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Bulgur pilaf in a bowl.
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4.91 from 22 votes

Bulgur Pilaf with Turkey and Apples

Bulgur pilaf is a healthy, delicious, one-pan recipe. With ground turkey, apples and walnuts, it’s a complete meal that’s not only good for you, it’s also filling and very tasty!
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 395kcal
Author: Jolina

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp allspice
  • ½ tsp ground cloves
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 medium red or yellow bell pepper diced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups uncooked coarse bulgur
  • 2 cooking apples peeled, cored and shredded, see note
  • 1 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 apple cored and diced
  • 1 cup walnuts chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, mix all spices until combined. Set aside.
    2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp nutmeg, ½ tsp allspice, ½ tsp ground cloves
  • In a large skillet on medium high heat, stir onions and bell peppers in olive oil for 4-5 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
    1 medium onion, 2 medium red or yellow bell pepper, 3 tbsp olive oil
    Onions and bell peppers sautéed in oil.
  • Place ground turkey in the same pan and brown until almost all the liquid from the meat has evaporated. Season with salt and pepper.
    1 lb ground turkey, salt, pepper
    Ground turkey in a pan.
  • Put back onions and bell pepper in pan. Add spices, garlic and tomato paste. Stir until combined.
    4 cloves garlic, 3 tbsp tomato paste
    Turkey mixture.
  • Add bulgur, shredded apples and stir.
    2 cups uncooked coarse bulgur, 2 cooking apples
    Coarse bulgur and shredded apples added to pot.
  • Then add crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
    1 14 oz can crushed tomatoes, 2 cups chicken broth
    Chicken broth and crushed tomatoes added to pot.
  • Lower the temperature and simmer for another 15 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed and the bulgur is cooked.
    Pilaf mixture in a pot.
  • Add diced apples, chopped walnuts and stir to combine.
    1 apple, 1 cup walnuts
    Apples and walnuts added to cooked bulgur.
  • Remove from heat and allow to rest for a few minutes. Serve with chopped parsley.
    1 tbsp fresh parsley
    Freshly cooked bulgur pilaf in a pot.

Video

Notes

  1. We like to use apples that are slightly tangy and don’t get too mushy when cooked. We default to honey crisp but you can definitely use any variety you prefer for cooking.
  2. Bulgur is supposed to have a bit of bite to it when cooked. If you check and it still feels too al dente after all your liquid has been absorbed, add a bit of hot water, fluff it up, cover the pot, and allow it to rest some more.
  3. See post for more tips, FAQs and step-by-step photos.

Nutrition

Calories: 395kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 665mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1131IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg