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Small, roughly round bulgur balls with a reddish-brown surface and a coarse, visibly grainy texture, arranged on a plate.

Bulgur balls Calories

Bulgur balls

In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter

CALORIES · 100 G

160kcal

GI

48medium

POTASSIUM · 100 G

110mg

FIBER · 100 G

4.5g

Quick answer

3 piece (medium) of Bulgur balls (90 g) has 144 calories. That works out to 160 calories per 100 g. It contains 27 g of carbs, 4.1 g of protein, 2.3 g of fat and 4.1 g of fiber. Its 0.5 mg of Manganese covers 20% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 48 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.

Bulgur balls Nutrition Facts

Selected: 3 piece (medium) · 90 g

144

KCAL / 90G

Carbs

27g

· 10% DV

Protein

4.1g

· 8% DV

Fat

2.3g

· 3% DV

Fiber

4.1g

· 15% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 74% · Protein 11% · Fat 15%

Bulgur balls nutrition facts table · 3 piece (medium) (90 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories144 kcal
Total fat2.3 g3%
Saturated fat0.27 g1%
Trans fat0 g
Sodium72 mg3%
Total carbohydrate27 g10%
Fiber4.1 g15%
Protein4.1 g8%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

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How Many Calories in 3 Pieces of Bulgur balls?

ServingAmountCalories
3 piece (medium)90 g144 kcal
1 piece (small)30 g48 kcal
100 g100 g160 kcal
1 serving (medium)120 g192 kcal
1 cup (medium)140 g224 kcal
5 piece (large)150 g240 kcal
2 serving (large)240 g384 kcal

Calculated from 160 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bulgur balls

What are bulgur balls made of?

Bulgur balls are usually made from fine bulgur mixed with water, onion, tomato paste, and seasonings. Some recipes add flour or semolina to help bind the mixture, while herbs, lentils, or different spices can give the balls a regional or family-style variation.

How do you cook bulgur balls?

Bulgur balls are commonly simmered in water or cooked directly in a sauce. Shape the kneaded bulgur mixture into small balls, add them carefully to the cooking liquid, and avoid vigorous stirring so they keep their shape.

Why do bulgur balls fall apart when cooking?

Bulgur balls usually fall apart when the mixture is too dry, too loose, or not kneaded enough to bind. Let the bulgur absorb its liquid fully, knead until cohesive, and test-cook one ball before adding the rest.

Are bulgur balls the same as kibbeh?

No, bulgur balls are not automatically the same as kibbeh. Kibbeh commonly has a bulgur-based shell and may contain a meat filling, while bulgur balls can be simple, unfilled pieces served with sauce; recipes and names vary by region.

Can bulgur balls be baked instead of boiled?

Yes, some bulgur balls can be baked, though many traditional recipes simmer them or cook them in sauce. Baking works best when the mixture holds together firmly; brush or toss the balls lightly with oil to keep their surface from drying out.

What sauce goes with bulgur balls?

A tomato and garlic sauce is a common match for bulgur balls, and yogurt sauce also works well. Choose a mild sauce if the balls are strongly spiced, or serve both options so each person can balance the flavor.

Can you make bulgur balls without eggs?

Yes, bulgur balls can be made without eggs. Fine bulgur, careful hydration, and thorough kneading often provide enough structure; if a recipe needs extra binding, it may use a little flour or semolina instead.

How long do cooked bulgur balls last in the fridge?

Cooked bulgur balls keep for about three to four days in the refrigerator when cooled promptly and stored in a sealed container. Store them with their sauce if possible, then reheat until steaming hot and add a splash of water if they seem dry.

Can you freeze bulgur balls?

Yes, bulgur balls freeze well after cooking. Cool them completely, freeze them in a single layer before packing into a container, and reheat from thawed or frozen in a little sauce so they do not dry out.

Are bulgur balls filling?

Bulgur balls can be filling because bulgur provides fiber and the balls are often served as a substantial side or meal. Pairing them with vegetables and a protein-rich food such as yogurt or beans makes the meal more satisfying.

Bulgur balls Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B3

0.99mg · 6% DV

B1

0.07mg · 6% DV

B5

0.27mg · 5% DV

Folate

18µg · 5% DV

Minerals

Manganese

0.45mg · 20% DV

Copper

0.09mg · 10% DV

Phosphorus

54mg · 8% DV

Magnesium

32mg · 8% DV

Sodium

72mg · 3% DV

Potassium ⭐

99mg · 3% DV

Bulgur balls Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

48
Medium
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

10.8
Medium

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Bulgur balls

To burn the 144 calories in 3 piece (medium) (90 g):

🚶

36min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

15min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

20min

Cycling

🏊

17min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Bulgur balls?

Bulgur balls are a Turkish home-style dish made by softening fine bulgur, then kneading it—often with flour, tomato paste and seasonings—and shaping it into small balls. Recipes vary by region and household; some are served with a sauce rather than having a filling.

Their texture is tender with a little bite, and the flavour is often savoury and gently spiced. In Turkey, they may be served with garlicky yoghurt or tomato sauce, as part of a shared meal, or sometimes in soup. They are mainly a source of carbohydrates, with 4.5 g of fibre per 100 g. For a lighter plate, boil rather than fry them and serve with yoghurt, herbs or a crisp salad.

How Nutritious Is Bulgur balls?

Nutrient density

Medium

45/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

53/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Is Bulgur balls Processed?

NOVA 2

Minimally Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Bulgur balls Contain Allergens?

Contains these allergens:

Gluten yes
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Bulgur balls Good For?

Vegan

— Not suitable

Vegetarian

✓ Suitable

Gluten-Free

— Not suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

— Not suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

— Not suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Bulgur balls Fat Profile

SATURATED

0.27g

MONOUNSATURATED

0.45g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.54g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 22.5:1

Above the ideal 4:1 (22.5:1).

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.