North African Bulgar Salad

Bright, zesty, and packed with bold spices, this North African Bulgar Salad is a vibrant twist on a classic grain-based dish. Featuring fluffy bulgar wheat infused with cumin, cinnamon, and smoked paprika, it’s perfectly balanced with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and finely chopped red onion. Fresh parsley and mint add a fragrant punch, while sweet raisins and crunchy toasted almonds provide irresistible texture. Dressed in a simple yet flavorful blend of olive oil and lemon juice, this salad is both refreshingly light and satisfyingly complex. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s the ideal recipe for a quick lunch, a healthy side dish, or a chilled make-ahead option for your next gathering. Enjoy this healthy, vegetarian dish inspired by North African flavors and brimming with wholesome ingredients.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup bulgar wheat
• 2 cups boiling water
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• 0.5 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 0.5 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.25 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 0.5 cup raisins
• 0.25 cup toasted almonds, sliced

Directions

Step 1

In a medium heatproof bowl, combine the bulgar wheat and boiling water. Cover the bowl with a lid or plate and let it sit for 10 minutes until the bulgar has absorbed the water and softened. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool.

Step 2

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled bulgar wheat, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, raisins, and toasted almonds.

Step 4

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together until well combined.

Step 5

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 6

Enjoy your North African Bulgar Salad as a light meal or paired with grilled protein for a heartier dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1619.3 grams (1619.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1632

Total Fat 61.80g	79%
Saturated Fat 8.50g	43%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2513mg	109%
Total Carbohydrate 259.00g	94%
Dietary Fiber 56.80g	203%
Total Sugars 74.60g
Protein 43.80g	88%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 783mg	60%
Iron 22mg	124%
Potassium 4221mg	90%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 31.5%

Protein: 9.9%

Carbs: 58.6%