Best Bulgur Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN BULGUR SALAD

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring broth and bulgur to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until tender and broth is almost absorbed. Remove from the heat; let stand at room temperature, uncovered, until broth is absorbed. , In a small bowl, whisk the oil, lemon juice, parsley, salt and pepper. , In a large serving bowl, combine the bulgur, beans, tomatoes, cucumber and onions. Drizzle with dressing; toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese and pine nuts.

BULGUR PILAF WITH CHICKPEAS AND HERBS

Steps:

• Drain the soaked chickpeas, and place in a pot with 1 quart water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer one hour. Add salt to taste and continue to simmer for 30 minutes to an hour, until the chickpeas are tender.
• Place the bulgur in a 2-quart bowl. Place a strainer over the bowl, and drain the chickpeas so that the hot broth covers the bulgur. Set the chickpeas aside. Cover the bowl, and allow the bulgur to sit until fluffy, about 20 to 30 minutes. Strain and press out excess liquid.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet, and add the scallions. Cook, stirring, until tender, two or three minutes. Stir in the garlic, and continue to cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Stir in the bulgur and chickpeas. Add the herbs and the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and toss together. Remove from the heat, add lemon juice and pepper, taste and adjust salt. Add more lemon juice if desired. Serve hot or room temperature.

HOW TO COOK BULGUR

Steps:

• Combine bulgur, 1 1/2 cups water, salt, and a drizzle of oil in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook over low heat until tender, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Use immediately, or spread on a rimmed baking sheet to let cool.

HERBED BULGUR-LENTIL PILAF

Steps:

• Place lentils and 2 cups broth in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil 5 minutes, then reduce to a simmer and cook until lentils are tender and most liquid is dissolved, about 30 minutes. Drain any remaining liquid. While lentils are cooking, place bulgur and remaining 2 cups chicken broth in another small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until most liquid is dissolved and bulgur is tender, about 13 to15 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Add the bulgur to the lentils.
• Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add peppers and cook until peppers are tender, another 5 minutes. Add the onion mixture to bulgur-lentil mixture. Stir in parsley, basil, chives, lemon zest, lemon juice remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper and toss to incorporate.

BULGUR SALAD

Steps:

• Toast 2 cups bulgur in 1 to 2 tablespoons each butter and olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat until golden and crackly. Add 4 cups water and season with salt; cover and simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the bulgur is just tender, about 20 minutes. Cut a seedless cucumber into chunks; toss with 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar, 2 teaspoons olive oil, 1/4 cup chopped dill and a small handful of pitted, halved black olives. Serve the cucumbers over the bulgur. Photograph by Tina Rup

BULGUR WHEAT SALAD

Steps:

• Place bulgur in a large bowl; stir in water. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. , In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice, oil, garlic and salt. Stir into bulgur. Add parsley. , Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Just before serving, stir in the tomatoes and onions.

SIMPLE BULGUR PILAF

Steps:

• Heat olive oil and saute onions until soft.
• Turn heat up to high and add mushrooms, stirring frequently, until mushrooms are cooked and nicely browned.
• Add bulgur, stir and cook briefly, 1-2 minutes.
• Add water, mix once, then cover and cook over low heat until all water is absorbed, about 25 minutes.
• Fluff briefly before serving.

BULGUR AND LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the lentils, onion, garlic and bay leaf in a saucepan, and add 2 to 3 cups water, enough to cover by an inch or two. Bring to a gentle boil, add salt to taste, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 25 minutes until tender but intact. Remove from the heat. Remove and discard the onion, garlic cloves and bay leaf. Drain.
• Meanwhile, place the bulgur in a medium bowl, and add salt to taste. Cover with 2 cups hot or boiling water, and allow to sit for 20 to 25 minutes until most of the water is absorbed. Drain through a strainer and squeeze out the water.
• Combine the lentils, bulgur, scallions, radishes, parsley and mint in a large bowl or salad bowl. Whisk together the lemon juice, cumin, salt and pepper to taste, and the olive oil. Toss with the salad, and serve.

BULGUR PILAF WITH DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS

Steps:

• Place the apricots and prunes in a bowl, cover with water and soak overnight or for several hours. Place a strainer over a bowl, and drain the dried fruit. Cut in thin slices.
• Measure out 2 cups of the soaking water (or add enough water to make 2 cups), and bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the bulgur, and stir constantly for a few minutes until the bulgur smells toasty. Add the salt, dried fruit and water, and bring to a boil. Boil for five minutes, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for eight to 10 minutes until the water has been absorbed. Remove from the heat, cover with a clean dish towel and place a lid over the towel. Allow the bulgur to sit for 15 minutes.
• Spoon the bulgur into a serving dish, top with the nuts and serve with plain yogurt on the side.

SOUR CHERRY BULGUR SALAD

Steps:

• Add 2 cups water to a medium saucepot. Season with salt and drizzle in some olive oil, then stir in the bulgur. Bring a boil over high heat, then cover, lower to a simmer and cook until the grains are tender, about 1 hour. Allow bulgur to come to room temperature.
• Combine the bulgur wheat with the cherries, parsley, walnuts, red onion and dill in a large bowl, reserving about 1 tablespoon of each herb for garnish. Gently mix to combine. Add the extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice and grated garlic and season to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with feta, reserved herbs and a drizzle of olive oil.

FRUIT AND NUT BULGUR PILAF

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat; cook and stir bulgur until toasted. Stir in salt, pepper and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until tender and liquid is almost absorbed, 10-12 minutes., Stir in 1/3 cup each of the almonds, raisins, cranberries and apricots. Serve with the remaining almonds and fruit.

MEDITERRANEAN BULGUR BOWL

Steps:

• In a 6-qt. stockpot, combine the first 4 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until tender, 10-12 minutes. Stir in garbanzo beans; heat through., Remove from heat; stir in spinach. Let stand, covered, until spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients. Serve warm, or refrigerate and serve cold.

BULGUR SALAD WITH FETA AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix bulgur with 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/2 cup boiling water. Cover; let sit until bulgur is tender (but still slightly chewy), about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small dry skillet over very low heat, toast pine nuts, tossing constantly, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice and oil. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Drain bulgur in a fine-mesh sieve, pressing to remove excess liquid; return to bowl. Add feta, shallot, parsley, cucumber, and half the dressing; season with salt and pepper. In another bowl, toss lettuce with remaining dressing. Top with bulgur mixture and pine nuts.

TOASTED-BULGUR PILAF

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bulgur, and toast, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Stir together toasted bulgur, stock, 3/4 cup water, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer until all liquid is absorbed and bulgur is tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Discard bay leaf and cinnamon stick (or, if desired, leave in as a garnish). Stir in almonds and oil; season with salt and pepper.

CHICKEN BULGUR SKILLET

Steps:

• In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, cook chicken in oil over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink. Remove and keep warm. In the same skillet, cook and stir the carrots, onion, nuts, caraway seeds and cumin until onion starts to brown, 3-4 minutes. , Stir in bulgur. Gradually add broth; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; add the raisins, salt, cinnamon and chicken. Cover and simmer until bulgur is tender, 12-15 minutes.

CABBAGE WITH TOMATOES, BULGUR AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy lidded skillet or Dutch oven. Add the onion, and cook, stirring often, until tender, about five minutes. Stir in a pinch of salt and the paprika. Cook, stirring, until the onion is thoroughly tender and infused with paprika, three to four minutes.
• Add the cabbage, and cook, stirring, for three minutes or until it begins to wilt. Stir in the tomatoes, sugar and vinegar, and add salt to taste. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes until the cabbage is thoroughly tender.
• Stir in the dill and the water, and bring a to a boil. Add the bulgur and chickpeas. Stir to combine. When the water comes back to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer 10 minutes or until all of the water has been absorbed. Remove from the heat, taste and adjust seasonings, and serve hot or at room temperature.

BULGUR, SPINACH AND TOMATO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the bulgur and salt to taste, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, until the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat, uncover and place a clean dish towel over the pan, then replace the lid. Allow to sit undisturbed for 10 minutes or longer. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Pulse the tomatoes with their juice in a food processor. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a large, wide skillet or a shallow 3-quart saucepan and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds, and add the tomatoes, sugar, salt to taste, and allspice or cinnamon. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the tomatoes have cooked down to a fragrant sauce, about 20 minutes. Taste, adjust salt and add freshly ground pepper.
• Steam the spinach until it wilts, 1 to 2 minutes, rinse briefly with cold water and squeeze out excess water. Do this by the handful to get out all the water. Chop coarsely. Add to the bulgur. Add the mint and the chickpeas if using, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce and toss together.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 2-quart gratin or baking dish. Spread the bulgur mixture in the dish in an even layer. Top with the remaining tomato sauce. Sprinkle on the cheese. Drizzle on the last tablespoon of olive oil. Bake 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.

SPICED BULGUR PILAF WITH FISH

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a lidded flameproof casserole dish. Tip in the onions and cook for 10 mins until soft and golden. Add the carrots and cumin, and cook for 2 mins more. Stir through the harissa, bulgur and apricots, pour over the stock and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for 7 mins.
• Add the spinach and stir through until just wilted. Arrange the fish fillets on top, pop a slice of lemon on each and season. Replace the lid and cook for 8 mins, keeping over a low-ish heat.
• Turn heat to low and cook for 7-8 mins more until the fish is cooked through and the bulgur is tender. Season with pepper and serve.

BULGUR WHEAT AND LENTIL PILAF

Steps:

• Wash and pick over the lentils. Place them in a saucepan with the water, bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain the lentils immediately and set them aside.
• Put the chicken stock in the saucepan, bring to a boil, add the bulgur wheat, salt and drained lentils and bring to a boil again. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil over low heat in a large, preheated skillet. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring often, for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Add the bulgur-lentil mixture to the skillet and toss gently to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with a green salad.

BULGUR AND GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, soak bulgur in cold water for 15 to 30 minutes, or until soft. Set aside.
• meanwhile, heat a heavy non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef and saute for 4 to 5 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Drain fat from pan.
• Add onions to skillet and cook until tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Drain bulgur and add to meat mixture with cilantro, dill weed, salt, pepper, chipped tomatoes, vegetable juice and lemon juice. Stir gently.
• Place mixture in a 10 x 10 x 2 inch baking dish or oven proof casserole dish.
• Bake at 350 uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes or until heated thoroughly.