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White serving bowl filled with bulgur pilavi.
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5 from 11 votes

Bulgur Pilavi (Turkish Pilaf)

Bulgur Pilavi is a traditional Turkish recipe made with bulgur wheat, tomatoes, onions, and spices. It's topped with fresh herbs and can be enjoyed as a side dish. It's super flavorful, nutritious, and vegan!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Remove from Heat and Cover30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Turkish
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 8
Calories: 171kcal
Author: Alison Corey

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoon red pepper paste
  • 6 ounce tomato paste
  • 2 lemons juiced
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 cups bulgur
  • 3 scallions chopped
  • 2 tablespoon parsley roughly chopped

Instructions

  • Heat a large sauté pan or pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil and the diced onions. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until translucent.
  • Add the salt, chili paste, lemon juice, and tomato paste to the pan with the onions. Stir until everything is combined. Allow the mixture to warm and bubble.
  • Add 4 cups of water to the pan. Whisk together until the tomato paste mixture is completely incorporated into the water. Bring to a boil.
  • Remove the pan from the heat. Add the bulgur. Stir to combine. Cover and allow to sit for 30 minutes.
  • Fluff with a fork or spoon. Transfer to a serving dish. Top with fresh chopped parsley and green onions.

Video

Notes

Tips for Making Bulgur Pilavi
  • Use medium coarse bulgur.
  • Be sure to remove the pilavi from the heat while it is covered. The bulgur does not need to be over heat to cook. If you leave it on top of heat it will burn on the bottom.
  • Eliminate the red pepper paste if you don't want any spice. Note that the spice is mild.
Storing Bulgur Pilavi
Refrigerate: Allow the bulgur to come to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze: You can also freeze this pilaf! Freeze without the fresh herbs added. Allow it to come to room temperature. Transfer it to a freezer-safe airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Defrost/Reheat: When ready to defrost transfer to the refrigerator to defrost overnight. Enjoy it cold, or transfer it to the microwave to warm. Top with fresh parsley and chopped scallions.

Nutrition

Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 473mg | Potassium: 444mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 465IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg