Easy Bulgur Salad With Carrots, Mint, And Raisins Recipe for Summer

Bulgur salad offers a delightful Mediterranean-inspired culinary experience that revolutionizes humble ingredients into a vibrant dish.

Hearty whole grains provide a robust foundation for this colorful preparation, bringing together exciting textures and complementary flavors.

Ancient wheat kernels combine with sweet and tangy elements, creating a harmonious blend that surprises the palate.

Nutritious and satisfying, this salad represents a perfect balance between wholesome grains and fresh ingredients.

Each component contributes its unique character, resulting in a refreshing meal that feels both light and substantial.

The interplay of earthy, sweet, and herbal notes makes this recipe a standout choice for health-conscious food lovers.

You’ll appreciate how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary.

Bulgur Salad with Carrots, Mint, and Raisins That’s Wholesome and Bright

• Boost Flavor Complexity: This bulgur salad combines sweet raisins, earthy pumpkin seeds, crunchy hazelnuts, and bright mint to create a multi-layered taste experience that dances across your palate.
• Effortless Preparation: The simple method of soaking bulgur in hot broth and mixing ingredients makes this recipe beginner-friendly, requiring minimal cooking skills and taking less than an hour from start to finish.
• Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with wholesome ingredients like bulgur, carrots, and nuts, this salad delivers a protein-rich, fiber-filled meal that offers substantial nutrition in every delightful bite.
• Versatile Serving Option: Perfect for summer picnics, quick lunches, or as a side dish, this chilled salad adapts easily to different dining scenarios and can be prepared ahead of time for convenience.

All the Ingredients for a Fresh Bulgur Mix

• Bulgur: Hearty whole grain with nutty flavor, provides a wholesome foundation for the salad.
• Raisins: Sweet dried fruit that softens and adds natural sweetness when soaked in hot broth.

• Carrots: Vibrant root vegetable that adds crunch, color, and natural sweetness to the salad.
• Mint Leaves: Fresh herb with bright, cooling flavor that enhances the overall taste profile.

• Pumpkin Seeds: Crunchy seed that provides texture and subtle nutty undertones.
• Hazelnuts: Rich, buttery nut that adds depth and crunch to the salad.
• Sunflower Oil: Light, neutral oil that helps bind ingredients and adds smooth mouthfeel.
• Lemon Juice: Tangy citrus that brightens flavors and adds a fresh, zesty note.

• Chicken Broth: Flavorful liquid used to hydrate and infuse bulgur and raisins with savory taste.

How to Cook and Fluff Bulgur for a Perfect Texture

Step 1: Prepare Bulgur Base

Place bulgur and raisins in a large dish. Pour hot chicken broth over the ingredients. Cover with plastic wrap for 20 to 30 minutes until broth is fully absorbed and bulgur and raisins have expanded.

Step 2: Add Crunchy Elements

• Pumpkin seeds
• Hazelnuts
• Lemon juice
• Sunflower oil

Mix ingredients thoroughly and adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 3: Enhance with Fresh Herbs

Finely chop mint leaves. Sprinkle into the salad, adjusting quantity based on personal preference.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate salad until ready to serve. This allows flavors to meld and develop a refreshing cool temperature.

Tips to Balance Sweet, Herbaceous, and Tangy

• Toast Seeds and Nuts: Lightly toast pumpkin seeds and hazelnuts in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the salad.
• Optimize Bulgur Hydration: Use hot broth for better absorption and fluffier texture, ensuring the bulgur and raisins plump up perfectly.
• Balance Mint Intensity: Start with a small amount of chopped mint and gradually add more to control the herb's strong flavor profile.
• Enhance Citrus Brightness: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for a vibrant, zesty taste that cuts through the salad's richness.
• Serve at Perfect Temperature: Let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and serve cool for a refreshing summer dish.

How to Keep Bulgur Salad Fresh for Days

• Refrigeration: Store the bulgur salad in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness. Keep refrigerated at 40°F or below to preserve flavor and texture.
• Reheating: Gently warm the salad at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. For a warm option, microwave in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Avoid overheating to prevent the herbs from wilting and bulgur from becoming dry.
• Reviving Freshness: Add a splash of fresh lemon juice or drizzle of olive oil before serving to restore the salad's vibrant taste and restore moisture. Sprinkle extra chopped mint leaves for a burst of herbal aroma and renewed flavor.

Side Pairings That Complement This Grain Dish

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enjoy a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the salad's fresh mint and bright lemon flavors, cutting through the nutty richness.
• Match with Grilled Protein: Serve alongside grilled chicken or lamb kebabs to create a Mediterranean-inspired meal that enhances the bulgur salad's herbal and nutty undertones.
• Complement with Creamy Yogurt Sauce: Drizzle a tzatziki or herbed yogurt sauce over the salad to add a cool, tangy element that balances the sweetness of raisins and earthiness of pumpkin seeds.
• Serve with Warm Pita Bread: Offer fresh, warm pita to scoop up the salad, providing a soft textural contrast and helping to soak up the delicious lemon and oil dressing.

Refreshing Mix-Ins for Bulgur Salad Fans

• Mediterranean Herb Boost: Replace mint with a blend of fresh parsley, dill, and oregano for a vibrant herb-packed bulgur salad with deeper Mediterranean flavors.
• Spicy Moroccan Style: Add ground cumin, cayenne pepper, and a touch of harissa paste to introduce warm, spicy notes that complement the sweet raisins and carrots.
• Citrus Zest Remix: Swap lemon juice for orange and lime juice, then sprinkle orange zest to create a brighter, more complex citrus profile in the salad.
• Nutty Protein Punch: Incorporate quinoa alongside bulgur and add toasted almonds and pistachios for increased protein and a more textured eating experience.

Bulgur Salad With Carrots, Mint, And Raisins Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mediterranean magic meets wholesome goodness in this zesty bulgur salad. Crisp carrots, sweet raisins, and fresh mint create a delightful harmony that refreshes palates and nourishes bodies with each colorful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 600 g (21.16 ounces) bulgur
• 4 carrots
• 1 liter (4.22 cups) chicken broth

Dried Fruits and Nuts:

• 140 g (4.94 ounces) raisins
• 100 g (3.53 ounces) crushed and roasted hazelnuts
• 100 g (3.53 ounces) pumpkin seeds

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• Juice of 1 lemon
• 5 tablespoons sunflower oil
• 1 bunch of mint

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Instructions

1. Combine bulgur and raisins in a spacious mixing bowl, then carefully pour hot chicken broth over the ingredients, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Seal the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the mixture to rest for 25 to 30 minutes, letting the bulgur and raisins absorb the liquid and become tender.
3. Carefully peel and finely grate fresh carrots using a box grater or food processor, creating delicate shreds.
4. Incorporate the grated carrots into the softened bulgur mixture, adding roasted pumpkin seeds and chopped hazelnuts for textural complexity.
5. Drizzle fresh lemon juice and high-quality sunflower oil over the salad, gently folding all ingredients to ensure even distribution and balanced flavor.
6. Delicately chop fresh mint leaves, releasing their aromatic oils, and sprinkle them into the salad according to personal preference.
7. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors.
8. Transfer the bulgur salad to a sealed container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop a refreshing temperature.
9. Remove from refrigerator just before serving, giving a final gentle stir to redistribute the ingredients and revive the salad’s vibrant appearance.

Notes

• This vibrant bulgur salad bursts with Mediterranean flavors and nutritious ingredients.
• Soaking bulgur in hot chicken broth softens the grains and plumps the raisins, creating a tender texture.
• Grated carrots add natural sweetness and crunch, while pumpkin seeds and hazelnuts provide delightful nutty undertones.
• Fresh mint leaves bring a bright, cooling element that perfectly complements the warm spices and nutty components.
• Advance preparation allows flavors to meld, making this salad an ideal make-ahead dish for quick meals or gatherings.
• Serve chilled as a refreshing side or light lunch, highlighting the salad’s versatile and wholesome character.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 452 kcal
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 240 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 9 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg