If you’re looking for an authentic Turkish Bulgur Salad, this traditional Kisir recipe is one of the easiest and most flavorful dishes you can make.

Ready in just 20 minutes, Turkish Kisir combines fine bulgur wheat with tomato and pepper paste, fresh herbs, olive oil, lemon juice, and tangy pomegranate molasses to create a vibrant, refreshing salad that is loved throughout Turkey.

Kisir is one of the most popular dishes served during Turkish tea time. It is commonly prepared for family gatherings, afternoon tea with friends, celebrations, picnics, and holiday tables. Almost every Turkish family has its own version, with small variations in spices or the amount of fresh herbs, making it a truly traditional homemade recipe.

Unlike many Mediterranean bulgur salads, authentic Turkish Kisir has a rich, slightly spicy dressing flavored with tomato paste, sweet red pepper paste, dried mint, cumin, and pomegranate molasses. The combination creates the signature taste that makes this salad so memorable.

For this tea-time menu, I also prepared crispy cheese börek, stuffed grape leaves (dolma), baklava, tulumba dessert, and freshly brewed Turkish tea. Together they create one of the most classic Turkish afternoon spreads.

Watch the complete step-by-step video here:

Why You’ll Love This Turkish Kisir Recipe

• Ready in about 20 minutes
• Authentic Turkish family recipe
• Full of fresh herbs and Mediterranean flavors
• Naturally vegan (if using vegan pepper paste)
• Great for meal prep
• Perfect for picnics, lunch, parties, and Turkish tea time

What Is Kisir?

Kisir is a traditional Turkish bulgur salad made with fine bulgur wheat, tomato paste, pepper paste, olive oil, lemon juice, fresh parsley, spring onions, and pomegranate molasses.

Although it is often compared to tabbouleh, Kisir contains much more bulgur and uses Turkish ingredients such as pepper paste and pomegranate molasses, giving it a richer and deeper flavor.

It is usually served at room temperature as part of a Turkish meze table or afternoon tea menu.

Ingredients

• 1¼ cups fine bulgur wheat
• 1¼ cups hot water
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 4–6 spring onions, finely chopped
• ½ bunch parsley, finely chopped
• 3–5 pickles, diced
• 1½ tablespoons tomato paste
• About 1 tablespoon sweet red pepper paste
• 5–7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon dried mint
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon Turkish red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika (optional)
• 1 teaspoon isot pepper (optional)
• ½ teaspoon sumac (optional)
• 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt to taste

How to Make Turkish Bulgur Salad (Kisir)

1. Place the fine bulgur in a large bowl. Pour over the hot water, cover, and let it absorb the water for about 10 minutes until softened.
2. Meanwhile, finely dice the onion. Heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion over medium-low heat for about 4 minutes until translucent.
3. Stir in the tomato paste, pepper paste, dried mint, cumin, and Turkish red pepper flakes. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Add the softened bulgur to the pan, season with salt, and gently mix everything together. Cook for about 3 minutes while stirring.
5. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and allow it to cool until just warm.
6. Finely chop the parsley, spring onions, and pickles.
7. Add the chopped vegetables to the cooled bulgur mixture.
8. Pour in the lemon juice and pomegranate molasses. Add a little more olive oil if needed and gently toss everything together.
9. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add isot pepper, sweet paprika, or sumac if desired.
10. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes for even better flavor.

Expert Tips

• Always use fine bulgur (köftelik bulgur) for authentic Kisir.
• Let the bulgur absorb the water instead of boiling it.
• Add the fresh herbs only after the bulgur has cooled slightly to keep them vibrant.
• Pomegranate molasses is essential for authentic Turkish flavor.
• Taste before serving, as Kisir often needs a little extra lemon juice or salt after resting.

What to Serve with Kisir

Turkish Kisir is traditionally served with:

• Cheese Börek
• Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolma)
• Turkish Tea
• Lettuce leaves for wrapping
• Pickles
• Fresh tomatoes and cucumbers
• Baklava
• Tulumba dessert

Storage

Store leftover Kisir in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

The flavors become even better after a few hours, making it an excellent make-ahead salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of bulgur should I use?

Use fine bulgur (köftelik bulgur). Coarse bulgur will not produce the traditional texture.

Is Kisir vegan?

Yes. Traditional Kisir is naturally vegan and dairy-free.

Can I make Kisir ahead of time?

Absolutely. Many people prepare it several hours before serving because the flavors continue to develop.

Is Kisir gluten-free?

No. Since bulgur is made from wheat, it contains gluten.

What’s the difference between Kisir and tabbouleh?

Tabbouleh contains much more parsley and fewer spices, while Turkish Kisir has more bulgur, tomato paste, pepper paste, and pomegranate molasses, giving it a richer and slightly spicy flavor.

Enjoy this authentic Turkish Bulgur Salad with a glass of Turkish tea and share it with family and friends—just as we do in Turkey.

Instructions For Bulgur Salad Kisir:

You might be interested in these recipes too:
Turkish Style Potato Salad | Vegan
Potato Flatbread: Velibah / Aloo Paratha
Turkish Stuffed Grape Leaves Yaprak Sarma / Dolma

Turkish Bulgur Salad (Kisir Recipe) – Authentic Turkish Recipe

Join me to see how I made the most popular Turkish salad recipe “Kisir” and how I prepared the menu. Even though it is popular among the ladies’ afternoon gatherings, it is surely a delicious menu to enjoy with family and loved ones too.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Mediterranean, Turkish

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• 1 +1/4 cup thin bulgur
• wheat 1 onion
• 4-6 spring onions
• 1/2 bunch of parsley
• 3-5 pickles
• 1 +1/2 tbsp tomato paste
• close to 1 tbsp sweet red pepper paste
• 5-7 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp + 1 tsp dried mint
• 1 tsp each cumin hot red pepper flakes 1 tsp sweet red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tsp isot pepper optional
• 1/2 tsp sumac optional
• 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
• juice of a lemon

Instructions

 

• First soak the bulgur wheat in the same amount of hot water, cover, and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
• Cut the onion in small cubes. In a medium-size pan add 6-7 tbsp olive oil and saute the onion for about 4 minutes on low medium heat.
• Chop the vegetables, spring onions, parsley finely, and pickles in small cubes.
• Add tomato paste, red pepper paste, dried mint, cumin, and hot red pepper flakes and give it a stir.
• Add the bulgur wheat and salt and cook for about 3 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, you can brew your Turkish tea too 🙂
• Taste the kisir and add more spice if you like along with isot pepper, sweet pepper and sumac (these are optional)
• Add the fresh greens after it is cooled down and mix it gently.
• Finely add pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, and more olive oil if needed and enjoy with Turkish tea time treats

Video

Notes

Keyword bulgur salad, kisir, kisir recipe, turkish kisir salad, turkish salads, turkish tea time menu