15 Classic Turkish Dishes That Deserve a Spot on Your Table

These 15 classic Turkish dishes are everyday staples you’ll see in homes across Türkiye. They’re simple, comforting, and full of familiar flavours. From slow-cooked beans and savoury pastries to hearty meat dishes and fresh veg, these are the kinds of meals families have been making for generations. The ingredients are easy to find, the steps are straightforward, and everything comes together in a way that feels warm and homemade.

Manti - Turkish Ravioli

Manti (or Mantu) is a delicious and popular Turkish dish made with small, savory, and tender dumplings. The dumplings are typically filled with a juicy and flavorful mixture of meat and spices.

They are traditionally served with tangy garlic yogurt and drizzled with spicy butter sauce, adding even more depth and complexity to this famous Turkish dish.

To learn more: Manti Dumplings - Turkish Ravioli Recipe

Su Boregi

Su Boregi which means "Water Borek" is one of the most loved boreks in Turkey, and is by far the best of all Turkish Pastries. 

Us Turks love these delicious savory treats and we eat them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a snack any time of the day.

To learn more: Su Boregi - Water Borek

Dolma - Meat Stuffed Grape Leaves

Meat Stuffed Grape Leaves (a.k.a Dolmas or Dolmades) is a Turkish dish that is also very popular in many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. This dish is known as "Etli Yaprak Sarma" in Turkey and is made with ground meat, fresh herbs, and rice wrapped in vine leaves.

To learn more: Meat Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmas)

Türlü - Roasted Summer Vegetables

Türlü is a healthy and delicious Mediterranean dish made with a mix of seasonal vegetables roasted with olive oil and tomato. It’s a simple, wholesome meal that’s full of soft, tender vegetables and warm spices. Türlü is often served as a main or a side and is perfect for using up whatever vegetables you have in the kitchen. Everything cooks together in one dish, so it's great for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend cooking. You can serve it hot, straight from the oven, or at room temperature!

To learn more: Türlü - Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables

Cilbir - Turkish Poached Eggs

Cilbir is a delicious Turkish breakfast egg dish made with poached eggs served on a bed of silky garlic yogurt and finished with a drizzle of chili-infused butter or EVOO.

Our favorite way to enjoy these delicious Cilbir eggs is with a piece of pillowy Turkish Pide Bread - Ramazan Pidesi or a crusty Simit (Turkish Sesame Bagel) to wipe every last bit of the deliciously silky yogurt.

To learn more: Cilbir - Turkish Poached Eggs

Kuzu Incik - Turkish Lamb Shank

Kuzu Incik is a delicious Turkish dish made with lamb shank gently simmered with vegetables and herbs in stock until it's tender and full of flavour. If you’re new to Turkish food or just want an easy lamb recipe to try, Kuzu İncik is a great place to start. You won’t need any hard-to-find ingredients or complicated techniques.

To learn more: Kuzu Incik - Turkish Lamb Shank

Stuffed Dried Aubergines

Kuru Patlıcan Dolması - Stuffed Dried Aubergines is a comforting and delicious Turkish dish made by filling dried aubergines with a mixture of rice, spices, and herbs. It’s one of those recipes that’s often made in big batches to share with family. The drying of the eggplants gives them a deep, rich flavor that’s totally different from fresh ones, and once they’re filled and cooked, they become incredibly tender and tasty.

To learn more: Kuru Patlıcan Dolması - Stuffed Dried Eggplant

Ankara Tava - Turkish Lamb and Rice

Ankara Tava is a delicious and hearty Turkish lamb and rice dish made with tender, slow-cooked lamb pieces and spiced aromatic rice. It comes from Central Anatolia, where cooking with lamb and rice has been a tradition for generations.

To learn more: Ankara Tava - Turkish Lamb and Rice

Iskender Kebab

Iskender Kebab (or Kebap) is undoubtedly one of Turkey's most iconic dishes. It is made with tender slices of döner kebab meat served over pita bread and topped with a flavorful tomato sauce, grilled vegetables, sizzling butter, and creamy yogurt.

To learn more: Iskender Kebab

Kuzu Guvec

Kuzu Guvec is a Turkish Lamb Casserole dish made with lamb and vegetables slowly cooked in an earthenware pot. 

Same as Baked Prawns (Karides Guvec), this authentic dish has rich, earthy, and smoky aromas, and is low in calories, nutritious and gluten-free.

To learn more: Kuzu Guvec (Turkish Lamb Casserole)

Green Bean Stew with Meat

Etli Taze Fasulye Yemegi, or Green Bean Stew with Meat, is a traditional Turkish vegetable stew where fresh green beans and meat are simmered in a simple tomato sauce until tender. This delicious and simple summer dish has been a family favorite in our household for many years.

To learn more: Etli Taze Fasulye - Green Bean Stew with Meat

Ashure Dessert

Ashure (Aşure), also known as Noah's Pudding, is a rich, unique, and traditional dessert that's rich in history and flavor. Made with a delightful mix of grains, legumes, nuts, and fruits, this super nutritious treat is a true gem in Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.

To learn more: Ashure Dessert - Noah's Pudding

Tulumba Tatlısı

'Tulumba Tatlisi', also known as 'Bamiyeh' or 'Balah el Sham', is a traditional Turkish fried dough dessert famous for its crispy texture and syrupy sweetness. This popular street food is made from mini choux pastry dough balls, piped into cold oil, fried, and then dipped in sweet syrup.

Just like Sekerpare (Turkish Semolina Cookies) and Kunefe (Kunafa) - Turkish Cheese Dessert, it is one of the most delicious syrupy treats of Turkish cuisine.

To learn more: Tulumba Tatlisi - Turkish Fried Dough Dessert

Tandir - Turkish Roasted Lamb

Kuzu Tandır Kebab is a delicious slow-cooked Turkish Roasted Lamb dish traditionally cooked in a clay "tandır oven" for long hours, until fork tender. 

With this simple recipe, you can easily make this special lamb dish at home with only a few ingredients and 10 minutes of preparation.

To learn more: Kuzu Tandır Kebab - Turkish Roasted Lamb 

Adana Kebab

Adana Kebab (a.k.a Adana Kebap or Adana Kofte) is a delicious hand-minced meat kebab mounted on a skewer and then grilled over charcoal. This delicious spicy ground lamb kebab is a staple of Turkish street food and can be found on menus around the world. The good news is that all you need is a few ingredients and 4 metal skewers to make this easy recipe at home. The best way to serve these flavorsome and juicy kebabs is on flatbread, or with rice and a variety of salads and mezes.

To learn more: Adana Kebab (Adana Kofte)