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Mediterranean Bulgur Salad with Chickpeas

Fine bulgur wheat and hearty chickpeas tossed with cucumber, tomato, herbs, and a bright lemon-olive oil dressing. A filling, plant-based grain salad inspired by the flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean.

25 minEasyServes 4300 cal/serving

MediterraneanSaladNo-CookVeganHigh FiberHalal-friendlyDairy-FreeEgg-FreeNut-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

  • 1 cup fine bulgur wheat
  • 1.5 cups boiling water
  • 2 cans chickpeas (15 oz), drained, rinsed
  • 1 English cucumber, diced
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 red onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

  1. 1

    Place 1 cup fine bulgur wheat in a large heatproof bowl. Pour 1.5 cups boiling water over it, stir briefly, and cover the bowl tightly with a plate or plastic wrap. Let sit for 15-20 minutes until the bulgur has absorbed the water and is tender. Fluff with a fork and let cool to room temperature.

  2. 2

    In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper to make the dressing.

  3. 3

    To the bowl of cooled bulgur, add 2 cans drained, rinsed chickpeas (15 oz), 1 diced English cucumber, 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 finely diced red onion, 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, and 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves.

  4. 4

    Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or lemon juice as needed.

  5. 5

    Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 days. The flavors deepen as it sits.

Questions

Can I make Mediterranean Bulgur Salad with Chickpeas gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1 cup fine bulgur wheat. Swap the grain for cooked rice or quinoa (the chew will differ). Everything else proceeds as written.

Can I make Mediterranean Bulgur Salad with Chickpeas ahead?

Yes, it takes well to being made ahead. Dressed, it is best the day it is made. Keep the components separate and refrigerated and they hold about two days; dress just before serving.

Can I halve or double Mediterranean Bulgur Salad with Chickpeas?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. There is no cooking pitfall here; the quantities simply scale.

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