EatBetterEatBetter
Foods ▾
Ready & Packaged FoodsVegetables & LegumesDesserts & ConfectioneryMeat & ProteinGrains & BakeryBeveragesMilk & DairyNatural & Other Foods

Ready & Packaged Foods

All →
Fast Food & RestaurantBurgers · Pizza · Doner & Wrap · Fried Sides · Restaurant Menu Items

Explore foods by category, subcategory or brand

CompareBrands
Tools ▾

Calorie Calculator

Work out your daily calorie needs

BMI Calculator

Body mass index from your height and weight

Food GuideCompareBlog
TR
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
A loose mound of coarse freekeh bulgur, made up of small, irregular cracked grains in muted olive-green, tan, and brown shades, with a dry, slightly rough texture.
●Low GI
⚡High Potassium
🌿High Fiber

Freekeh bulgur Calories

Traditional bulgur made from roasted green wheat (freekeh)

In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter

CALORIES · 100 G

340kcal

GI

43low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

400mg

FIBER · 100 G

12.2g

Quick answer

½ cup (medium) of Freekeh bulgur (80 g) has 272 calories. That works out to 340 calories per 100 g. It contains 54.4 g of carbs, 10 g of protein, 2 g of fat and 9.8 g of fiber. Its 1.7 mg of Manganese covers 73% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 43 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Freekeh bulgur Nutrition Facts

Selected: ½ cup (medium) · 80 g

272

KCAL / 80G

Carbs

54.4g

· 20% DV

Protein

10g

· 20% DV

Fat

2g

· 3% DV

Fiber

9.8g

· 35% DV

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

Calories come from: Carbs 79% · Protein 15% · Fat 6%

Freekeh bulgur nutrition facts table · ½ cup (medium) (80 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories272 kcal
Total fat2 g3%
Saturated fat0.24 g1%
Trans fat0 g
Sodium14 mg1%
Total carbohydrate54.4 g20%
Fiber9.8 g35%
Protein10 g20%

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.

EatBetter

Log this food in EatBetter

100,000+ people use it

  • Get your daily calorie target
  • Snap your meal, log it in seconds
  • See every vitamin and mineral
QR code to get the EatBetter app

📸 Scan the code to get the app free.

The EatBetter app recognising potatoes, broccoli and salmon on a plate

How Many Calories in ½ Cup of Freekeh bulgur?

ServingAmountCalories
½ cup (medium)80 g272 kcal
0.25 cup (small)40 g136 kcal
100 g100 g340 kcal
1 serving (medium)100 g340 kcal
1 cup (large)160 g544 kcal
2 serving (large)200 g680 kcal
1 pack (whole)500 g1700 kcal

Calculated from 340 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Freekeh bulgur

What is freekeh bulgur?

Freekeh bulgur is cracked green wheat that has been harvested before fully ripening and roasted. That roasting gives it a distinctive smoky, toasted flavor; it is commonly cooked as a grain side dish or pilaf.

How do you cook freekeh bulgur?

Rinse freekeh bulgur, then simmer it in water or stock until tender and the liquid is absorbed. You can first sauté onion and spices, then add the grain and liquid; let it rest covered before fluffing and serving.

Is freekeh bulgur the same as bulgur?

No. Freekeh bulgur is made from young green wheat that is roasted before being cracked, while conventional bulgur is made from mature wheat that is parboiled, dried, and cracked. Freekeh has a smokier flavor and a firmer bite.

What does freekeh bulgur taste like?

Freekeh bulgur tastes smoky, earthy, and lightly nutty, with a pleasantly chewy texture. Its roasted flavor stands out in pilafs and grain salads, and pairs especially well with onions, legumes, herbs, and roasted vegetables.

Do you need to soak freekeh bulgur before cooking it?

No, soaking freekeh bulgur is usually optional. Soaking can shorten cooking time, especially for coarser grains; rinse it first, drain it well, and follow the package directions for the amount of liquid and cooking time.

How is freekeh bulgur different from quinoa?

Freekeh bulgur is roasted young wheat, while quinoa is a seed from a different plant. Freekeh is chewier and smokier, so it works especially well in hearty pilafs; quinoa has a milder taste and softer, separate grains.

Can you use freekeh bulgur instead of rice?

Yes, freekeh bulgur can replace rice in pilafs, grain bowls, and many side dishes. Its smoky taste will make the dish more robust, and it may need a different cooking time, so check the grains as they simmer.

What goes well with freekeh bulgur?

Freekeh bulgur pairs well with chickpeas, lentils, chicken, lamb, roasted vegetables, and fresh herbs. For a Turkish-style meal, serve it as a pilaf alongside yogurt or a simple salad; its toasted flavor also complements lemon and spices.

Can you freeze cooked freekeh bulgur?

Yes, cooked freekeh bulgur freezes well. Cool it promptly, pack it in an airtight freezer-safe container, and thaw it in the refrigerator or reheat it directly with a splash of water so the grains do not dry out.

Does freekeh bulgur need to be rinsed?

Rinsing freekeh bulgur before cooking is a good idea because it removes loose dust and any small particles from processing. Drain it thoroughly before adding it to a pan, especially if you are first sautéing it with aromatics.

Freekeh bulgur Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B1

0.32mg · 27% DV

B3

3.6mg · 23% DV

B5

0.88mg · 18% DV

Biotin

4.8µg · 16% DV

Minerals

Manganese

1.68mg · 73% DV

Phosphorus

240mg · 34% DV

Copper

0.24mg · 27% DV

Zinc

1.68mg · 15% DV

Potassium ⭐

320mg · 9% DV

Sodium

14mg · 1% DV

Freekeh bulgur Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

43
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

10.4
Medium

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

How to Burn Off Freekeh bulgur

To burn the 272 calories in ½ cup (medium) (80 g):

🚶

67min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

28min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

37min

Cycling

🏊

32min

Swimming

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

What is Freekeh bulgur?

Freekeh bulgur is made from young green wheat that is roasted, rubbed to remove the husks, then cracked like bulgur. It is traditional in parts of the Middle East, including Türkiye and the Levant, where freekeh has long been used in everyday cooking.

Roasting gives it a gently smoky, nutty flavour, while the grains stay pleasantly chewy. It works well in pilafs, soups and salads, and is often cooked with vegetables, chickpeas or meat. With notable fibre and plant protein, it makes a filling grain for a main meal. For a lighter plate, cook it with plenty of vegetables and serve with a fresh salad or a spoonful of yoghurt.

How Nutritious Is Freekeh bulgur?

Nutrient density

High

65/ 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

55/ 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 Freekeh bulgur 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 Freekeh bulgur 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 Freekeh bulgur Good For?

Vegan

✓ 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

Freekeh bulgur Fat Profile

SATURATED

0.24g

MONOUNSATURATED

0.24g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.8g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 24:1

Above the ideal 4:1 (24:1).

Compare Freekeh bulgur

🌾vs🍚
Freekeh bulgur vs Bulgur Pilaf220 kcal more per 100 g
→
🌾vs🍝
Freekeh bulgur vs Whole wheat pasta216 kcal more per 100 g
→
🌾vs🥖
Freekeh bulgur vs Breadstick70 kcal fewer per 100 g
→
🌾vs🥯
Freekeh bulgur vs SimitSame calories per 100 g
→

Foods Similar to Freekeh bulgur

🍚

Bulgur Pilaf

120 kcal

🍝

Whole wheat pasta

124 kcal

🥖

Breadstick

410 kcal

🥯

Simit

340 kcal

🥣

Granola

450 kcal

🍚

Rice Pilaf

150 kcal

🍚

Basmati Rice Pilaf

140 kcal

🍝

Pasta (Boiled)

155 kcal

Have another question about Freekeh bulgur?

Ask the AI nutrition coach — calories, portions, alternatives and more, answered in seconds in the app.

EatBetter

Scan calories with your camera

Instant AI nutrition analysis

App StoreGoogle Play

Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.