turkish Recipes
167 delicious turkish recipes from around the world
Etli Biber Dolması (Turkish Stuffed Peppers with Meat and Rice)
A beloved Turkish home-cooking classic, this dish features tender bell peppers generously filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, fresh herbs, and a hint of tomato. Baked in a light tomato sauce, it's a comforting and flavorful meal.
Ezme (Spicy Turkish Tomato Salad)
Ezme is a vibrant and refreshing Turkish meze, or appetizer, featuring finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, onions, and fresh herbs, all brought together with a zesty dressing. It's known for its bright flavors and a pleasant kick of spice, making it an essential accompaniment to grilled meats, kebabs, or simply enjoyed with warm flatbread.
Ezogelin Çorbası (Turkish Red Lentil Soup)
Ezogelin Çorbası, often called 'Bride's Soup,' is a comforting and flavorful Turkish red lentil soup. It features a delightful blend of red lentils, bulgur, and rice, seasoned with mint and a hint of spice. This soup is named after Ezo, a bride whose exquisite soup recipe became legendary.
Gözleme
A traditional Turkish savory flatbread, Gözleme is made from a thin, unleavened dough filled with various ingredients like spinach and feta cheese, then cooked on a special griddle called a 'sac'. It's a popular and satisfying village breakfast or snack.
Halim
A hearty and nourishing Persian wheat porridge, slow-cooked with tender lamb and turkey, traditionally enjoyed as a substantial winter breakfast. The long cooking process breaks down the wheat and meat into a smooth, comforting texture.
Hamsili Pilav
A classic Black Sea specialty, Hamsili Pilav is a flavorful baked rice dish enveloped in fresh anchovies. The savory fish complements the aromatic, herb-infused rice perfectly.
Hünkar Beğendi (Sultan's Delight)
An opulent Ottoman palace dish featuring tender, slow-cooked lamb stew served atop a luxuriously creamy and smoky eggplant purée. This 'Sultan's Delight' is a true taste of history.
İçli Köfte (Stuffed Bulgur Dumplings)
İçli köfte, meaning 'stuffed meatballs' in Turkish, are exquisite torpedo-shaped dumplings made from a delicate bulgur and semolina dough, generously filled with a savory mixture of spiced ground meat, onions, and walnuts. Often considered a culinary art form, especially in the Gaziantep region, these are a labor of love that rewards with incredible flavor and texture.
İmam Bayıldı (The Imam Fainted)
A classic Turkish dish of eggplants stuffed with a savory mixture of onions, tomatoes, and garlic, then slow-braised in abundant olive oil until meltingly tender. The name, 'The Imam Fainted,' is said to refer to the dish's rich flavor, the amount of olive oil used, or perhaps its perceived expense.
İskender Kebab
A classic Turkish dish featuring thinly sliced, flavorful döner kebab meat served over pieces of pide bread, generously topped with a rich tomato sauce and a drizzle of browned butter, accompanied by a cooling side of yogurt.
İskender Kebap
A classic Turkish dish from Bursa, featuring thinly sliced döner kebab layered over pieces of pide bread, generously topped with a rich tomato sauce, a dollop of cool yogurt, and finished with a sizzling, paprika-infused butter sauce. It's a hearty and flavorful experience.
Kabak Mücver (Turkish Zucchini Fritters)
Crispy, herb-flecked zucchini fritters, a quintessential summer mezze dish. These savory cakes are light yet satisfying, perfect as an appetizer or a light meal.
Karnıyarık (Belly Split Open)
A classic Turkish dish featuring tender, fried eggplants that are "split open" and generously filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, onions, tomatoes, and peppers. It's a hearty and flavorful main course.
Kaşarlı Sucuklu Pide
A classic Turkish 'boat pizza' featuring a savory filling of melted kashar cheese and spicy sucuk sausage, baked to golden perfection. This comforting dish is a popular street food and a delightful meal.
Kataifi (Shredded Phyllo Nests)
Delicate nests of crispy shredded phyllo dough, filled with a fragrant mixture of chopped nuts and drenched in a sweet lemon-infused syrup. A traditional and beloved sweet, especially popular during Ramadan.
Keşkül (Turkish Almond Pudding)
A rich and creamy Turkish almond pudding, traditionally served in the Ottoman palaces. This elegant dessert features ground almonds and a delicate sweetness, making it a light yet satisfying treat.
Köfte (Turkish Grilled Meatballs)
Authentic Turkish köfte, featuring a flavorful blend of ground beef and lamb, seasoned with aromatic spices and fresh herbs. These meatballs are traditionally grilled over charcoal, achieving a perfect char and juicy interior. Serve with warm pita bread, sliced onions, and fresh tomatoes for a complete and satisfying meal.
Köfte Izgara (Turkish Grilled Meatballs)
Authentic Turkish köfte, these spiced beef meatballs are shaped into classic oval forms and grilled to perfection, offering a delightful char and savory flavor. A quintessential kebab experience, best served with sumac-infused onions.
Kumpir (Turkish Loaded Baked Potato)
Kumpir is a popular Turkish street food featuring a giant baked potato, mashed with butter and cheese, and loaded with a variety of delicious toppings. It's a hearty and customizable meal, perfect for any time of day.
Künefe
A decadent Turkish cheese pastry from Hatay, featuring shredded phyllo dough (kadayıf) layered with a stretchy, mild cheese and drenched in a sweet lemon-infused syrup. It's a warm, gooey, and delightfully crispy dessert best served immediately.
Kuzu Tandır (Turkish Pit-Roasted Lamb)
Kuzu Tandır is a traditional Turkish dish from Central Anatolia, featuring lamb slow-cooked to perfection in an underground oven (tandı r). This method results in incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone meat infused with the flavors of simple aromatics. While traditionally cooked in a pit, this recipe adapts the technique for a standard oven.
Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza)
Lahmacun, often called 'Turkish pizza', is a delightfully crispy, paper-thin flatbread generously topped with a spiced mixture of minced lamb, onions, tomatoes, and peppers. It's traditionally rolled up with fresh parsley, a squeeze of lemon, and a sprinkle of sumac before enjoying.
Lokma (Turkish Fried Dough)
Lokma are delightful, bite-sized Turkish fried dough balls, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, generously soaked in a sweet lemon-infused syrup. A beloved street food and dessert.
Lokum (Turkish Delight)
Authentic Lokum, a classic Turkish delight made with fragrant rose water and crunchy pistachios, dusted with powdered sugar. A delightful chewy confection perfect for sharing or gifting.