How to Cook Bulgur Wheat (Step-by-Step)

So, there’s not much to how to cook bulgur! As I mentioned above, you’ll use the soaking method where you simply heat up water and then pour it over the grains. The biggest thing you need to know is how much water to use: and that’s even super simple.

What’s the bulgur to water ratio? 1:1, meaning 1 cup bulgur to 1 cup water.

OK, this literally could not get any easier, right? Here are the basic steps for how to cook bulgur (see the full recipe below):

• Boil the water in a teapot.
• Place the bulgur wheat in a bowl, then pour the water over it.
• Let it stand for 7 minutes for fine-grind bulgur or 15 minutes for medium-grind bulgur.

As it sits, the grains absorb all the water and the grains become large and tender. That’s it! This is a great candidate for making a large batch to eat off of throughout the week.

Or, do you have an Instant Pot? You also can cook bulgur in a pressure cooker: see our Instant Pot Bulgur Wheat recipe.

Ways to Use It

Once you’ve got a big pot of bulgur wheat, there are so many ways to use it: in salads, grain bowls, soups, and more! Here are some of my favorite ideas:

• Tabbouleh: The most popular way to eat bulgur is tabbouleh, with lots of fresh parsley, tomatoes, and garlic. Try my Mediterranean Bulgur Salad.
• With veggies & fried egg: Make it a vegetarian main dish with beans and greens and topped with a fried egg. Try Bulgur Wheat Recipe with Fried Eggs.
• As a side: Try it as a side dish for Baked Salmon or Stovetop Shrimp.
• In a grain bowl: Try it in a Couscous Bowls with Tahini Sauce (instead of couscous) or Roasted Vegetable Bowl (instead of freekah).

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

There are only 5 ingredients you’ll need for these peanut butter oatmeal bars…and two are in the recipe title! That’s the ultimate easy recipe, right there. I love these no bake oatmeal bars for treats, but they’re also great for snacks since they’re mostly just whole grain oats.

For breakfast bars, I prefer our straight up Oatmeal Bars: but you could also eat these for breakfast as well. Here’s what you’ll need for these babies:

• Old Fashioned rolled oats: Use plain old oats here: not steel cut or instant oats!
• Peanut butter: I like natural peanut butter with no added sugar or salt, but use your favorite brand.
• Honey: Honey has the best warm flavor and sticky texture. See below for a few vegan options!
• Cinnamon: This spice adds just the right nuance.
• Dark chocolate: All you need is a 1 ounce of dark chocolate! Just the small amount of chocolate adds a great punch, but still keeps the treats on the healthy side: it’s just 8 calories per bar.

Making Them Vegan

Want to make vegan peanut butter oatmeal bars instead? The honey in this recipe is important for creating a nuanced, warm flavor and the sticky texture. Typically I use maple syrup as a vegan sweetener, but it doesn’t have quite the same texture and sweetness here.

I recommend using agave syrup: it’s slightly stickier than maple and should help the bars hold together better. But you can use maple syrup if it’s all you have!

What Goes in a Hummus Bowl

This concept is so simple for easy lunches and dinners where you don’t even have to think. It’s great for filler days of the week where you don’t want to cook, or you want to use up veggies in the fridge. There are a few elements that are required, and then lots of fancy toppings that can step it up from basic to beautiful. Here are the required elements in a hummus bowl:

The Essentials

• Hummus: find the best purchased brand you can, or make your own (see below)
• English cucumber: An English cucumber is long and thin with no tough skin, no seeds and a milder flavor than standard cucumber. Look for it in the produce section!
• Cherry tomatoes or red bell pepper: It’s nice to have a red element
• Olives: Kalamata olives add a satiating salty pop; try Castelvetrano olives as a milder option
• Red onion: or use shallot for a milder option
• Pita bread or gluten free crackers: It’s nice to have a bread item for dipping: use whatever fits your diet

Optional But Recommended

• Baby greens or chopped lettuce (optional): Baby greens add texture and nutrients
• Feta cheese (optional): A sprinkle adds another savory element; omit or try vegan feta for dairy-free
• Rice or another grain (optional): This makes the hummus bowl more filling, so it’s nice to include as a dinner option. We like using the microwavable pre-cooked rice packages for quick meals, or using leftover cooked rice or quinoa, farro, or even pastas like couscous or orzo.

More Mediterranean Recipes To Try

This hummus bowl is an ideal easy Mediterranean diet recipe that makes healthy eating fun! Here are a few more easy Mediterranean-style recipes to liven up your diet:

• Go for Mediterranean Tuna Salad
• Try Mediterranean Couscous Bowls Recipe
• Opt for 5-minute Simple Chickpea Salad
• Mix up a Greek Salad