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    Home » Mediterranean recipes

    Turkish Bulgur Salad (Kisir)

    Published: Sep 3, 2019 · Modified: Jul 7, 2021 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

    2685 shares
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    An easy bulgur salad recipe that's perfect for any day. Made with bulgur, olive oil and herbs, this salad in ready in less than 30 minutes!

    An easy bulgur salad recipe that's made with bulgur wheat, herbs and olive oil. This Turkish bulgur salad is a great addition to any table. 

    Turkish cuisine is one of my favorite Mediterranean cuisines. It contains many fresh and healthy ingredients and is always bursting with so much flavor. This Turkish bulgur salad, just like Turkish potato salad, Turkish tomato salad and white bean salad is made with fresh ingredients and is so delicious, everyone will be coming back for seconds. 

    Table Of Contents:
    • About this recipe
    • Is bulgur healthy? 
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Additions and variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Notes and tips
    • More Salad Recipes
    • Step-by-Step Recipe

    About this recipe

    Turkish bulgur salad, also known as kisir is a popular Turkish salad made mainly with fine bulgur, same as what we use to make tabouli. It's popular all around Turkey and you can find it in every Turkish household.

    Like many other traditional recipes, families have their own specific kisir recipe that would probably be different from other. Whether it's the addition of a particular herb or vegetable, or a special spice, kisir can vary region to region. However, the base of kisir is bulgur, tomato paste and herbs. 

    Is bulgur healthy? 

    If you don't know much about bulgur, here is a small introduction. Bulgur is made from whole wheat kernels that are parboiled, dried and crackled. Bulgur is very healthy and is packed with fiber, and protein.

    Bulgur comes in two forms: coarse and find. Coarse bulgur is usually use to make bulgur pilaf whereas the fine version is used for salads or meals such as our favorite vegan lentil meatballs which is a healthy option for a vegan meal.

    Ingredients

    to make Turkish bulgur salad kisir your need bulgur, green onions, parsley and mint. You also need tomato paste, pomegranate molasses and olive oil .

    To make this delicious bulgur salad, you need the following ingredients: 

    • Bulgur: As the base of this salad, you need fine bulgur. This type of bulgur only needs to be soaked in some liquid and then it's ready to eat.
    • Tomato paste and pepper paste: Tomato paste is thick and has a dense color and flavor. Pepper paste is a Turkish specialty that adds a lot of color and flavor to any dish. You can find it at any Middle Eastern or Mediterranean shop.
    • Pomegranate molasses: A must for this recipe. It adds a bit of tanginess and a lot of flavor.
    • Herbs: You need green onions, parsley and mint for this recipe.
    • Olive oil: Always opt for quality extra virgin oil when it comes to salads.

    Instructions

    • Place the bulgur in a large bowl and pour boiling water on it. Give it a stir and cover it with a towel or a plate. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes until the water is fully absorbed. As you can see, you don't need to cook fine bulgur on stove top since it's partially cooked and has been crackled into fine grains. 
    • While the bulgur is being cooked, chop all the herbs and set the aside.
    • When the bulgur is ready, mix it with tomato paste, pepper paste, olive oil and pomegranate molasses. Mix it well to make sure it's completely incorporated. 
    • Next, add in the chopped herbs, salt and pepper. Stir well to combine and then cover with plastic wrap. refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. 
    Cook bulgur then add tomato paste and mix add pomegranate molasses and olive oil and spices. Add herbs and mix and serve.

    Additions and variations

    This is the basic kisir recipe that you can find all around Turkey. However, as I mentioned, there are other ingredients that can be added to this healthy bulgur salad. Some of the common additions are:

    • Red onion
    • White onion
    • Fresh dill
    • Dill pickles
    • Cucumbers
    • Tomatoes
    • Lettuce

    Serving suggestions

    Kisir is considered a mezze or an appetizer on a table. You can serve it with some fresh lettuce as part of a mezze platter with other dishes such as vegan red lentil meatballs, hummus, baba ganoush and cacik.

    I also love having kisir just as a main dish for dinner or a light lunch with some Mediterranean chicken, grilled chicken or even some beef shish kabob. You can also serve it as a topping for kumpir (Turkish stuffed potatoes) with pickled cabbage and ezme.

    serve kisir with fresh lettuce as a nice appetizer.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I make this salad in advance?  

    Yes, it's best to make kisir a few hours before serving, especially if you're making the basic version. You can make it a day in advance and keep it in the fridge so the flavors combine.
    If you would like to add vegetables such as tomatoes and cucumbers, add them just a few minutes before serving so the don't release their juice while chilling in the fridge.

    How to store the leftovers?

    Store the leftovers in an airtight glass container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. I don't suggest you freezing this salad because it might lose flavor and texture, especially if you've added fresh vegetables and herbs to the recipe. 

    What's the difference between kisir and tabouli?

    Tabouli is a very green salad with the base of chopped parsley and very little bulgur whereas kisir uses bulgur as the base and the herbs are added for more flavor.

    Homemade bulgur salad is healthy and can be served as a light lunch or appetizer.

    Notes and tips

    • Make sure you're using fine bulgur and not coarse bulgur for this salad recipe. Fine bulgur cooks faster and you don't need to cook it in a pot over heat. 
    • It's best to use fresh herbs to make this recipe. However, if fresh herbs are not available, use dried herbs. 
    • If you cannot find pomegranate molasses, please use 3 tablespoons lemon juice. Taste the salad and add more lemon juice if you like it tangier. 
    • You can find pepper paste at Mediterranean and Turkish shops. Make sure it's sweet and not hot. Pepper paste adds a nice color and flavor to this bulgur wheat salad. 

    More Salad Recipes

    • Burrata with Tomatoes and Peach
    • Turkish Smoky Eggplant Salad Recipe
    • Beet Salad Recipe With Feta And Zaatar
    • Ensalada Rusa (Russian Salad - Olivier Salad)

    Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

    Step-by-Step Recipe

    Turkish Bulgur Salad (Kisir) with Video

    Shadi HasanzadeNemati
    An easy bulgur salad recipe that's perfect for any day. Made with bulgur, olive oil and herbs, this salad in ready in less than 30 minutes!
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 25 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Appetizer, Salad
    Cuisine Mediterranean, Turkish
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 197 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cup fine bulgur
    • 2 ½ cup boiling water
    • 2 teaspoon tomato paste
    • 1 teaspoon sweet pepper paste see notes
    • 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
    • 1 cup green onions chopped
    • 1 cup parsley chopped
    • 1 cup fresh mint chopped
    • ⅓ cup olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Place bulgur in a large bowl and pour the boiling water on it. Stir well. Cover with a lid or a plate and let it sit for about 15 minutes until cooked.
    • Once the bulgur is cooked and cooled, fluff it using a fork.
    • To the bulgur, add tomato paste, pepper paste, olive oil and pomegranate molasses. Stir well so all bulgur grains are combined.
    • Add in chopped green onion, parsley and mint to the bulgur. Mix well.
    • Season well with salt and pepper.
    • Cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving.

    Video

    Notes

    • Make sure you're using fine bulgur and not coarse bulgur for this salad recipe. Fine bulgur cooks faster and you don't need to cook it in a pot over heat. 
    • It's best to use fresh herbs to make this recipe. However, if fresh herbs are not available, use dried herbs. 
    • If you cannot find pomegranate molasses, please use 3 tablespoons lemon juice. Taste the salad and add more lemon juice if you like it tangier. 
    • You can find pepper paste at Mediterranean and Turkish shops. Make sure it's sweet and not hot. Pepper paste adds a nice color and flavor to this bulgur wheat salad. If not available, simply use tomato paste.
    • Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 6 days. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 197kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 1gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 332mgPotassium: 247mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2037IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 66mgIron: 2mg
    Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gina

      July 01, 2021 at 5:59 am

      5 stars
      This was so tasty, really love the tomato flavor added to the bulgur!

      Reply
    2. Taryn

      June 30, 2021 at 10:49 am

      5 stars
      This was delicious. It was full of flavor and easy to make.

      Reply
    3. Statement

      October 28, 2019 at 11:25 am

      5 stars
      Kısır is the best wrap ever, especially the spicy version!!

      Reply
    4. Love Keil

      October 09, 2019 at 9:47 am

      5 stars
      This recipe was super delicious, cant wait to make it again for my friends now!

      Reply
    5. Love Keil

      October 09, 2019 at 9:47 am

      5 stars
      Wow! This recipe was super delicious, cant wait to make it again for my friends now!

      Reply
    6. wilhelmina

      October 09, 2019 at 9:13 am

      5 stars
      This was so tasty! We ate it as a light dinner.

      Reply

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    2685 shares