Dinner

Aromatic Mince & Apricots with Minty Bulgur Recipe

ByHailey Reed January 3, 2026January 3, 2026

Introduction

This aromatic mince and apricot dish is a delightful blend of savory spices and sweet fruit, paired perfectly with minty bulgur wheat. It’s a simple yet flavorful meal that brings warmth and freshness to your dinner table.

A white bowl holds two main layers side by side: on the left is a pale yellow bulgur wheat mixed with small green mint leaves and sprinkled with light brown almond slices. On the right, there is a rich brown stew made of ground meat, chickpeas, and cooked onions, topped with more almond slices. A fork with a wooden handle rests inside the bowl, partially on the bulgur. Below this bowl, another similar white bowl contains the same bulgur wheat with mint leaves and almond slices. Nearby, there is a small white bowl filled with extra almond slices, and a tall, light-colored pepper grinder stands on a white marbled surface with pinkish tan tiles underneath. The sunlight casts soft shadows across the scene. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tbsp rapeseed oil
1 onion, halved and thinly sliced
200g lean beef mince (5% fat)
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tbsp harissa paste
2 tbsp tomato purée
1 tsp vegetable bouillon powder
400g can chickpeas, not drained
5 dried apricots, halved
160g bulgur wheat
1 tbsp fresh mint leaves, chopped
10g toasted almond flakes

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the rapeseed oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and fry, stirring occasionally, until it starts to turn golden.
Step 2: Add the lean beef mince to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until the mince is browned all over.
Step 3: Stir in the cumin seeds, harissa paste, and tomato purée. Then add the vegetable bouillon powder, the canned chickpeas along with their liquid, halved apricots, and 150ml of water. Mix everything well.
Step 4: Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Step 5: While the mince cooks, bring 1 litre of water to a boil in a separate pot. Add the bulgur wheat, cover, and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes or until tender.
Step 6: Drain the bulgur if any water remains. Stir in the chopped fresh mint leaves to add a refreshing touch.
Step 7: Serve the spicy mince mixture over the minty bulgur and scatter toasted almond flakes on top for crunch and extra flavor.

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian version, substitute the beef mince with textured vegetable protein or lentils.
Add more harissa paste if you like your dish spicier, or reduce it for a milder taste.
Try swapping apricots for dried figs or dates for a different sweet note.
Use fresh herbs like coriander along with mint for an extra layer of freshness.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove or in the microwave until heated through. Bulgur can dry out when refrigerated, so add a splash of water before reheating if needed.