Kısır – bulgur salad with vegetables and pomegranate Recipe
Kısır is a refreshing salad made from fine bulgur, fresh vegetables, herbs, and lemon juice, often served in Turkey at tea gatherings with friends. It’s a bit like Middle Eastern tabbouleh, but more tomato-forward and slightly spicy. It works perfectly as a light lunch or a colorful side for a barbecue.
This kısır brings together the freshness of herbs, the tang of lemon, and the sweetness of pomegranate in one colorful bowl. The grains soak up a rich tomato and pepper dressing, making the salad deeply flavorful while still light and refreshing.
Chef's tips
Use fine bulgur specifically for salads, as it softens quickly with just hot water. Let the bulgur absorb the dressing while still warm so the flavors penetrate better. Don’t skip chopping the vegetables quite small – it gives the salad its characteristic texture and makes every bite balanced.
How to serve
Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature. Arrange on a large platter lined with crisp lettuce leaves and let everyone scoop portions into small bowls. It’s great alongside grilled halloumi, chicken skewers, or a mezze spread with hummus and olives.
Ingredients
- fine bulgur - 200 g
- water boiling, to soak the bulgur - 250 ml
- tomato paste - 1.5 tablespoons
- pepper paste optional, you can use extra tomato paste instead - 1 tablespoon
- olive oil - 4 tablespoons
- lemon juice freshly squeezed - 3 tablespoons
- cucumber medium - 1 piece
- tomatoes firm, salad tomatoes - 2 pieces
- red bell pepper sweet - 1 piece
- spring onion with green tops - 4 pieces
- flat-leaf parsley finely chopped - 1 bunch
- fresh mint chopped leaves - 2 tablespoons
- pomegranate seeds optional, for sprinkling - 80 g
- salt to taste
- hot paprika powder or chili flakes, to taste - 0.5 teaspoons
Preparation
- Put the bulgur into a heatproof bowl. Boil the water and pour it over the bulgur so that it is covered with about 1 cm of water. Cover the bowl with a plate and set aside for 10–15 minutes, until the bulgur absorbs the water and softens.
- After this time, fluff the bulgur with a fork, separating the grains so they are not clumped together.
- In a small bowl, mix the tomato paste, pepper paste (if using), olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and hot paprika until you get a smooth sauce.
- Pour the sauce over the still-warm bulgur and mix thoroughly so that every grain is coated. Set aside to cool.
- Wash the cucumber, tomatoes, and pepper. You can peel the cucumber if the skin is tough. Cut all the vegetables into a small dice.
- Slice the spring onions thinly, including the green tops. Finely chop the parsley and mint.
- Add all the chopped vegetables and herbs to the bowl with the bulgur. Gently but thoroughly mix everything together.
- Taste the salad and, if needed, season with additional salt, lemon juice, or hot paprika.
- Just before serving, sprinkle the top with pomegranate seeds so they keep their crunch and color.
Storage
Sałatkę przechowuj w lodówce w szczelnym pojemniku do 2 dni. Z czasem bulgur wchłania sok z warzyw, więc przed podaniem możesz dodać odrobinę oliwy i soku z cytryny, aby ją odświeżyć.
