Kısır
Turkish salad of fine bulgur, parsley and tomato paste, served at room temperature
Kısır is a salad from Turkey made mainly with finely ground bulgur, parsley, and tomato paste. Other common ingredients include onion, pomegranate molasses, olive oil, lemon juice, cucumber, and spices. It is usually served at room temperature as a side dish or meze, often with lettuce leaves.
- Kısır is a Turkish salad made with fine bulgur and tomato paste
- It is often flavored with pomegranate molasses and fresh herbs
- The dish is served at room temperature, sometimes with lettuce leaves
- Kısır gets its reddish color from tomato paste
What is Kısır?
Kısır is a salad made with finely ground bulgur, which is a type of cracked wheat. The bulgur is mixed with chopped parsley and tomato paste, giving the dish a reddish color. Other ingredients often added are onion, pomegranate molasses (a thick, tangy syrup), olive oil, lemon juice, cucumber, small pickles called cornichons, and various spices. The result is a moist, grain-based salad with fresh herbs and a balance of tangy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. It is usually served at room temperature, sometimes decorated with olives or cucumber slices.
Where does Kısır come from?
Kısır comes from Turkey and is a familiar part of Turkish cuisine. It is also found in Kurdish cooking. The dish is similar to other bulgur salads in the region, such as tabbouleh and eetch, but has its own distinct mix of ingredients and flavors. The use of tomato paste and pomegranate molasses sets it apart, giving it a unique color and taste. Its exact origins are not detailed in the sources, but it is a well-established everyday food in Turkey.
How is Kısır made?
To make kısır, finely ground bulgur is moistened, then mixed with tomato paste and chopped parsley. Onion and, in some regions, garlic are added for flavor. Pomegranate molasses, olive oil, and lemon juice provide tang and richness. Cucumber and cornichons may be included for crunch and freshness, and a variety of spices are used according to taste. The salad is stirred until the bulgur absorbs the flavors and turns reddish from the tomato paste.
How and when is Kısır eaten?
Kısır is usually served at room temperature. It is eaten as a side dish, a light lunch, or as part of a meze spread, which is a selection of small dishes served as appetizers. It can be presented with lettuce leaves, which are sometimes used to scoop up the salad. The dish is popular for everyday meals and gatherings, and is often shared among friends or family.
Kinds of Kısır
There are regional differences in how kısır is prepared. Some areas add garlic, while others might use more or less pomegranate molasses or lemon juice. The choice of spices and extra vegetables like cucumber or cornichons can also vary. While the basic combination of bulgur, parsley, and tomato paste remains the same, each cook may adjust the recipe to their taste.
What Kısır means
Kısır is a common and well-loved dish in Turkey, often appearing at gatherings and as part of meze selections. Its simple ingredients and quick preparation make it a popular choice for everyday meals. The salad is also a point of connection with similar dishes in neighboring cuisines, reflecting shared food traditions in the region.
Questions people ask about Kısır
What is kısır made of?
Kısır is mainly made from finely ground bulgur, parsley, and tomato paste. Other common ingredients include onion, pomegranate molasses, olive oil, lemon juice, cucumber, cornichons, and spices.
Where does kısır come from?
Kısır comes from Turkey and is a regular part of Turkish cuisine. It is also found in Kurdish cooking.
How is kısır served?
Kısır is usually served at room temperature as a side dish or meze, sometimes with lettuce leaves for scooping.
Is kısır vegetarian or vegan?
Kısır is vegan, as it contains no animal products. Its main ingredients are plant-based.
What does kısır taste like?
Kısır has a tangy, savory flavor from tomato paste, pomegranate molasses, and lemon juice, with freshness from parsley and cucumber.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Kısır", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
More from Turkey
All the food of Turkey
HummusVegan
🇸🇾 Syria and 5 moreMashed chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon, and garlic, served as a dip or spread
Sauce, pickle or ferment, Breakfast, Lunch
TzatzikiVegetarianτζατζίκι
🇬🇷 Greece and 5 moreStrained yogurt mixed with cucumber, garlic and herbs, served cold as a dip or sauce
Sauce, pickle or ferment, Lunch, Dinner
Baba ghanoushVeganبابا غنوج
🇪🇬 Egypt and 5 moreRoasted eggplant mashed with tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice, served as a dip
Salad or side, Snacks
FattoushVeganفتوش
🇱🇧 Lebanon and 6 moreLevantine salad of toasted pita, mixed greens, and vegetables
Salad or side
Its cousins elsewhere
All salads and sides
Greek saladVegetarianΧωριάτικη σαλάτα
🇬🇷 Greece and 1 moreTomato, cucumber, onion, feta and olives with olive oil and oregano
Salad or side, Lunch, Dinner
Shopska saladVegetarianШопска салата
🇧🇬 Bulgaria and 3 moreA cold salad of tomato, cucumber, peppers, onion and white brined cheese from Bulgaria
Salad or side, Lunch, Dinner
MizeriaVegetarian
🇵🇱 PolandPolish cucumber salad with sour cream and fresh herbs
Salad or side, Lunch, Dinner
FavaVeganφάβα
🇬🇷 GreeceGreek split pea purée served warm or cold as a dip or spread
Sauce, pickle or ferment, Lunch, Dinner