Name: Turkish Bulgur Salad
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 cups Bulgur Wheat (dry (I used Turkish Bulgur)); 3 cups boiling water; 1/4 cup tomato paste; 2 tablespoons roasted red pepper paste; 1 tsp. Salt (or more to taste); 1/4 cup olive oil (I used Turkish Olive Oil); 1 cup cucumber (diced); 1 red bell pepper (diced); 3/4 cup green onion (chopped); 1/3 cup fresh parsley (chopped); 3/4 tsp. Cumin powder or 7 spice; 1 lemon (juiced); 2 tbps. pomegranate molasses; 1/3 cup purple onion (optional); 2 tablespoons Jalapeño Pepper (optional if you like spicy)

This Turkish Bulgur Salad (Aka Kisir) is going to be your new favorite salad! It’s unlike other salads because it’s mostly made from Bulgur Wheat, which is very filling. It’s super healthy, very delicious and can be eaten alone or with a side of protein. This vegan salad is perfect for make ahead meals and is full of fresh and vibrant flavors.

This hearty and filling bulgur wheat salad is a great accompaniment to mains like Shish Kabobs and Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken. You can also enjoy it as a make ahead lunch to grab during busy days.

This salad needs very few ingredients. You will need some green onions, parsley, red bell pepper and cucumbers. Some people add purple onions in there, but I serve it over on the sides because my kids don’t like onions and they would have to pick them out. But you can totally add it. If you like this salad to have a spicy kick to it, add in some chopped jalapeños.

It’s so delicious and full of flavor, I can’t wait for you all to try this!

What is bulgur wheat?

Bulger Wheat is one of the most popular whole grains in the Middle East. It is made from dried wheat, commonly durum wheat. Bulgur originated in the Middle East and Mediterranean Basin so it’s a key ingredient in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes.

How to prepare bulgur wheat

For this recipe I used a Turkish Bulgur brand called Reis, which is available at Walmart online or you can also find them on amazon too. Since the bulgur wheat has already been parboiled and dried before packaging, it does not require to be cooked.

You can soak 1 cup of bulgur with 1.5 cups of boiling water and cover for 30 minutes for it to soften up. Mix occasionally (2-3 times). Most people do 1 cup bulgur for 2 cups of boiling water and then drain the excess water later. I don’t like that because I don’t like the bulgur to be mushy and wet. I find that 1.5 cup of boiling water work best.

How To Make Turkish Bulgur Salad (Kisir)

Heat the olive oil in a skillet (I used a Turkish Brand called Yudum Egemden) and pan sear the tomatoes and pepper paste with the salt for a few minutes on low. This will allow the tomato paste to cook and bring out a better flavor before adding in the bulgur.

Remove from heat and add in the bulgur, mixing to coat well with the tomato sauce. Let it cool for about 10 minutes.

In a bowl ,combine all the salad ingredients together, and add in the bulgur. Squeeze the juice of one lemon, drizzle the pomegranate molasses (optional) and add in the cumin or 7 spice (which ever you want to use). I used cumin powder.

Mix everything together and taste to see if you prefer adding more salt. You can then serve it with some other side options like lettuce, olives, fresh tomatoes, chopped radish, onions or a side of protein.

Recipe Notes and Tips

Don’t skip soaking the bulgur. It will take between 20 an 30 minutes and will require a couple of stirs. The grains should be soft and tender, not chewy.
Avoid using coarse or extra-coarse bulgur, since the cooking instructions are different. If that’s what you have then be sure to follow the directions on the packet to prepare it.
Make it ahead of time. Once the salad has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to an air tight container and it will keep well for 3 days in the fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bulgar wheat nutritious?

Not only is bulgur tasty and quick to prepare but it is also very nutritious. It maintains more nutritional value than more refined whole grain products because it’s a minimally processed grain. Bulgur is rich in fiber so it has a positive impact on heart health, weight loss, blood sugar control and digestive health. Bulgur comes in different grinds, from fine to very coarse, the coarse having the most nutritious value.

Do you serve it warm or cold?

You can serve this salad as soon as you have made it and it is warm. Most eat this salad cold, so you can chill it as well before serving. The salad will last for a couple of days in the fridge, so never throw away your leftovers. It tastes supper yummy cold! I often make a big batch to enjoy for weekday lunches.

Is it gluten free?

Bulgur is a wheat product, so if you or anyone in your family is sensitive to gluten or wheat than it is best to avoid it. You can replace the bulgur with certified gluten-free couscous or even rice, I promise you it will still be delicious!

Enjoy this delicious and healthy Aka Kisir with your family and friends, and be sure to make extra so that you can enjoy it in the week! It’s great for a side to serve at cookouts and pot lucks and I love how colorful and fresh it is!

If you would like to learn more about Turkey and more of their food, visit TurkeyDTP.

More Easy Side Dish Recipes

I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you including this delicious and simple Turkish Bulgur Salad recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, and share it with your friends and family!

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Turkish Bulgur Salad