Kisir holds a special place in Turkish culinary traditions, often served as a welcoming gesture to guests and a staple in family gatherings. Originating from the southeastern regions of Turkey, this traditional dish is more than just a salad; it’s a celebration of fresh ingredients and rich flavors. While it shines as a standalone salad, Kisir is also delightful when rolled into crisp lettuce leaves or served with tender grape leaves, transforming it into a perfect snack or a sophisticated appetizer.

One of the many advantages of this delightful bulgur salad is its excellent make-ahead potential. Preparing a large batch is ideal for potlucks, picnics, or simply ensuring you have a healthy meal ready for busy weekdays. It stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, with many believing its flavors deepen and improve overnight, making it even more delicious the next day. This recipe truly embodies the wholesome and flavorful essence of Turkish cuisine.

This Turkish salad recipe was thoughtfully adapted from Foodquotes, a wonderful Dutch food blog.

If you enjoy salads bursting with fresh, zesty flavors, you might also love this pomegranate orange salad or this refreshing couscous salad with chives and cucumber. Expand your salad repertoire with these equally delicious choices!

What is the difference between Tabouleh and Kisir?

While both Tabbouleh and Kisir are celebrated bulgur-based salads from the Middle East, they each possess distinct characteristics. Tabbouleh, a traditional Lebanese recipe, is predominantly an herb salad where finely chopped parsley takes center stage, complemented by mint, tomatoes, onion, and a smaller proportion of bulgur, all dressed in lemon juice and olive oil. Its flavor profile is intensely fresh and green due to the high volume of herbs.

Kisir, on the other hand, is distinctly a bulgur salad. Here, bulgur wheat is the undeniable star, with fresh parsley, spring onions, and other aromatic spices and vegetables playing supporting roles to enhance its texture and flavor. While parsley is a key ingredient, it doesn’t dominate Kisir as it does in Tabbouleh. Kisir often incorporates tomato paste and pomegranate molasses, giving it a unique reddish hue and a wonderfully complex sweet-sour-savory depth that sets it apart. Due to their shared primary ingredient, Kisir is sometimes affectionately referred to as Turkish Tabbouleh, but their culinary identities are wonderfully unique.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Kisir Recipe

• Lightning Fast: With only 10 minutes of active preparation, Kisir is perfect for quick weeknight meals or last-minute potluck contributions.
• Flavor Explosion: The combination of bulgur, tangy pomegranate molasses, fresh herbs, and a hint of spice creates an unforgettable taste experience.
• Healthy & Wholesome: Packed with whole grains, fresh vegetables, and beneficial antioxidants from pomegranate, it’s a guilt-free pleasure.
• Incredibly Versatile: Serve it as a light lunch, a vibrant side dish, a mezze appetizer, or even as a base for a more substantial meal.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Its flavors actually improve after a few hours or even a day in the fridge, making it ideal for meal prepping.

Essential Ingredients to Prepare This Turkish Bulgur Wheat Salad

A comprehensive list of ingredients with precise measurements can be found in the printable recipe card at the end of this blog post.

• Bulgur – Bulgur is a staple whole grain made from cracked durum wheat, available in various grinds. You’ll commonly find coarse bulgur wheat in most supermarkets, which is traditionally used in Turkish cuisine for dishes like bulgur pilaf. However, for an authentic Kisir experience, the fine bulgur wheat variant is preferred. You can usually find fine bulgur at Middle Eastern grocers or specialty food stores. If fine bulgur is unavailable, the coarse version can be used; just ensure to cook it according to the package instructions (it typically requires simmering rather than just soaking). Using fine bulgur allows it to absorb the dressing beautifully and achieve the desired tender yet slightly chewy texture without cooking.
• Pomegranate Molasses – Known as nar ekşisi in Turkish, this distinct product is created by slowly boiling down pomegranate juice until it transforms into a thick, sticky, dark syrup. Its flavor profile is a unique balance of sweet and intensely sour, adding an unparalleled tang and depth to Kisir. Pomegranate molasses is also rich in antioxidants, particularly Vitamin C. If you can’t find it, suitable replacements include a mix of lemon juice, verjuice (the sour juice of unripe grapes), or a good quality balsamic vinegar, or a combination of these for a similar sweet-sour effect. You can easily purchase pomegranate molasses in the international aisle of larger supermarkets or at Middle Eastern specialty stores.
• Tomato Purée (Paste) – While not always included in every Kisir recipe, tomato purée adds a wonderful depth of umami and a beautiful reddish hue to the salad. It contributes a rich, concentrated tomato flavor that complements the bulgur and fresh herbs exceptionally well. We highly recommend including it for an enhanced flavor dimension.
• Fresh Vegetables and Herbs (Spring Onion, Tomato, Parsley, Red Pepper) – These fresh ingredients are vital for the vibrant taste and texture of Kisir.
  • Spring Onions: Finely chopped green onions provide a mild, fresh onion flavor and a slight crunch.
  • Parsley: Fresh parsley, finely chopped, adds a bright, herbaceous note that is essential to the salad’s character.
  • Tomatoes: Juicy, ripe tomatoes, cubed (and ideally deseeded to prevent excess moisture), contribute sweetness and a refreshing texture.
  • Red Pepper (Chili): Finely diced red chili pepper introduces a subtle warmth and a gentle kick. If fresh red peppers are hard to find or you prefer more heat, you can substitute with about ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or chili flakes, adjusting to your spice preference.
• Olive Oil & Lemon Juice: Essential components of the dressing, providing richness and bright acidity that ties all the flavors together. Always opt for good quality extra virgin olive oil.

How to Prepare This Refreshing Kisir Recipe?

You’ll find a detailed, printable recipe card at the very bottom of this blog post for easy reference and cooking.

1. Soak the Bulgur: Begin by placing the fine bulgur in a large, heatproof salad bowl. Pour enough boiling water over the bulgur to fully cover it, ensuring there’s about a ½ inch (1 cm) layer of water above the bulgur. Let it stand undisturbed for 10 minutes to allow the bulgur to soften and absorb the water. It should become tender but still have a slight bite.
2. Prepare the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, a generous amount of good quality olive oil, the distinctive pomegranate molasses, and fresh lemon juice until well combined. This mixture forms the heart of Kisir’s unique flavor.
3. Combine Bulgur and Dressing: Once the bulgur has absorbed the water and fluffed up, add the prepared pomegranate-tomato sauce mixture to the bulgur. Use a fork to gently fluff and mix everything together, ensuring the bulgur is evenly coated with the rich, red dressing.
4. Add Fresh Vegetables: Carefully dice the tomato into small, uniform cubes and slice the red pepper into thin strips. Add these vibrant vegetables to the bulgur salad, adding color and freshness.
5. Incorporate Fresh Herbs: Finely chop the fresh parsley. Add the chopped parsley to the bowl, distributing it evenly throughout the bulgur mixture.
6. Finish with Spring Onions: Finally, slice the spring onions into thin, elegant strips. Add them to the bowl and gently mix everything one last time. Kisir can be enjoyed immediately while it’s still slightly warm, or it can be chilled in the refrigerator for a few hours or even a couple of days to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Serving it cold is often preferred, especially in warmer weather.

Tips for the Perfect Kisir Every Time

• Bulgur Quality Matters: While coarse bulgur works, fine bulgur truly gives Kisir its traditional texture. It soaks up flavors faster and results in a lighter salad.
• Don’t Over-Soak: Pay attention to the bulgur’s texture. It should be tender but not mushy. Adjust soaking time if using a different bulgur type or temperature.
• Chop Finely: For an authentic texture, aim for finely chopped herbs and vegetables. This ensures every bite has a harmonious blend of ingredients.
• Taste and Adjust: The beauty of Kisir is its adaptability. Taste the salad before serving and adjust the lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, or chili to your preference. Some like it tangier, others spicier.
• Resting Time is Key: While delicious immediately, Kisir’s flavors deepen and meld beautifully after resting in the fridge for at least an hour. This allows the bulgur to fully absorb all the wonderful dressing.

Serving Suggestions for Kisir

Kisir is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways:

• As a Mezze: A cornerstone of any Turkish or Middle Eastern mezze platter, served alongside hummus, baba ghanoush, olives, and fresh bread.
• BBQ Side Dish: Its refreshing and tangy profile makes it an excellent accompaniment to grilled meats and vegetables.
• Light Lunch: A satisfying and healthy lunch on its own, perhaps with a side of plain yogurt.
• Lettuce Wraps: Serve it with crisp lettuce cups (like romaine or butter lettuce) for a delightful, interactive eating experience.
• With Grape Leaves: For a more traditional touch, serve small portions rolled into fresh or brined grape leaves.
• Main Dish Enhancement: Add grilled halloumi cheese, crumbled feta, or even some chickpeas for a more substantial vegetarian main course.

Did you make this delicious Kisir recipe? Share your creation and tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! We absolutely love seeing your culinary masterpieces and frequently feature the most beautiful photos from our community! Did you enjoy this recipe? Please consider leaving a rating on the recipe card below! Your valuable feedback makes a huge difference, helping both fellow home cooks and us immensely.

Need more culinary inspiration?

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Andréa