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4.7 from 330 votes

Turkish Bulgur Pilaf Recipe

Turkish style bulgur pilaf is a classic hearty and healthy side dish dish that is very easy to make. It's a great alternative to rice and can be served with many dishes. 

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 340 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean , Turkish

Ingredients

  • 2 cups bulgur coarse
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 green pepper diced
  • 3 roma tomatoes chopped
  • 1 1/2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 3 1/2 cup water

Instructions

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  1. Place the bulgur in a bowl and rinse a few times. Set it aside.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion until translucent and then add the minced garlic. Cook for a minute. 
  3. Add in the diced green pepper and cook for a few minutes until it softens. 
  4. Add in the chopped tomatoes and stir well. Cook until they start releasing their juice. 
  5. Add the tomato paste and stir well so it combines with the other ingredients. 
  6. Add the salt and pepper and add in the rinsed bulgur. Stir well. 
  7. Turn the heat to medium high and add in the water. Once it comes to a simmer, lower the heat to medium, cover with a lid and cook for about 20-25 minutes until the water is almost completely evaporated. 
  8. Wrap the lid in a clean kitchen towel and place it on the pot. Turn the heat to medium low and cook for another 10 minutes. 
  9. Turn the heat off the let the bulgur sit for 5 minutes untouched, then fluff it with a fork and serve. 

Notes

  • As mentioned before, bulgur comes in different sizes. To make Turkish bulgur pilaf, you should look for coarse bulgur. As for the color, you might see both light and dark varieties available. I suggest you choose the lighter one. 
  • Bulgur absorbs water as it cooks and it becomes fluffy. Check out the water while cooking the bulgur and add more water, 1/3 cup at a time if you feel that it's not cooked yet. 
  • Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply microwave or heat on the stove top over medium low heat. 
  • You can always add more vegetables to bulgur such as mushrooms, corn or green peas.

Nutrition Information

Calories 340kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 62g (21%) Protein 10g (20%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 366mg (15%) Potassium 574mg (16%) Fiber 15g (60%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 589IU (12%) Vitamin C 35mg (39%) Calcium 51mg (5%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 340

% Daily Value*

Calories 340kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 62g 21%
Protein 10g 20%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 366mg 15%
Potassium 574mg 12%
Fiber 15g 60%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 589IU 12%
Vitamin C 35mg 39%
Calcium 51mg 5%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.