Bulgur Pilaf with Tomato and Toasted Pine Nuts

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A classic Turkish pilaf where nutty bulgur is cooked with tomato paste and sautéed onions, topped with crunchy toasted pine nuts for texture. This Turkish-inspired rice and grain recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs coarse bulgur wheat, tomato paste, onion (finely diced) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Turkish cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 finely diced medium onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until it darkens slightly and becomes fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 cup coarse bulgur wheat to the pan, stirring to coat with the tomato mixture for 2 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 cups vegetable broth or water, season with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until bulgur is tender and liquid absorbed.
  5. Step 5: While the pilaf cooks, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Toast 1/4 cup pine nuts, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and fragrant.
  6. Step 6: Fluff the pilaf with a fork, transfer to a serving dish, and sprinkle the toasted pine nuts on top. Serve warm.

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