5.0 from 9 votes
Kisir (Spicy Turkish vegan bulgur salad)
Kisir is a traditional vegetarian Turkish salad hailing from the Gaziantep region. This time-tested vegan recipe is a harmonious blend of hearty bulgur, tangy tomato and pepper pastes, and the sweet kiss of pomegranate molasses. The secret to Kisir lies in the balance of ingredients, providing a true taste of Turkey on your plate.
Prep Time
5 mins
Soaking
20 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 6 (yield: 8 cups)
Calories: 383 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
Turkish
Ingredients
- 2 cups fine bulgur
- 3 cups boiling water
- ¼ cup tatli biber salçası (Turkish pepper paste)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Aleppo pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- 2 scallions sliced
- 1 small red bell pepper diced, seeds discarded
- ½ cup flat-leaf parsley chopped
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon Coriander
To garnish:
- ½ cup hazelnuts toasted, roughly chopped
- 1 scallion (spring onion), thinly sliced
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
- ¼ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- fresh parsley leaves optional
- Thinly sliced red onion optional
Instructions
- Rinse the fine bulgur and let it soak in boiling water for 15-20 minutes with a plate covering the bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine Turkish pepper paste, tomato paste, Aleppo pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, olive oil, lemon juice, and pomegranate molasses to form a smooth paste.
- Mix in the paste along with the diced cucumber, chopped scallions, red bell pepper, flat-leaf parsley, cumin, and coriander to the bulgur.
- Garnish with toasted hazelnuts, thinly sliced scallion, pomegranate seeds, halved cherry tomatoes, and optional parsley and red onions.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- 🌾 Bulgur Soaking: Soak bulgur in boiling water. Don’t worry, you can’t over-soak it if you leave it too long, but let it hydrate covered for at least 20 mins. This also gives it time to cool down.
- 🌾
- 🎭 Flavor Harmony: Balance Turkish pepper paste, tomato paste, and pomegranate molasses; spice it up with Aleppo pepper or use aci biber salcasi in place of the mild red pepper paste. Tweak to your taste!
- 🎭
- 🌱 Creative Garnishes: Don't forget the garnishes! Follow my suggestions in the recipe or add flair with micro-greens, mint leaves, or fried shallots for a lovely presentation.
- 🌱
- 🍋 Zesty Citrus: If you want a more pronounced citrus flavor in the salad, add some freshly grated lemon zest or a pinch of sumac.
- 🍋
Nutrition Information
Calories
383kcal
(19%)
Carbohydrates
49g
(16%)
Protein
9g
(18%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
13g
Sodium
530mg
(22%)
Potassium
584mg
(17%)
Fiber
12g
(48%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
1405IU
(28%)
Vitamin C
43mg
(48%)
Calcium
55mg
(6%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6(yield: 8 cups)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 383
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 383kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Sodium | 530mg | 22% |
| Potassium | 584mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 12g | 48% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 1405IU | 28% |
| Vitamin C | 43mg | 48% |
| Calcium | 55mg | 6% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.