• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cooking Gorgeous
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Contact Us
    • Media Mentions
  • Recipe Index
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Snapchat
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Cozy Soups
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Cozy Soups
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Cooking Gorgeous » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Bulgur Pilavi (Turkish Bulgur Rice Pilaf)

    Published: Aug 16, 2021 · Modified: Oct 8, 2022 by Ayla Clulee · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Bulgur Pilavi or Turkish Bulgur Rice Pilaf is a healthy side dish that pairs perfectly with grilled meat or chicken, kebabs, casserole dishes, and hearty stews.

    This Turkish cuisine staple is very easy to make with only a few ingredients and is ready in just half an hour.

    bulgur pilaf served with pickled vegetables

    Turkish Bulgur Rice Pilaf is the perfect accompaniment to most Turkish dishes such as Kuru Fasulye, Mediterranean Green Beans (Taze Fasulye), Inegol Kofte, Kadınbudu Köfte - Turkish Meatballs with Rice, or Lamb Shish Kebab.

    There are many different variations and the one with tomatoes is one of our favorites.

    Why This Recipe Works?

    • This Bulgur Pilav recipe is very easy to follow with step-by-step instructions and pictures.
    • You only need a few pantry ingredients you might already have in hand.
    • Bulgur Pilavı is a healthy yet delicious and perfect side dish to serve with grilled meat or casserole dishes.
    • You can freeze the leftovers for up to 3 months.
    • Bulgur Rice Pilaf is suitable for a low-calorie diet.
    • You can substitute the butter with olive oil and use vegetable stock to make vegan-friendly Bulgur Pilavı.

    What is Bulgur Wheat?

    Bulgur wheat is a whole grain made from cracked wheat and is widely used in Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisines for many dishes such as Kisir - Turkish Bulgur Salad, Icli Kofte (Turkish Kibbeh), and Tabbouleh (Lebanese Tabouli Salad).

    Bulgur wheat is delicious with a nutty flavor and texture and is nutritious.

    It is available in a variety of grinds such as fine, medium, coarse, and extra coarse.

    The coarse and extra coarse is perfect for making pilaf, and fine / medium is good for soup, salad, and koftas.

    Bulgur vs Quinoa

    Although these two nutritious and popular ingredients look quite similar, they are different in many ways.

    Bulgur is pre-cooked wheat and contains gluten. It is higher in fiber and has lower calories than quinoa but quinoa is richer in minerals and vitamins.

    It is also an antioxidant according to the latest research in Turkey.

    Bulgur is originally from the Middle East and is widely used in Turkey, the Balkans, and Middle Eastern countries.

    Quinoa is a seed and is gluten-free. It is originally from South America and is widely used in the US and South American countries.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

    Labelled picture of ingredients for bulgur rice pilaf
    • Bulgur - It is widely used in Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisines. Use coarse or medium-coarse bulgur for the best results.
    • Butter - It adds extra flavor and nuttiness to bulgur pilav. You can use olive oil for the vegan version.
    • Tomato paste - It is the staple of Turkish cooking. It adds an umami flavor to the dishes as well as a bright red color. You can find it in Turkish or Middle Eastern shops. You can also buy it from Amazon .
    • Sun-dried tomatoes - You can omit and add extra fresh tomatoes. It adds umami flavor to the pilaf.
    • Vermicelli or Orzo - A short type of pasta that is used for rice dishes or soups in Turkish cuisine. You can omit and add the same amount of extra bulgur wheat. You can buy online or Tel Sehriye (Vermicelli) from Amazon as well as from large supermarkets/Turkish shops.
    • Stock - I prefer using Easy Chicken Stock (Bone Broth) or Basic Homemade Vegetable Stock but you can use stock cubes if you don't have any stock in hand. Make sure you don't add too much salt as ready-made stocks and stock cubes contain salt already.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    This is a very simple, straightforward recipe and to achieve the best results, you need to follow a few simple steps:

    Wash the bulgur under running cold water in a fine sieve.

    That’s a necessary step for getting rid of any dust or preservatives.

    Let the bulgur drain before cooking.

    medium coarse bulgur wheat

    Melt the butter in a pan on medium heat and add orzo or vermicelli.

    Fry until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Butter burns quickly, so keep an eye on it!

    Sautéing the orzo or vermicelli in butter

    Stir in the tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and tomato paste.

    the tomatoes are added to vermicelli

    Add the bulgur to the pan and sauté for a few minutes until it's dry.

    the bulgur is added to the pan

    Add hot chicken or vegetable stock, and combine all nicely.

    Bring it back to a boil, lower the heat, and gently simmer with the lid on for 15 minutes or until the bulgur is soft.

    the stock is added to bulgur

    When the bulgur is cooked, take the pan off the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes with the lid off.

    Gently stir with a fork to make the bulgur fluffy before serving.

    bulgur pilaf served with pickled vegetables

    Top Tips From the Chef

    • Easy Chicken Stock (Bone Broth) or Basic Homemade Vegetable Stock is a great flavoring for pilaf dishes. Make sure the stock is hot before adding it to the bulgur.
    • Use coarse or very coarse bulgur for a fluffy and chewy texture. Using fine bulgur would make the pilaf mushy.
    • Cook the Bulgur Pilav with butter for an even nuttier taste.
    • When the bulgur is cooked, take the pan off the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes with the lid off.

    Serving Suggestions

    Turkish Bulgur Pilaf with Tomatoes complements most delicious Mediterranean dishes such as Lamb Shish Kebab, Turkish Lamb Stew With Chickpeas, Inegol Kofte, Izmir Kofte (Smyrna Meatballs), Musakhan - Sumac Chicken, Harissa Chicken, or Islim Kebabi (Aubergine Meatball Wraps).

    You can also serve this versatile dish as a main meal with a side of salad, a bowl of yogurt, or mixed pickled vegetables.

    bulgur rice pilaf served with Izmir kofte

    Recipe FAQs

    What is bulgur rice good for?

    Bulgur rice is packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and it's great for weight loss as it will make you feel fuller.

    What does bulgur taste like?

    Bulgur has a light and nutty taste with a crunchy texture when raw and a chewy texture when cooked.

    How to store the leftovers?

    The leftover bulgur pilaf would keep for up to 5 days when refrigerated in an airtight container. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months if you want to keep them for longer.

    Related Recipes

    Love bulgur? For other great bulgur recipes why not try:

    • Mujadara - Lebanese Lentils and Rice Recipe
    • turkish kisir salad
      Traditional Kisir Recipe (Spicy Turkish Bulgur Salad)
    • fellah Kofte
      Fellah Koftesi
    • Turkish Cabbage rolls served with lemon slices
      Lahana Sarmasi - Turkish Cabbage Rolls

    Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

    I hope you enjoy the process of making this delicious side dish Bulgur Rice Pilaf (Bulgur Pilavı) as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂 

    Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!

    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Save Recipe

    By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Cooking Gorgeous

    Bulgur Pilavi (Turkish Bulgur Rice Pilaf)

    Ayla Clulee
    Bulgur Pilavi or Turkish Bulgur Rice Pilaf is a healthy side dish that pairs perfectly with grilled meat or chicken, kebabs, casserole dishes, and hearty stews.
    5 from 10 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Turkish
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 324 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 kitchen scale
    • 1 Rubber spatula
    • 1 Measuring cups
    • 1 measuring spoons
    • 1 Sauce pan

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 tablespoon butter (40 grams)
    • 50 g vermicelli or orzo (2 ½ tbsp)
    • 1 large tomato (grated or finely chopped)
    • 40 g sundried tomato (finely chopped)
    • ½ tablespoon tomato paste
    • 270 g coarse bulgur (1 ½ cup)
    • 540 ml chicken stock or vegetable stock (hot) (3 cups)
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ⅓ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Wash the bulgur in a fine sieve with cold water and let it drain.
    • Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat.
    • Add orzo or vermicelli and fry until they turn golden brown.
    • Add the bulgur and stir until nicely combined for a few more minutes.
    • Add the tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, and chopped tomato, and sauté for a few minutes.
    • Pour in hot chicken stock or vegetable stock, add the seasoning and give it a good stir.
    • Put the lid on and bring it to a boil.
    • Let it simmer over low heat for 15 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed.
    • Let it rest for 10 minutes without opening the lid.
    • Stir it with a fork to make the rice fluffy before serving.

    Notes

    • Easy Chicken Stock (Bone Broth) or Basic Homemade Vegetable Stock is a great flavoring for pilaf. Make sure the stock is hot before adding it to the bulgur.
    • Use coarse or very coarse bulgur for a fluffy and chewy texture. Using fine bulgur would make the pilaf mushy.
    • Cook the bulgur pilaf with butter for an even nuttier taste.
    • When the bulgur is cooked, take the pan off the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes with the lid off.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 324kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 12gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 1184mgPotassium: 786mgFiber: 15gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 803IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cookingorgeous or tag #cookingorgeous!

    This post uses affiliate links. This means that if you click on them and then buy something, we get a small amount of commission to keep the site running, but it doesn’t cost you anything more.

    « Mercimek Kofte (Vegan Lentil Meatballs)
    Lamb Bolognese With Linguine »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. julia

      September 11, 2021 at 6:49 am

      5 stars
      So delicious and simple to make

      Reply
      • Ayla Clulee

        September 11, 2021 at 7:09 am

        Thank you Julia, it is indeed !

        Reply
    2. Ben Merriman-Johnson

      November 09, 2021 at 3:39 pm

      5 stars
      I didn’t have all the ingredients however the directions and the finish was superb. Definitely going out to get all the ingredients. For a great tasting meal.

      Reply
      • Ayla Clulee

        November 09, 2021 at 4:38 pm

        Hi Ben
        I am glad you enjoyed it 🙂

        Reply
    3. Nick

      April 20, 2022 at 12:58 pm

      5 stars
      Very good and easy to make!

      Reply
    4. Christine

      April 24, 2022 at 11:47 am

      5 stars
      This is a great idea for a side dish! I love bulgur and this looks delicious. Can't wait to try your recipe.

      Reply
    5. Ruby

      May 11, 2022 at 11:36 am

      5 stars
      Awesome! This was so delicious that we started eating it without the side dishes!

      Reply
    6. Cara

      May 17, 2022 at 4:23 pm

      5 stars
      Such a fantastic bulgur pilaf! I absolutely love that colour from the tomato and all the tips to help make it perfect.

      Reply
    7. Sharon

      June 08, 2022 at 5:49 pm

      5 stars
      This was so delicious and even enjoyed by my fussy kids! Thank you.

      Reply
    5 from 10 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Cooking Gorgeous, where delicious easy-to-follow recipes and culinary inspiration await you! My name is Ayla Clulee, a passionate and professional Cordon Bleu-trained chef, recipe developer, and food content creator with decades of experience. I am based in the UK, and I'm thrilled to have you here.

    The kitchen is my happy place and cooking is my therapy.

    More about me →

    Soup Recipes

    • Greek Chicken Lemon Soup - Avgolemono
    • Arpa Şehriye Çorbası - Turkish Orzo Soup
    • Turkish Tarhana Soup - Tarhana Çorbası
    • Homemade Turkish Tarhana Powder Recipe
    • Moroccan Harira Lamb and Chickpeas Soup
    • chicken and dumpling soup served in a bowl
      Easy Chicken and Dumpling Soup Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy
    • FAQs

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Cooking Gorgeous

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.