Bulgur Pilaf
14I’ve been making this side dish about once per week for, oh, 5 or 6 years now, so I decided I should probably share it with you.
I love bulgur and would venture to say it may be my favorite grain for many reasons. It has a slightly nutty flavor, and though it’s similar in size to couscous, has a little more chew and bite. It’s a whole grain that’s incredibly healthy, and takes a mere 15 minutes to make. A cup of cooked bulgur has about 60 fewer calories than brown rice but double the fiber (8g) and a little more protein, too (6g). And, quite honestly, it goes with…pretty much everything.
This is the most simple way I make it, which is just with a little onion and garlic, cooked in chicken broth, and topped with toasted almonds. The reason we have it so frequently (besides how quick it is) is that it’s both incredibly versatile and tasty.
Bulgur is also a great option for making one-dish meals or grain salads, too.
Bulgur Pilaf
1/3 cup slivered almonds
2 tsp. olive oil
2 tsp. butter
1/4 cup diced onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup medium grain bulgur
1.75 cups chicken broth
chopped parsley (optional)
Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the almonds and toast, stirring or tossing occasionally, until golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Set the almonds aside.
Add the olive oil and butter and once melted, stir in the onion. Cook until translucent and add the garlic. Add the bulgur and stir occasionally until bulgur is slightly toasted, a few minutes.
Pour in the chicken broth and add salt and pepper to taste; bring to a boil. Cover with a lid, reduce the heat to low and cook for about 15 minutes, until liquid has been absorbed and bulgur is cooked. (Small grain bulgur will take closer to 12 minutes and large grain closer to 16-17).
Fluff with a fork and top with the toasted almonds and chopped parsley, if desired.
I sometimes forget how much I love bulgur…until I buy a bag and then go crazy using it non-stop for weeks on end. It’s so great! I love how simple this pilaf is. The perfect, versatile side.
So fun! I have only made a pilaf with rice before, but am excited to try this version!
I love bulgur- i have some in my pantry and will definitely make this later (but with pine nuts…i don’t have almonds!) thanks for posting.
I love it with pine nuts, too! I’m just usually to cheap to use them since we eat this pretty often. 🙂
I buy them in bulk, so I only get what I need. Trader Joe’s has them for a reasonable price too!
btw- it came out really good!
Bulgur is one grain I haven’t gotten into much yet, and there’s no good reason for that! You’ve sold me; I need to start using it more often.
I always use bulgur for taboulleh but have never tried its as a side, thanks for the inspiration.
I love bulgur, especially in tabbouleh! Such a healthier option than brown rice, and much prettier too!
You know I’ve never really cooked with bulgur (although I have eaten it a lot). Love the simplicity of this Elly!
I’ve been wanting to try bulgur for quite some time but haven’t been able to find it at my grocery store. Finally came across it at an ethnic food store and planning on trying this recipe tomorrow!
I made this last week and it was awesome! I put an over easy egg over the leftovers and OH GOSH it put it over the top! I definitely recommend.
Glad you liked it!
Nice touch! This made three good servings, and we enjoyed the toasted almond-parsley combination. A nice and simple, easy to make side dish!
Glad you liked it, Hans!