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5 from 8 votes

Bulgur Wheat Cooking Instructions

My personal preference is to cook bulgur in a rice cooker or steamer, because it simplifies everything. I add bulgur, water, press the button, and walk away. For bulgur, I usually use the brown rice setting, though the white rice setting works too.
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Cooking Tips
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Diet: Low Calorie, Low Fat, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 76kcal
Author: Terri Edwards

Equipment

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Stovetop Instructions

  • Add 1 cup bulgur to 2 cups water in a saucepan on the stove. Add a pinch of salt if desired.
  • Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 12 - 15 minutes or until tender.

Rice Cooker Instructions

  • Place 1 cup bulgur and 2 cups water in cooker. Press brown rice button setting and allow to cook.

Instant Pot Instructions

  • To make bulgur in your Instant Pot, set the temperature to 400°F for 4 minutes.
  • Once it finishes, allow a natural release for 10 minutes.

Microwave Instructions

  • Mix 1 cup of bulgur with 2 cups of water or broth in a microwave-safe bowl. Place a microwave-safe lid or plate on top to prevent splattering. Cook on high for 10-12 minutes. The time may vary depending on your microwave power.
  • After cooking, let it sit for 5 minutes to fully absorb the liquid. Fluff the bulgur with a fork and serve.

Video

Notes

Tips & Suggestions:
  • Cooking Adjustments- It is common to substitute one kind of bulgur for another, but you will likely need to reduce the water or cooking time to keep it from becoming mushy.
  • Cooking Methods- My personal preference is to cook bulgur in a rice cooker or steamer because it simplifies everything. I add bulgur and water, press the button, and walk away. For bulgur, I usually use the brown rice setting, though the white rice setting works too. No need to stir or worry about it sticking or overcooking. My rice steamer is used for quinoa, bulgur, and rice on a weekly basis. It just makes things so much simpler. 
  • Batch Cooking- I normally make large batches of bulgur wheat and freeze it for use in dishes like tacos, lasagna, beans, spaghetti, and so much more. Having it already cooked and on hand cuts down on food prep time and gets dinner to the table faster.
Gluten-free substitutes- There are some gluten-free options that can be used for a bulgur substitute for those that are avoiding wheat, depending on the recipe. Some of those bulgur replacements include:

Nutrition

Calories: 76kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Sodium: 14mg | Fiber: 4g