Get two new free healthy recipes each week. Sign Up

How To Cook Bulgur

Yesterday, after seeing my meal of the day, a reader asked how to make bulgur pilaf.  So, here’s more than you ever wanted to know about bulgur: Just like hulled barley, bulgur is another one of those perfect grains.  High in fiber and protein, and low in fat and calories, it has more than twice the fiber of even brown rice.

But most importantly, bulgur tastes super-yummy.Tossed with dried fruit and non-dairy milk (or apple juice) for a nutritious breakfast, mixed with spices for a filling side dish, eaten as Middle Eastern tabouli, or used as a stand-in for rice in a fried rice dish (such as in my Bug-a-Boo Bulgur recipe),… no matter what your taste buds crave, you can’t go wrong with this versatile grain.

bpil

Above: tomatoes, sauteed chard, smoked tofu, and “Bug-a-Boo” Bulgur .

But many people shy away from bulgur because they don’t know how to cook the grain.  I used to think that making bulgur was difficult, as I thought it involved pre-soaking the grains and then boiling for a long time, constantly watching to ensure that the contents of the pot didn’t bubble over. Well guess what: You do not need to mess with any of these steps to get perfectly-cooked bulgur!

How to: Perfect Bulgur Pilaf:

  1. Measure 1 serving of bulgur (40ish grams)  into a big pyrex-type dish. (I like light bulgur, as opposed to dark.)
  2. Add some salt. (I use 1/4 tsp)
  3. Add about a cup of water
  4. Cook in the microwave for 4 minutes, then leave to sit in the microwave for 15 more minutes.
  5. Either drain off any excess water or don’t drain, but cook for another 2 minutes and let sit for another hour, then put in the fridge (I use the second choice).
  6. Now add whatever you want!  Spices, veggies, raisins… go crazy! I like to add 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp pre-melted sbl, and a little more salt.

znyc 965

bulg

Same meal as yesterday’s, just on a different plate. Hope you enjoyed the bulgur tutorial.

Published on February 16, 2010

Meet Katie

Chocolate Covered Katie is one of the top 25 food websites in America, and Katie has been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Fox, The Huffington Post, and ABC's 5 O'clock News. Her favorite food is chocolate, and she believes in eating dessert every single day.

Learn more about Katie

Get Free Recipes

Don’t Miss Out On The NEW Free Healthy Recipes

Sign up below to receive exclusive & always free healthy recipes right in your inbox:

Chocolate Covered Katie The Healthy Dessert Blog Recipes

Popular Right Now

Reader Interactions

49 Comments

Leave a comment or reviewLeave a rating
  1. Bekah says

    hehe I love you Katie. I really do. Totally going to use that free sample thing! Most of the stuff is out of stock.. but I found walnut butter, which I’ve never tried before! 🙂

    And my mother sent me Artisana coconut butter in my birthday package to my dorm. Hollllaaaaa. Thought of you!

  2. Vanilla says

    How much is one serving in grams???? *dumb question* I don’t want to take risk with stuff that expand while cooking :p

  3. Brittany says

    How do you seasoned your greens? I LOVE collard greens and spinach cooked, but i never know how to season them for myself at home. Any secrets?

  4. even simpler says

    one part bulugur, two parts water, a bit of salt , bring to a boil, turn off heat, cover and wait about ten or fifteen minutes.

See More Comments

Leave A Reply

Get Free Recipes

Don’t Miss Out On The NEW Free Healthy Recipes

Sign up below to receive exclusive & always free healthy recipes right in your inbox:

Chocolate Covered Katie The Healthy Dessert Blog Recipes