Bolu Pilavı: Easy way to prepare Turkish pilaf

Last updated Jul 8, 2025

Bolu Pilavı is a popular and very famous Turkish dish and has an attractive aroma and color. In Turkey, like Iran, many dishes are prepared with rice, the diversity of which has led to the use of this product in cooking at parties. Rice has many nutrients, the most important of which are fiber and group B.

Şehriyeli Pilav, Tavuklu Pilav, Nohutlu Pilav and Pilav Üstü Döner are famous Turkish dishes that are prepared with rice and are served in restaurants and street kitchens. In this article, we will teach you the easiest way to cook Bolu Pilavı so that you can easily prepare it at home and bring the aroma of Turkish streets to your home.

What are the properties of Rice?

Rice has many benefits for the body and can be used in foods both whole and in the form of flour. This product is rich in fiber, vitamin B, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, and for this reason it is one of the most consumed foods in the world.

Ingredients for Bolu Pilavı for 4 People

To prepare this dish, like all recipes, you must soak the rice in water for 1 to 2 hours before cooking.

Ingredients for the rice:

Rice	2 Cups
Butter	2 Tablespoons
Liquid oil	1 Tablespoon
Broth	3 Cups
Salt	As needed

Medium ingredients for the dish:

Minced or chopped meat	250 Grams
Onion	1 Pc
Of mushrooms	200 Grams
Carrot	1 Pc
Of peas	Half a cup
Of butter or oil	2 Tablespoons
Salt, pepper, turmeric and cinnamon	As needed
Almond paste (optional)	2 Tablespoons

How to make Bolu Pilavı easily at home

Step 1

Wash the rice in several stages and put it in water for 1 hour and set aside.

Step 2

Put a suitable container on the heat and add the butter and oil to it until it melts. Chop the onion and add it to it and fry it until it turns golden.

Step 3

Add the minced or chopped meat to it and fry until its color changes. After this step, chop the mushrooms and mix with the meat and grate or cut the carrots into squares and add to the ingredients along with the peas. Place on medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes until the ingredients are slightly cooked. Add the spices to the ingredients in the required amount and mix together.

Finally, add the sliced almonds or walnuts to the ingredients and fry for another 2 minutes.

Step 4

Now it is time to cook the rice. To do this, place a suitable pot on the heat and add the butter and oil to it until it melts. Drain the rice and add the oil and add a glass of meat broth to it until the rice becomes transparent and slightly soft.

Step 5

Place the container in which you want the food to simmer on the heat and pour a little oil in it. Place some of the rice in it and add the ingredients you prepared on top. Place the rice on top of the ingredients again and continue this process until the rice and ingredients are finished, layer by layer, and finally add two glasses of broth slowly to the rice so that the rice does not get mixed up and close the lid. First, place the pot on high heat until it boils and some of the water is reduced, and then place it on low heat for 30 to 40 minutes until your food is ready and simmering.

Note: You can eat this dish with pickles, Shirazi salad, or yogurt.

Benefits of Bolu Pilavı for the Body

Provides energy to the body
High protein due to the presence of red meat and mushrooms
Strengthens the immune system
High fiber and improves the digestive system
Complete food for dinner or lunch

Disadvantages of Bolu Pilavı for the Body

High calories and weight gain
High carbohydrates
Increases blood pressure and fat
Heart problems
Digestive problems and bloating

Conclusion

Bolu Pilavı is a combination of rice, vegetables and meat, each of which is a rich source of vitamins and has many benefits, especially for growing children. This dish is a certificate of authenticity of Turkish cuisine and is very similar to Iranian dishes such as Stambouli, Chickpea and Carrot Pilaf. You can eat this delicious dish as lunch or dinner with salad and easily prepare it at home anywhere in the world and share your opinions with us.