Give Recipe logo

menu icon
search icon

Published: · Modified: by

Turkish Bulgur Recipes for Any Occasion

Is bulgur a staple in your pantry? It definitely is in ours, just like in most Turkish homes. It’s one of those ingredients that can save the day because there are so many things you can make with it. So we’ve put together some of our favorite Turkish bulgur recipes in one place.

Collage of Turkish bulgur recipes including kısır, bulgur pilaf, mercimek köftesi and ezogelin soup.

In Türkiye, we use bulgur for much more than pilaf.

We never feel stuck for meal ideas when we have a few bags of bulgur in the pantry. Whether you need an easy family dinner, a warming soup or a dish to share with friends, there’s always something you can make with it.

Are you new to bulgur? We have a whole post about the different types of bulgur wheat, how to use them and how to cook them. Check out our guide to bulgur if you’d like to learn more.

Now, let’s get to the bulgur dishes we cook at home.

Tomato Bulgur Pilaf

This is probably the bulgur dish we Turks make most often. Tomato bulgur pilaf goes well with almost anything, but we especially love it with stews and other saucy dishes. And it doesn’t always have to be a side dish. We often enjoy a bowl of it with some salad or yogurt on the side for a simple, light meal.
GET THE RECIPE
A plate of Turkish bulgur pilaf with red and green peppers, garnished with parsley, served in a white scalloped dish with a fork.

Kısır (Turkish Bulgur Salad)

This is one of those dishes that instantly makes us think of get-togethers in Türkiye. It’s made with fine bulgur, lots of fresh herbs, tomato and pepper paste, and plenty of lemon and pomegranate molasses. We love serving it when friends come over, usually with a glass of Turkish tea on the side.
GET THE RECIPE
A bowl of Turkish kisir made with fine bulgur, herbs, tomatoes, and cucumbers, served with lemon wedges, lettuce leaves, and cucumber slices.

Mercimek Koftesi (Turkish Lentil Balls)

This is another favorite for get-togethers, but we happily make it just for ourselves too. Red lentils and fine bulgur come together with onions, tomato paste, spices and fresh herbs, then everything is shaped by hand. We always serve them with lettuce leaves and plenty of lemon for squeezing over the top.
GET THE RECIPE
Mercimek kofte served with lettuce leaves and lemon slices on an oval plate.

Cig Kofte

This is another great example of what you can do with fine bulgur. Our version is meatless, like the çiğ köfte you’ll find almost everywhere in Türkiye today. The bulgur is kneaded with tomato and pepper paste, spices and other seasonings until soft and full of flavor. Wrap it in a lettuce leaf, add a good squeeze of lemon and enjoy!
GET THE RECIPE
A plate of Turkish-style vegan çiğ köfte arranged neatly with fresh parsley and lemon wedges, ready to serve.

Chicken Wings with Bulgur (One-Pan Dinner)

This one comes straight from Zerrin’s Turkish mom and is a perfect way to turn bulgur into a complete family meal. We cook the chicken wings first, then cook the bulgur in the same pan, so it soaks up all the flavor left behind. It’s simple, filling and especially handy when you want to get dinner on the table without making several different dishes.
GET THE RECIPE
Chicken wings with bulgur served with Turkish pickled red cabbage.

Ezo Gelin Soup (Turkish Lentil and Bulgur Soup)

Bulgur in a soup? Absolutely! Ezogelin is a Turkish classic made with red lentils, bulgur and rice, with dried mint giving it its signature flavor. It’s thick, comforting and filling, and one of our favorite soups to make when the weather gets cold.
GET THE RECIPE
Ezogelin soup topped with red pepper flakes and dried mint in a white bowl, a spoon inside it and extra spices behind it.

Turkish Boza

And yes, you can even drink bulgur! Boza is a traditional fermented drink we enjoy in Türkiye during the colder months. It’s thick, slightly tangy and sweet, and we always serve it the traditional way, with cinnamon and roasted chickpeas on top.
GET THE RECIPE
A glass cup of Turkish boza topped with cinnamon, roasted chickpeas, and mint leaves, served on a wooden board with a spoon.

Sign up for the FREE Give Recipe Newsletter to get the new recipes into your inbox!

And stay in touch with us on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram for all the latest updates.

You Might Also Like:

«
»

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. sami says

    Amazing list of recipes. Not all of them are equally easy, but I'm sure they are all tasty. Already tried your bulgur salad and bulgur pilaf. They were both incredibly tasty! Thank you!

    Reply