Quick Creamy Red Pepper Bulgur with Spiced Turkey and Pumpkin Seeds
⏲️ Under 30 Minutes
Easy

Quick Creamy Red Pepper Bulgur with Spiced Turkey and Pumpkin Seeds

A fast, original dish of tender bulgur cooked in a light roasted red pepper and yogurt sauce, topped with browned spiced turkey, fresh spinach, and toasted pumpkin seeds. It balances creaminess, texture, and flavor in under 30 minutes.

10 minPrep
18 minCook
28 minTotal
4Servings
High Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings
4
  • 180 g medium bulgur (enjuagado si es necesario)
  • 400 g ground turkey (preferiblemente magro)
  • 180 g roasted red pepper strips (escurrido)
  • 60 g fresh spinach (lightly packed)
  • 120 g plain Greek yogurt (at room temperature)
  • 480 ml chicken broth (low sodium if preferred)
  • 80 g red onion (chopped fina)
  • 8 g garlic (chopped)
  • 30 g pumpkin seeds (unsalted)
  • 30 ml olive oil (divided)
  • 4 g smoked paprika
  • 2 g ground cumin
  • 1 g dried oregano
  • 1 g lemon zest
  • 15 ml lemon juice
  • 5 g salt (or to taste)
  • 1 g black pepper (or to taste)

Nutrition facts

per serving

403 kcal
Calories
31 g
Protein
28 g
Carbs
18 g
Fat
4 g
Fiber
24 g
Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

GlutenDairy

Instructions

  1. 1

    1. Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the pumpkin seeds and toast for 2 minutes, shaking the pan, until fragrant. Transfer to a plate.

  2. 2

    2. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the ground turkey, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until the turkey is fully cooked and reaches 165°F/74°C. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

  3. 3

    3. Reduce to medium heat. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and cook the red onion for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds more.

  4. 4

    4. Stir in the roasted red pepper, the remaining smoked paprika, and the bulgur. Cook for 1 minute so the bulgur is well coated.

  5. 5

    5. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring once or twice, until the bulgur is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

  6. 6

    6. Add the fresh spinach and stir for 1 minute until wilted. Turn off the heat and let it stand for 1 minute so the mixture cools slightly.

  7. 7

    7. In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with the lemon zest and lemon juice. Stir it into the skillet off the heat until creamy. Adjust with the remaining salt if needed.

  8. 8

    8. Return the spiced turkey to the skillet and gently stir for 1 minute to warm through. Serve the creamy bulgur topped with the toasted pumpkin seeds.

Chef tips

For a fluffier texture, let the bulgur rest 2 extra minutes before adding the yogurt. If the pan is very hot, stir in the yogurt off the heat to prevent splitting.

Substitutions

You can swap the turkey for ground chicken. Greek yogurt can be replaced with thick plain yogurt. Spinach can be replaced with chopped baby kale, cooking it 1 to 2 minutes longer.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

  • Illustrative image: Air fryerIllustrative image

    Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer

    Browning and baking with little oil

    • Browns food with very little oil
    • Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
    • Check the basket capacity
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Digital kitchen thermometerIllustrative image

    TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer

    Checking doneness of meat and chicken

    • Checks doneness of meat and chicken
    • Quick reading
    • Clean the probe after each use
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Non-stick frying panIllustrative image

    T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan

    Eggs, omelets and stir-fries

    • Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
    • Comfortable, sturdy handle
    • Use wooden or silicone utensils
    View on Amazon

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