Bulgur
CategoryGrains

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Bulgur, also called burghul, is wheat that has been prepared so that it can be used just by soaking.

Production

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The wheat is first steamed to partially cook it before drying and grinding coarsely.[1][2] The outer part of the bran is also removed.[3] This produces small grains that take less time to cook than whole, raw grains.

Characteristics

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Bulgar is light brown in color[1] and comes in a couple different grades of coarseness. The finer the grade, the faster the grain cooks.[4] Because bulgur does retain a portion of the bran, it retains some characteristics of whole grains such as chewiness and nutty flavor.[3][4]

Selection and storage

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Like with other grains, store bulgur in an airtight container away from light, heat, and moisture.[4][5] It will keep for a couple years at room temperature but will eventually go rancid—freezing extends this shelf, though you will probably consume reasonable quantities before this is necessary.[4] Bulgur can also be cooked before freezing.[4]

Preparation

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Because it is precooked, bulgur does not need to be fully cooked before consumption. Often, covering it in boiling water and allowing it to soak about about 15–30 minutes is sufficient.[1][5] However, it can still be boiled like other grains.

Bulgur is commonly used in many Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Indian dishes, including falafel, tabouli, and pilaf, and is often mixed with ground meat.[2] It can be used similarly to rice and may be mixed with it to add flavor and texture.

Substitution

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Cracked wheat is similar to bulgur—however, because it is not precooked, cracked wheat needs to be fully cooked before use and cannot be an exact substitute.[1]

Recipes

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References

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  1. a b c d Labensky, Sarah R.; Hause, Alan M.; Martel, Priscilla (2018-01-18). On Cooking: A Textbook of Culinary Fundamentals. Pearson. ISBN 978-0-13-444190-0.
  2. a b Friberg, Bo (2016-09-13). The Professional Pastry Chef: Fundamentals of Baking and Pastry. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-470-46629-2.
  3. a b Davidson, Alan (2014-01-01). Jaine, Tom (ed.). The Oxford Companion to Food. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780199677337.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-19-967733-7.
  4. a b c d e "Tabbouleh and More: Pick Bulgur Wheat for Convenience and Fast Flavor". The Spruce Eats. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  5. a b Thaler, Maximus; Safferstein, Dayna (2014-09). A Curious Harvest: The Practical Art of Cooking Everything. Quarry Books. ISBN 978-1-59253-928-4. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)