Coconut Free Cilantro-Lime Lentil & Bulgur Bowl with Tomatoes
This hearty grain-and-legume bowl is bright, filling, and packed with fresh flavor from every angle. Turmeric and cumin simmer right into the lentils, while a punchy lime-and-garlic dressing ties the whole thing together with just enough zing. The bulgur adds a satisfying, slightly chewy texture that makes this feel like a real meal rather than a side dish. Cherry tomatoes and fresh cilantro keep things light and vibrant, and optional avocado slices push it firmly into comfort-food territory. Every single ingredient here is naturally free from coconut in any form — no coconut oil, no coconut milk, no hidden coconut derivatives — so you can cook and eat with complete confidence. It's the kind of wholesome, plant-forward bowl that works just as well for a weeknight dinner as it does for meal prep, since the flavors only deepen as it sits.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the lentils
- 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
- 2 ½ cups water
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp salt
For the bulgur
- 1 cup medium bulgur wheat
- 1 ¾ cups water
- ¼ tsp salt
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
For the bowl
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- 3 scallions (green tops only), thinly sliced
For serving
- 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
- lime wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the rinsed lentils, 2½ cups water, turmeric, cumin, and ½ tsp salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook, uncovered, until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape, 20–25 minutes. Drain any excess water through a fine-mesh strainer and set aside.
- 2
While the lentils cook, bring 1¾ cups water and ¼ tsp salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in the bulgur, cover tightly, and remove from heat. Let stand until the water is fully absorbed and the bulgur is tender with a slight chew, about 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
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