HOW TO COOK BULGUR IN THE INSTANT POT

Learn how to cook bulgur in the Instant Pot and easily add this delicious and healthy whole grain to your diet!

WHAT IS BULGUR?

Bulgur, known as Pligouri or Πλιγούρι in Greek (pronounced Pli-GOO-ree) is a super healthy, nutrient-dense cracked wheat whole grain. It has a mild, slightly nutty taste and after it is cooked the texture is similar to rice and slightly more dense than couscous. It is a popular ingredient in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Western Asian cuisines, often served as a side dish, as part of a salad, or in place of rice in any main dish. Our recipe teaches you how to cook bulgur in the Instant Pot by using the “Pot-in-Pot” (PIP) cooking method, allowing for minimal hands-on work and cleanup.

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WHY YOU WILL LOVE TO COOK BULGUR IN THE INSTANT POT

• Delicious! Bulgur has a light nutty flavour with a chewy texture that is great on its own or added to dishes.
• Versatile! Bulgur can be used in everything from soups, salads, side dishes, or entrees.
• Easy! The Instant Pot does all the work for you making minimal hands-on effort.
• Fast! Ready from start to finish in less than 30 minutes.
• Budget-Friendly! An excellent way to eat healthy on a budget. Dried bulgur is relatively cheap, has a long shelf-life, and is easy to find at almost all supermarkets.
• Super Healthy! A nutrient-dense whole grain which is high in protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
• Plant-based! A fulfilling ingredient to add to a vegetarian or vegan diet. Bulgur wheat can also be used as a substitute for ground meat in many classic dishes.

WHAT IS THE INSTANT POT “POT-IN-POT” COOKING METHOD?

The Pot-in-Pot method is a cooking technique for the Instant Pot where you cook food in a smaller heat-proof container inside the Instant Pot’s inner liner. This method is especially successful when you want to prepare a grain such as bulgur or rice, where there is more risk of scorching the bottom of the liner and receiving the dreaded “burn” notification. It also allows for a better grain texture when cooked this way. Other popular uses for PIP cooking are when you want to reheat leftovers, steam vegetables or seafood, cook ingredients that don’t require a liquid, or cook multiple different foods at once.

To cook a dish with the PIP method, you need to add 1 cup of water to the liner, add the metal trivet, and then a smaller heat-resistant container for the food item to cook in. I prefer using a stainless steel mixing bowl that you would find in the baking section of a shop. Depending on the item cooked you may leave it uncovered or cover and seal with aluminum foil.

HOW TO COOK BULGUR IN THE INSTANT POT

Cooking bulgur is relatively easy, whether you cook it on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot. I always cook my bulgur in the Instant Pot for two reasons. First, I don’t have to pay attention to the timing, and second, because the Instant Pot is more energy efficient than the stovetop. I have found that cooking it with the “Pot-in-Pot” method is the most successful for the perfect consistency and easier clean-up. This recipe uses 1 cup of dried bulgur and creates 3 cups of cooked, fluffy bulgur.

How to cook bulgur in the Instant Pot:

• Place trivet on the bottom of the Instant Pot liner. Pour 1 cup of warm water into the liner.
• Combine bulgur, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and 1¼ cups of water in a mid-sized metal bowl that fits inside the liner. Stir to combine. Cover with aluminum foil and tuck the edges so it is secure. Place the bowl on top of the trivet inside the liner.
• Close the lid of the Instant Pot and turn the release valve to the closed position. Set the manual pressure cook timer to 4 minutes.
• When the cooking is complete, allow for Natural Pressure Release for 10 minutes. The pressure may release before this but wait to open until it’s settled for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the lid.
• The metal bowl will be very hot so do not touch it with bare hands. Carefully remove the metal bowl from the liner, either with oven mitts or by removing the whole trivet and bowl with tongs. Carefully remove the aluminum foil from the top of the bowl.
• Fluff with a fork and serve immediately, or wait for it to cool and use to your preference.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS FOR INSTANT POT BULGUR

Bulgur is such an adaptable whole grain. You can add it to soups, use it in salads such as tabbouleh, use it in main dishes such as pilaf or anywhere you would use rice, or have it on its own as a side dish. I often use it as a substitute for ground meat when I make a vegetarian version of moussaka or pastichio. Have fun playing with flavour combinations and recipes. To serve as a side on its own, add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and any seasoning such as paprika or freshly chopped parsley.

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER PLIGOURI

Store leftover Instant Pot bulgur in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing it as the texture will be slightly compromised.

NOW THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO COOK BULGUR EASILY – TRY THESE DELICIOUS BULGUR SALADS NEXT!

CLICK HERE FOR THE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO ON TIKTOK

CLICK HERE FOR THE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO ON YOUTUBE

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