Turkish Meal Prep Lentil Bowl with Bulgur and Yoghurt
Why this recipe works
- Built for meal prep: The lentils and bulgur hold well in the fridge, while the parsley salad and yoghurt can be added just before serving for freshness.
- Fresh balance: Lemon zest, lemon juice and parsley cut through the tomato-rich lentils and keep the bowl from feeling heavy.
- Creamy contrast: Greek yoghurt adds a cool, creamy finish that balances the warm spices and spoonable lentil sauce.
Get the most out of this recipe
Make-ahead tips
- Keep the fresh elements separate: Store the lentils and bulgur together if convenient, but keep the parsley salad and yoghurt separate until serving so they stay bright and fresh.
- Loosen when reheating: Add a splash of water to the lentils before reheating if the sauce has thickened in the fridge.
- Freeze the cooked base: The lentils and bulgur can be frozen after cooking; leave out the yoghurt and parsley salad until the day you eat.
Ingredient notes
- Aleppo pepper: Aleppo pepper gives gentle warmth and a lightly fruity chilli flavour rather than sharp heat.
- Green lentils: Green lentils are a good choice here because they keep their shape better than split lentils, giving the sauce more texture.
- Lemon to taste: Add a little extra lemon juice to the parsley salad if you want a sharper, brighter finish.
Ingredient swaps
- Gluten-free base: Use quinoa instead of bulgur for a gluten-free version.
- Dairy-free topping: Swap the Greek yoghurt for a plain soy yoghurt or another unsweetened dairy-free yoghurt.
- Milder spice: Use smoked paprika in place of Aleppo pepper for a gentler, smokier flavour.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Spiced lentils
Bulgur and herb salad
To serve
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion and crush the garlic. Rinse the lentils under cold water until the water runs mostly clear. Zest the lemon, then juice it; set both aside.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then cook the onion with a pinch of the salt for 6 to 8 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic, cumin and Aleppo pepper and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the passata, lentils and 600 ml water, bring to the boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer the lentils for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but not mushy and the sauce is thick and spoonable. If it looks dry before the lentils are tender, add a splash of water; if it is too loose, simmer uncovered for a few minutes. Taste and season with the remaining salt as needed.
- Meanwhile, put the bulgur in a saucepan with 240 ml water and bring to the boil. Cover, turn the heat to low, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until the water is absorbed. Take off the heat and leave covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- Finely chop the parsley and add it to a bowl with the lemon juice, lemon zest, 1 tbsp olive oil and 0.5 tsp salt. Toss well, then taste and adjust with a little more lemon juice if you want it sharper. Keep this salad separate from the hot components if you are meal prepping.
- Divide the bulgur between two containers or bowls, then spoon over the warm lentils. Add the lemony parsley salad on the side and finish each portion with a generous spoon of Greek yogurt. Let everything cool to room temperature before sealing if storing for later.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For meal prep, cool the lentils and bulgur quickly by spreading them in shallow containers, then refrigerate; keep the parsley salad and Greek yogurt separate until serving for the freshest flavour.
- If you prefer a looser bowl, stir a splash of water into the lentils when reheating; if you like it thicker, simmer the lentils uncovered for a few minutes before portioning.
- If serving to anyone vulnerable to food poisoning, use pasteurised Greek yogurt and keep the yoghurt chilled until the moment you eat.
Substitutions
- Replace bulgur with quinoa for a gluten-free grain base.
- Replace Greek yogurt with soy-yogurt for a dairy-free topping.
- Replace Aleppo pepper with smoked paprika for a milder, smokier heat.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 4 days
- Store the lentils and bulgur in airtight containers for up to 4 days; keep the parsley salad and Greek yogurt separate and add just before eating. Reheat lentils and bulgur in the microwave until piping hot, adding a splash of water if needed. Freeze lentils and bulgur (not the salad or yogurt) for up to 2 months; defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 1h (30min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Turkish
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