The 20-minute Turkish Bulgur Salad that saves Busy days!

When life gets hectic, I reach for recipes like this: quick, wholesome, and packed with flavour. Kısır (pronounced kuh-sur) is a classic Turkish bulgur salad that comes together in just 20 minutes and tastes even better the next day. It’s light, zesty, and super versatile. One of my fav ways to eat it? Stuffed into romaine lettuce cups with an extra squeeze of lemon on top. It’s fresh, tangy & so satisfying.

What is Kısır?

Kısır is made with fine bulgur wheat, tomato paste, lemon juice, and fresh herbs like parsley and spring onion. It’s a staple in many Turkish households and varies slightly from region to region. Some people swear by adding pomegranate molasses & others keep it super simple. Either way, it’s a dish that’s bursting with Mediterranean flavour and is naturally plant-based.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fine bulgur (for kısır)

• 1 cup hot water (200 ml)

• 1 tea glass vegetable oil (125 ml)

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 1 tablespoon pepper paste

• 1 bunch parsley

• 3-5 green onions

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

  
  

Instructions

1. Place 2 cups of fine bulgur in a suitable bowl. Add 1 cup of hot water.

2. Stir and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let it sit until the bulgur absorbs the water.

3. Meanwhile, finely chop the pickled gherkins and green onions.

4. Heat 1 tea glass of vegetable oil in a small pan.

5. Add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste and 1 tablespoon of pepper paste, sauté for a few minutes, then remove from heat.

6. Transfer the softened bulgur into a large mixing bowl.

7. Add the prepared sauce, salt, and black pepper. Knead well with your hands until the bulgur and sauce are fully combined.

8. Once mixed, add the lemon juice, chopped green onions, gherkins, and parsley. Stir everything together.

9. After thoroughly mixing, your kısır is ready to serve! You can present it however you like.