Patlıcanlı Musakka
Turkish Cold Moussaka
A refreshing Turkish take on moussaka, this dish features layers of tender fried eggplant and a savory tomato-meat sauce, served chilled. Unlike its Greek counterpart, this version is lighter and omits béchamel sauce.
🧂 Ingredients
- 3 large Eggplant
- 400 g Ground beef(80/20 lean to fat ratio is recommended for flavor)
- 4 large Tomatoes
- 2 Green peppers
- 1 large Onion
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1/2 cup Olive oil(for frying eggplant, plus more for sautéing)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1/4 cup Fresh parsley
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the eggplant: Slice the eggplants into 1 cm thick rounds. Sprinkle generously with salt and let them sit in a colander for about 30 minutes to draw out moisture and bitterness. Rinse the eggplant slices under cold water and pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for preventing oily eggplant.
⏱️ 30 minutes (resting time) - 2
Fry the eggplant: Heat about 1 cm of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the eggplant slices in batches until golden brown and tender on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Avoid overcrowding the pan. Drain the fried eggplant slices on paper towels to remove excess oil.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 3
Prepare the meat sauce: In the same skillet (or a clean one), add a tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the chopped green peppers and cook for another 5 minutes until slightly tender. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
Stir in the grated or diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for about 20-30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 6
Assemble the moussaka: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch (or similar size) baking dish. Arrange half of the fried eggplant slices in a single layer at the bottom of the dish. Spoon half of the meat sauce evenly over the eggplant. Repeat with the remaining eggplant slices and top with the rest of the meat sauce.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 7
Bake the moussaka for 30-40 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the top is slightly browned. The goal is to heat through and meld the flavors, not to create a crispy top.
⏱️ 40 minutes - 8
Cool and serve: Let the moussaka cool completely at room temperature for at least 1 hour. For best results, chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to deepen and the layers to set, making it easier to slice. Serve cold or at room temperature, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
⏱️ Minimum 3 hours (chilling)
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Salting and draining the eggplant is essential to remove bitterness and excess water, leading to less oily and crisper fried slices.
- ✓This Turkish version is intentionally lighter than other moussaka variations, focusing on the eggplant and meat sauce without a heavy béchamel.
- ✓Serving it cold is traditional and allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- ✓Ensure the meat sauce is not too liquidy before layering, as this can make the dish soggy.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a layer of thinly sliced, pre-fried potatoes along with the eggplant.
- For a vegetarian version, replace the ground beef with finely chopped mushrooms, lentils, or a plant-based mince, and adjust seasonings accordingly.