12 Turkish Recipes You've Probably Never Tried (But Should)

Beyond the classic kebabs and cucumber salads, Turkish cuisine has a wonderful variety of lesser-known dishes just waiting to be explored. In this collection, you'll find 12 delightful recipes, from savory stuffed pastries and rice-filled onions to a stunning pistachio street food dessert that truly deserves a place on your summer table. Whether it's the smoky grilled favorites, comforting slow-cooked stews, or delicate pastries, there's a delicious taste of Turkey to suit every meal and every palate.

Lamb Shish Kebab

Spiced, tender lamb skewers grilled to smoky perfection. A Turkish classic that's far easier to make at home than you'd think.

To learn more: Lamb Shish Kebab

Su Boregi

Layers of soft pastry, cheese, and herbs baked until golden. A popular Turkish comfort dish that's perfect for sharing at the table.

To learn more: Su Boregi - Water Borek

Manti - Turkish Ravioli

manti is typically served with tomato butter sauce and garlicky yogurt — Ayla Clulee

Tiny hand-folded dumplings filled with spiced beef, boiled and topped with garlicky yoghurt and a drizzle of chilli butter. Proper comfort food.

To learn more: Manti - Turkish Ravioli

Rice Stuffed Onions

Sweet onions filled with spiced rice and herbs, then slow-cooked until meltingly tender. An underrated Turkish classic worth discovering.

To learn more: Rice Stuffed Onions (Soğan Dolması)

Pogaca - Turkish Cheese Buns

Soft, pillowy buns filled with salty cheese. Perfect warm from the oven with your morning coffee or alongside a bowl of soup.

To learn more: Pogaca - Turkish Cheese Buns

Beet Hummus

A vibrant pink twist on the classic dip, made with roasted beets for a naturally sweet, earthy flavour. Serve it with warm pita or crunchy vegetables for a starter that always gets noticed first.

To learn more: Beet Hummus

Turkish Red Pepper Paste

This deeply savoury homemade paste is the secret ingredient behind so many Turkish dishes. Once you make your own, you'll never go back to shop-bought.

To learn more: Biber Salçası (Turkish Red Pepper Paste)

Kandil Simidi - Turkish Savory Cookies

Crumbly, semolina-based savoury cookies with a subtle spice, traditionally baked for special religious occasions. They're far too good to save for just once a year, and keep well in a tin for snacking.

To learn more: Kandil Simidi (Turkish Savoury Cookies)

Güveç (Turkish Lamb Casserole)

Tender lamb slow-cooked with vegetables in a rich tomato sauce, traditionally baked in an earthenware pot until deeply flavourful. It's the kind of one-pot dinner that tastes even better the next day.

To learn more: Güveç (Turkish Lamb Casserole)