Bulgur pilaf is a nutritious and flavorful side dish that can also be enjoyed as a main meal.
Key points:
- Made with bulgur wheat, a nutritious grain higher in fiber than rice
- Customizable with vegetables, beans, or meat
- Quick and easy to prepare
- Can be eaten hot or cold
Have you ever wanted a simple yet delicious alternative to plain rice? Keep reading to learn about this tasty bulgur pilaf recipe!
What is Bulgur?
Bulgur is a type of whole wheat that has been parboiled, dried, and cracked into smaller pieces. It has:
- More fiber than brown rice
- Fewer calories and less fat
- A light, nutty flavor
Bulgur is commonly used in Middle Eastern dishes like tabbouleh salad. But it also works great in pilafs, veggie burgers, and more!
Recipe Ingredients
To make this easy bulgur pilaf, you’ll need:
- Fine bulgur wheat (#1 grade)
- Diced onions, tomatoes, and green peppers
- Chickpeas (or other beans/veggies)
- Tomato paste
- Cumin, salt, and pepper
That’s it! Just a few simple, affordable ingredients.
Cooking Steps
Photo credit – flickr
The full cooking instructions are:
- Sautรฉ the onions until soft and translucent
- Add tomato paste, chopped tomatoes, and green peppers
- Mix in the bulgur and seasonings until well-coated
- Stir in chickpeas (or substitute other beans/veggies)
- Add water, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes to fluff up
The bulgur absorbs the delicious flavors in just 10 minutes and a few easy steps!
Serving Suggestions
This versatile bulgur pilaf can be:
- Eaten on its own like rice pilaf
- Scooped up with warm pita bread
- Served as a side with meat, fish, or roasted veggies
- Packed for an easy, portable lunch
You can enjoy it hot, at room temperature, or cold. Top with olive oil, fresh parsley, onions, and olives.
The Takeaway
Give bulgur pilaf a try for a healthy, tasty change of pace! It’s simple to make yet full of fiber, plant-based protein, and fresh flavors. What an easy way to add nutritious variety to your meals!
Have you cooked with bulgur before? How else would you customize this pilaf? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Photo Credit – Pixabay