Chili Lentil Bulgur
Brown lentils and bulgur simmered with chili and tomato. Hearty, one-pot, and leaves nothing to clean but a spoon.
- calories
- 680
- weight
- 5.3 oz
- cal / oz
- 128
- protein
- 26 g
- serves
- 1, scales
- prep
- 3 min
- cook
- 25 min
- total time
- 28 min
- water
- 500 ml boiled
- cost
- $
Calorie and protein figures are my own estimates, good enough for planning a food bag and not meant as precise nutrition data.
- Dinner
- Canister stove
- Backpacking
- Vegetarian
- One pot
- Pre-mix at home
- Shelf stable
- Dump and stir
Ingredients
| Brown lentils | 1/3 cup | dry measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Bulgur | 1/4 cup | |
| Butter | 1 tbsp | carry in a small container |
| Dried onion | 1 tbsp | |
| Tomato bouillon cube | 1 | |
| Chili powder | 1 tsp | |
| Dried parsley | 1 tbsp | |
| Brown sugar | 1 tsp | |
| Walnuts, chopped | 1/4 cup | optional topping |
| Cornstarch | 1 tsp | optional, if the broth stays soupy |
| Nido milk powder | 2 tbsp | optional, for richness |
Method
- Boil 500 ml of water in your pot.
- Add lentils and simmer for 15 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Stir in bulgur, dried onion, tomato bouillon, chili powder, brown sugar, and cornstarch if using.
- Simmer for 10 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until bulgur is tender and lentils are fully cooked.
- Remove from heat. Stir in butter and milk powder if using.
- Top with chopped walnuts and eat while hot.
Lentils take time but reward patience. Bulgur swells as it drinks the broth and fills the bowl without demanding attention. Brown sugar quiets the chili just enough—sharp without being punishing.
Butter and walnuts carry the calories. Milk powder is optional; add it if you want creaminess, skip it if you want to save weight. Cornstarch helps thicken a thin broth but is not required. The lentils themselves will thicken everything eventually.
Packing
Mix the dry ingredients at home: lentils, bulgur, dried onion, bouillon cube, chili powder, parsley, brown sugar, and cornstarch into one quart freezer bag. Pack butter in a film canister. Walnuts go in a separate bag so they stay dry and don't crush everything.
Variations
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for more heat.
- Substitute sunflower seeds for walnuts if tree nuts are a problem.
https://www.trailgroove.com/blogs/entry/578-quick-easy-3-day-backpacking-meal-plan-with-recipes