Spice up your meal routine with these 15 quick, easy, and budget-friendly Turkish recipes. Perfect for any night of the week, they bring a taste of Turkey straight to your kitchen without breaking the bank.
I chose these delightful recipes from my Turkish background to introduce the food traditions that have been part of my family for years.
Imam Bayildi - Stuffed Aubergine
Imam Bayildi (Turkish Stuffed Aubergine) is a classic Ottoman dish made with aubergines cooked in a generous amount of olive oil and then stuffed with a mixture of onions, tomatoes, and garlic.
Same as Yaprak Sarma-Dolma (Stuffed Grape Leaves), Zeytinyagli Pirasa Yemegi (Turkish Braised Leeks), Zeytinyagli Kereviz Yemegi - Braised Celeriac, and Barbunya (Turkish Style Borlotti Beans), it is a part of the "Zeytinyagli" (Braised in Olive Oil) category in Turkish Cuisine.
To learn more: Imam Bayildi (Turkish Stuffed Eggplant)
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
Lahana Sarmasi - Cabbage Rolls
Turkish Cabbage Rolls (a.k.a Lahana Sarmasi or Dolmasi) is a flavourful dish made of cabbage leaves filled with spiced meat&bulgur mixture.
You can prepare these stuffed cabbage rolls ahead and reheat them before serving them to your dinner guests. Perfect dish for entertaining!
To learn more: Turkish Cabbage Rolls - Lahana Sarmasi
Circassian Chicken
Çerkez Tavuğu (Circassian Chicken) is a delicious mezze/appetizer made of shredded poached chicken mixed with a creamy walnut sauce. This recipe is a great way to use up leftover roast chicken or stale bread pieces.
Ready in 30 minutes, this unique chicken dish is perfect for quick weekday meals or big family gatherings.
To learn more: Çerkez Tavuğu (Circassian Chicken)
Tavuk Sote - Sautéed Chicken
Tavuk Sote (Turkish Chicken Sauté) is a wholesome, simple, and healthy chicken dish full of Mediterranean flavors. It is made by sautéing chicken pieces with onions, tomatoes, peppers, and a variety of spices. This delightful chicken dish ticks all the boxes for the ideal weekday meal.
To learn more: Tavuk Sote (Turkish Chicken Sauté)
Bamya - Okra Stew
Bamya, also known as Bamia or Bamyeh, is a classic Turkish stew dish made with okra, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and lemon juice.
This delicious and healthy stew traditionally contains lamb, beef, or chicken, and the secret to its rich flavor is the long, slow simmering process that gently brings the flavors together.
To learn more: Bamya - Turkish Okra Stew
Karadeniz Pidesi
Karadeniz Pidesi (or Kapali Bafra Pidesi) is a type of Turkish Pide made with a simple and delicious filling consisting of minced beef, onions, and spices.
This traditional staple Turkish dish is the perfect comfort food on a cold winter’s day as well as a hearty snack on a sunny summer’s day.
To learn more: Karadeniz Pidesi
Sulu Kofte
Sulu Kofte is a rich and hearty Turkish Meatball Soup / Stew consisting of juicy meatballs and vegetables cooked in a tomatoey broth. This traditional Turkish meatball dish is full of Mediterranean flavors and extremely easy to make.
To learn more: Sulu Kofte - Turkish Meatball Soup
Fellah Köftesi
Fellah Koftesi is a delicious vegetarian bulgur dish made with simple ingredients such as bulgur, semolina, onion, tomato and pepper paste, and spices.
You can serve this traditional Turkish recipe as a vegetarian main, an appetizer, or as a side dish.
To learn more: Fellah Koftesi
Kapuska - Cabbage and Mince Beef Stew
Kapuska is a comforting Turkish Stew made with cabbage, onions, and minced beef gently simmered in a tomato sauce. This popular Turkish Casserole has many versions.
You can use ground beef, lamb, or chicken, or omit the meat entirely for a vegan or vegetarian option.
To learn more: Kapuska- Turkish Cabbage Stew
Braised Green Beans
Mediterranean Green Beans (Zeytinyagli Taze Fasulye in Turkish) is a popular vegetarian/vegan dish that is cooked quite often in most Turkish homes during the summer.
This simple yet delicious dish can be made beforehand and usually served warm or at room temperature. All you need is green beans, ripened summer tomatoes, onions, and good-quality olive oil to cook this scrumptious summer dish.
To learn more: Mediterranean Green Beans (Taze Fasulye)
Kuru Fasulye
Kuru Fasulye is a hearty and rich Turkish stew made with white beans and diced lamb or beef slowly cooked in a tomato sauce.
It is packed with lots of flavors and is the ultimate comfort dish for cold winter nights.
To learn more: Kuru Fasulye
Mercimek Kofte - Lentil Meatballs
Mercimek Kofte (Turkish Vegan Lentil Meatballs) is a healthy and flavourful Turkish dish made with fine bulgur, red lentils, onions, tomato & red pepper paste, and spices.
These aromatic vegetarian meatballs are inexpensive and very easy to make. Just like Easy Meatless Cig Kofte, they are usually served as an appetizer, a healthy snack, or a part of a mezze platter.
To learn more: Mercimek Kofte (Vegan Lentil Meatballs)
Mucver - Courgette Fritters
Mücver (Turkish Courgette Fritters) are small vegetable pancakes that contain zucchini (or courgettes), egg, flour, spring onion, and fresh herbs.
These crispy, savory treats are easy to make and packed with flavor, making them a perfect addition to any meal or party.
To learn more: Mücver (Turkish Zucchini Fritters)
Gozleme - Turkish Pancakes
Gozleme, also known as Turkish Pancakes, is a delicious savory Turkish flatbread filled with a variety of ingredients like mince, cheese, spinach, or potatoes.
It's a popular street food in Turkey, often enjoyed for breakfast, a light meal, or as a snack.
To learn more: Gozleme (Turkish Pancakes)
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