family.

    ful medames foul mudammas syrian fava bean chickpeas garbanzo breakfast salad arabic mediterranean vegan vegetarian recipe food blog zenanzaatar

    A typical Arabic breakfast consists of a spread of a variety of dishes, and of course, warm pita bread or baguette. On special occasions, for brunch, my family always serves a big plate of ful medames alongside hummus, fresh veggies, zaatar and olive oil, halawa for something sweet, and fresh bread.

    ful medames foul mudammas syrian fava bean chickpeas garbanzo breakfast salad arabic mediterranean vegan vegetarian recipe food blog zenanzaatar

    I hope you enjoy this dish as much as I do! Don't forget to comment below if you try this recipe or tag your recreations on Instagram @zenandzaatar!

    ful medames foul mudammas syrian fava bean chickpeas garbanzo breakfast salad arabic mediterranean vegan vegetarian recipe food blog zenanzaatar

    Recipe

    Ful Medames, Syrian Style (Arabic Bean Salad) Vegan, GF

    Zena Hassoun
    Ful medames is a simple savory Middle-Eastern breakfast dish! The Syrian way of serving it is as a fava bean and chickpea salad with fresh tomatoes and parsley. Perfect with warm pita bread.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine Middle Eastern
    Servings 4
    Calories 485 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 15 oz. can chickpeas
    • 2 15 oz. can fava beans
    • 2 large tomatoes
    • ½ bunch parsley
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ¼ cup lemon juice
    • ¼ teaspoon cumin
    • ¼-1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 2 cloves garlic minced (optional)

    Tahini sauce (optional)

    • 2 tablespoon tahini
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon water

    Instructions
     

    • Dice tomatoes. Remove stems from parsley stems and chop parsley leaves. Rinse and drain canned fava beans and chickpeas.
    • Bring the washed fava beans and chickpeas to a boil in a saucepan with ¼-1/2 cup water, simmer for 1 min, drain, and set aside. Alternatively, heat the washed beans in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, until hot, and set aside.
    • Prepare tahini sauce in a small bowl if using. Adding this will make the dish a little creamier.
    • Whisk tahini sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and combine. Taste and add salt as needed. Top with fresh chopped parsley and serve!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 485kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 21gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gSodium: 1674mgFiber: 16gSugar: 7g
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @zenandzaatar on social!

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    Comments

      5 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Wendy says

      April 05, 2018 at 6:54 am

      Quite yummy didn't have Tahiti so used yogurt can't wait to try with tahini

      Reply
      • Zena | Zena 'n Zaatar says

        April 25, 2018 at 10:31 am

        Great to know! Thanks for sharing 🙂

        Reply
      • Dympna says

        October 17, 2022 at 11:47 am

        I

        Brilliant Recipie As a Syrian ....I bring the beans to the boil then add rest of the ingredients it brings out more flavour

        Reply
    2. Eric Gullicksen says

      June 21, 2019 at 2:47 pm

      Thank you for specifying canned favas and showing the brand! Most are unaware that the "broad bean" we are accustomed to calling a fava is very different from the smaller, round fava bean North Africans and Levantines use for variations on this dish. The latter are completely unavailable here. Perhaps you know a source for seed beans, I would love to grow them.

      Reply
    3. Jacob says

      December 31, 2019 at 8:00 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing!

      Reply
    4. Jacob says

      December 31, 2019 at 8:00 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing!

      Reply
    5. Alma says

      April 01, 2021 at 6:09 pm

      I think this is the best one I've tried yet. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    6. Salargha says

      January 10, 2022 at 1:38 pm

      5 stars
      yummy. very good for my body, which ever since becoming vegan, struggled with protein intake. i eat before going to the gym to get energy

      Reply
    7. tamilla says

      January 10, 2022 at 1:48 pm

      5 stars
      yay, as a vegan this recipe helped me attain the protein I needed in place of meat. I have started eating this before going to the gym. I have even tried adding some cbd oil to help myself and it didn't change the taste at all.

      Reply
    8. Salargha says

      January 10, 2022 at 1:38 pm

      5 stars
      yummy. very good for my body, which ever since becoming vegan, struggled with protein intake. i eat before going to the gym to get energy

      Reply
    9. tamilla says

      January 10, 2022 at 1:48 pm

      5 stars
      yay, as a vegan this recipe helped me attain the protein I needed in place of meat. I have started eating this before going to the gym. I have even tried adding some cbd oil to help myself and it didn't change the taste at all.

      Reply
    10. Richard M. says

      April 02, 2022 at 8:25 pm

      Re: not being able to source suitable canned fava beans in the USA.
      "California Garden" are good. I use them here (Sydney, Australia), after a Lebanese-Australian restaurateur recommended them. I would think they'd be available there.

      Reply
    11. Andrew T. says

      May 15, 2023 at 4:44 pm

      Great recipe. You use the same exact ingredients I have always been accustomed to using to make this. To anyone reading this... This is the only recipe you need! Garlic lovers, definitely opt for the inclusion of minced garlic!

      Reply
      • Zena | Zen and Zaatar says

        June 22, 2023 at 1:44 pm

        So happy to hear you loved it!! Thanks for sharing 🙂

        Reply
    Headshot image of the author of Zen and Zaatar, Zena Hassoun, MS.

    Welcome!

    Hi, I’m Zena, a passionate home cook with a Master’s in Medical Health Sciences. I’ve been vegan for nearly a decade and love creating approachable, Mediterranean-inspired recipes that nourish your body and soul.

    More about me

    55+ Vegan Recipes for Real Life

    The cover image of my e-cookbook, with text overlay "Vegan is Delicious: 55+ nourishing, innovative, plant-based recipes to satisfy vegans and omnivores alike! by Zena Hassoun, M.S., creator of Zen and Zaatar."

    Tired of the same meals or relying on takeout? Vegan is Delicious is full of flavorful, plant-based recipes (with photos!) plus a 7-day meal plan to make home cooking feel effortless.

    Get it now!

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